Inside a YaizY Coding Class: From Log-In to Lightbulb Moments

Authored by Ms Maggie

When students log in to YaizY’s Intro to Coding with Python class, the screen might be digital, but the energy feels alive. Within minutes, teachers and students are connecting, asking questions, and jumping into a quick warm-up that gets them thinking like programmers. In this walkthrough, we’ll take you inside a YaizY lesson being led by our teacher John to see how intentional design, real-time feedback, and project-based learning make coding both accessible and exciting for every student.

Pre-Class: Setting the Stage for Success

Before class begins, YaizY teachers prepare with purpose. Each instructor reviews the lesson, personalizing content for their students, and collaborates with the on-site Learning Coach — a classroom teacher who supports students in person. Together, they align on accommodations and strategies to ensure every learner is supported from the start.

“Collaborating with the Learning Coach is key! They are my eyes and ears in the classroom; giving me at little more than a virtual presence for the students!”

0:00–0:10 | Kicking Off with Connection and Curiosity

As class begins, the Learning Coach appears on screen briefly to touch base with John before dashing off to support students with log in. As students trickle into the virtual room, John welcomes each student by name. A lighthearted “Question of the Day” builds rapport and eases students into participation. After a quick check-in, John highlights a few standout coding projects from last week, celebrating creative solutions and inviting students to share how they approached the same challenge differently.

This simple routine — connection, reflection, celebration — establishes a supportive classroom culture that encourages every student to contribute.

“I try to greet students just as I would if they were walking into my classroom. I want them to feel seen.”

0:10–0:30 | From Concept to Connection

Today’s topic is Artistic Effects in Python. The teacher hooks attention with a scenario, inviting students to supply the details and imagine how code can power art. Curiosity builds as the class works through interactive slides with gamified questions and prediction activities.

Students test ideas, respond in chat, and use emojis to vote on outcomes. Every response becomes real-time formative data that guides pacing and support.

Then comes the collaborative “turn and talk.” The Learning Coach pairs students in the classroom to discuss:

“How would we change this code to turn the circle into a square and make the border less thick?”

Afterward, the coach spotlights students with strong explanations to share with the class. This hybrid collaboration blends online expertise with in-person connection, creating engagement that feels personal and dynamic.

0:30–0:50 | Guided Creation: Coding a Spirograph with Style

Students are ready to create. Using Python’s Turtle library, they code colorful spirographs.

When several students’ designs form jagged lines instead of smooth spirals, the teacher showcalls one screen (with permission):

“Notice the turn angle — it’s just a bit too large. Let’s fix it together.”

The correction runs live, the spiral smooths, and the chat lights up with “Ohhh!” moments. Soon after, another student’s creative rainbow variation earns a class shout-out.

“I strive to make clear to the students that mistakes and errors in coding happen and are not to be ashamed of. Learning to fix your mistakes is a key element to understanding programming!”

By the end, every student has produced a unique piece of code-powered art — proof of mastery and imagination working hand in hand.

Conclusion: Where Real Skills Meet Real Engagement

In less than an hour, students didn’t just learn Python — they practiced communication, creativity, and problem-solving. The lesson’s structure, the partnership between teacher and Learning Coach, and the use of real-time feedback transformed a virtual coding class into an authentic, collaborative learning experience.

At YaizY, we believe every student deserves to discover their creativity and confidence through technology. 

Connect with us to make that vision a reality in your classrooms: https://yaizy.io/contact-yaizy