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Day 21: Brainstorm & Team Formation

Monday, April 20th, 2026

Read the entire objective, warmup, and work session before you start. The work session today is an offline, paper-based activity — so read the instructions now. You won’t get back on the computer today.

Objectives

  • I can form a team and assign roles for the Video Game Design Project.
  • I can describe my game concept in clear sentences.
  • I can sketch a rough visual of my game’s character, world, or key scene.

Warmup: The Project

For the next two weeks you will work in a team of up to three people to design and build an original video game in Scratch. Your project must be appropriate for players ages 11–14 and cannot borrow artwork or characters from existing games.

Your finished project will include:

  • Concept art (drawn on paper)
  • Game Design Document (written in Word) What is a GDD?
  • Presentation (in PowerPoint)
  • Prototype (built in Scratch)

Each person on your team will take a leadership role, but everyone contributes to every part.

RoleWhat This Person Leads
Lead ProgrammerWriting and debugging the Scratch code. Everyone can help, but this person leads the programming efforts.
Lead WriterThe Game Design Document and story/description. Everyone writes, but this person leads the writing efforts.
Lead ArtistConcept art, sprites, and backgrounds. If you need art for the game or PowerPoint, this person is in charge.
Lead PresenterThe PowerPoint presentation and class demo.

Groups have at most three people. If your group has three members, one person will lead two roles. If your group has two members, divide the four roles between you. If you work alone, you will lead all four roles.

Two-Week Project Schedule

DayDatePlan
21Mon 4/20Brainstorm Worksheet — paper, offline (today)
22Tue 4/21Game Design Document — Word Online, shared with your team
23Wed 4/22Box Art — art supplies, drawn on paper (bring supplies)
24Thu 4/23Finish Box Art & GDD — both due by end of class
25Fri 4/24Start Prototype & Presentation — Scratch + PowerPoint
26Mon 4/27Continue Prototype & Presentation
27Tue 4/28Finish Prototype & Presentation — both due by end of class
28Wed 4/29Practice & Peer Feedback — rehearse + swap prototypes
29Thu 4/30Revisions — use peer feedback to make final changes
30Fri 5/1Final Presentations & Share — present to the class

Work Session: Brainstorm Worksheet

After the warmup, Mr. Willingham will discuss the project with the class and answer any questions. Then, you will form your teams and complete the Brainstorm Worksheet together on paper. This worksheet will help you start to develop your game concept and assign team roles.

Pick up the Brainstorm Worksheet from Mr. Willingham and complete it with your team. You will turn it in at the end of class.

Closing: Exit Ticket

Before you leave, pick up an Exit Ticket from Mr. Willingham and complete it on your own — not with your team. Turn it in as you walk out.

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