Python lesson 22: Project: number guessing game

What your child will learn

We are learning to plan a game in steps before coding.

Success looks like

• I can plan a game in steps before coding.
• I can combine random, while and if.
• I can test every branch of a game.

Key words

algorithm · plan · test · random

What to have ready

• A device with a web browser (the code runs in the browser – nothing to install)
• Paper for tracing
• A keyboard helps for typing code (a tablet or phone works too)

The big ideas (for the adult)

Plan first: pick a secret number, ask for a guess, say too low or too high, repeat until right, then say how many tries.

A while loop keeps asking; an if / elif / else gives the message; a counter counts the tries.

Test with guesses that are too low, too high, exactly right, and right first time.

Worked example

secret = 6
guess = int(input())
while guess != secret:
    if guess < secret:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")
    guess = int(input())
print("Got it!")

It prints:

Too low
Got it!

The lesson, step by step

Checklist for the project (teacher or parent)

The questions in this lesson are marked by Classfern. The program your child makes at the end is judged by you, with this checklist – it is not marked by computer. For each line, choose the description that fits best.

• Planning: the steps were written down before coding
  No plan → Some steps written → A clear plan that was followed
• It works: the program does what the plan says
  Does not run → Runs, with some bugs → Works for normal inputs → Works for normal and edge inputs
• Testing: different inputs were tried, including edge cases
  Not tested → Tested once → Several tests, including an edge case
• Readable: clear variable names and helpful comments
  Hard to follow → Mostly clear → Clear names and comments throughout