TLAC · Think Like A Computer
Learn and play
Discover programming one instruction at a time. Follow the turtle, explore seven games, and print labeled boards and pieces to play away from the screen.
Learn programming
START HERE
8 basics of programming
Learn about instruction order, variables, conditions, functions, input and output, loops, and lists. Follow each example step by step.
Open the basics tutorial →KEEP LEARNING
Advanced concepts
Explore recursion and classes through simple turtle examples. Compare loops with recursion and watch each program run.
Open the advanced tutorial →7 GAMES · TLAC INSTRUCTION CARDS
Games in TLAC
Snake, Pac-Man, Sokoban, Minesweeper, Frogger, Bomberman, and Conway’s Game of Life. Follow all seven programs through numbered, plain-language cards, including their functions, decisions, and loops.
Open the game instruction cards →ALGORITHMS · TLAC CARDS & DEBUGGER
Insertion sort with pyramids
Read the TLAC instruction cards, then step through the sorting process with Start, Previous, Next, and Finish. Watch the active instruction, variables, and pyramid moves as 5, 4, 3, 1, 2 becomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
ALGORITHMS · TLAC CARDS & DEBUGGER
Explore a maze
Guide the turtle to the goal flag using the left-hand rule. Read the TLAC instruction cards, then step through each path check, turn, and move on the maze board.
Print and play
PRINTABLE PDF · 8 A4 PAGES
All board sizes, with coordinate labels
Seven sizes for the games and lessons: 6×6, 8×8, 10×10, 11×11, 15×11, 15×15, and 19×14. Columns have letters and rows have numbers, so you can explain placements such as A1 or C4. Every square is 18 mm to fit the existing pieces.
The two smallest boards share a sheet. The 15×15 and 19×14 boards each join across two sheets, with assembly instructions included. A1 is the top-left square, corresponding to program coordinates (0, 0).
Open all labeled boards →PRINTABLE PDF · A4
All object cutouts
99 pieces: pyramids in five sizes, goal flags, turtles, eggs, walls, stars, diamonds, and custom markers.
Open the object cutouts PDF →Print the PDFs on A4 paper at 100% / Actual size so the pieces fit the boards. Print the board collection single-sided and use the page index to choose the sizes you need. For large boards, trim the joining edges and tape the backs together. Cut along the dashed lines on the object sheet.