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2025-26 School Year
Computer Programming with Scratch — 2025-26
Week 7: Python and the Terminal
Day 31: Python and VS Code

Day 31: Python and VS Code

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Objectives

  • I can verify that Python is installed on my Mac.
  • I can open VS Code and use the integrated terminal.
  • I can write a Python script and run it.

Warmup: Is Python Installed?

Before we write a single line of code, we need to confirm Python is installed on your Mac.

Open Spotlight Search

Press ⌘ Space (Command + Spacebar) to open Spotlight.

Search for IDLE

Type IDLE and press Return.

  • If IDLE opens — Python is installed. Click next to the >>> prompt, type print("Hello, world!"), and press Return. You should see Hello, world! printed on the next line. Close IDLE and move on to the Work Session.
  • If nothing comes up — Python is not installed. Go to Step 3.

Open CCSD Self Service

Press ⌘ Space again and search for Self Service. Open the CCSD Self Service app.

Install Python

Search for Python in Self Service and click Install. Wait for it to finish.

Confirm

Once the install completes, press ⌘ Space and search for IDLE again. It should open now.

Try It in IDLE

You have Python installed — let’s run one line of code right now. In the IDLE window, click next to the >>> prompt, type this exactly, and press Return:

print("Hello, world!")

You should see Hello, world! appear on the next line. That’s Python running.

If Self Service isn’t working or Python won’t install, raise your hand now. We’ll sort it out before the work session starts.

Work Session

Python Basics in the IDLE

We’ll explore some Python basics. Follow along with Mr. Willingham. Some of the examples are listed below if you want to try them on your own.

print("Hello, world!")
3 + 4
"Hello, " + "Python!"
a = 10
b = 20
a + b
c = a * b
c
d

Python in VS Code

It is usually easier to write Python in a code editor like VS Code instead of IDLE. Let’s set that up now.

Use Spotlight Search to open Visual Studio Code. Then follow along with Mr. Willingham. We’ll setup a project folder called python-basics.

  1. In VS Code, go to File → Open Folder.
  2. In the popup, choose your Desktop, then click New Folder and name it python-class. Click Open to open that folder in VS Code.
  3. In VS Code, go to File → New File and save it as hello.py inside your python-class folder.
  4. Type this exactly:
print("Hello, world!")
print("Python is working.")
  1. Save the File ⌘ S
  2. Run the code by pressing the Play button.
  • I opened VS Code and created a python-class folder.
  • I ran hello.py and saw both lines printed in the output terminal.

Closing

Today you used two of the most powerful tools in programming: the terminal and a code editor. Neither one has a point-and-click interface — you have to type commands and write code. That takes getting used to, but it’s how professional developers actually work.

Every day this week you’ll open VS Code and write Python. The setup you did today is the foundation for everything else.

Tomorrow: print(), variables, and drawing shapes with the turtle module.

Standards

  • MS-CS-FCP.3.2 — Students follow a precise sequence of terminal commands to set up a computing environment — a real-world application of sequencing and algorithmic thinking.
  • MS-CS-FCP.4.5 — Students implement a simple algorithm by writing, saving, and running their first Python script from the terminal.
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