Coding scratch
- 1. Scratch
- 2. What is scratch? • Scratch is a free educational programming language (a language that code instructions can be written in). • It was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group and it is free to use! You just need to create a free account. • It is aimed towards children aged 8-16 but can be used by anyone.
- 3. We will be giving you step by step instructions to create a short video using coding. Once you become familiar with the features of scratch please then involve your children in the coding process. Work together and create another small video using different codes and commands. Watch the video on the next slide, we will be creating a video similar to that one together. How does Scratch work?
- 4. Once you have watched the video please follow this link to the scratch website.
- 5. When you reach the website click on create
- 6. When you click create you will see this on your screen. You can watch the video or click on the cross to get rid of it.
- 7. Scratch has 3 areas A coding area, This is where you drag your codes in. A block palette. This is where all the codes are stored A stage area, your codes will affect the stage.
- 8. We need to start dragging codes from this side to the middle. We always start with this code. This code is in the events section and is ‘when green flag clicked’. This just means we are ready to start coding. Feel free to choose another sprite/charcter by clicking on this icon. This icon lets you choose a background.
- 9. I have changed my background and sprite. Your next Key code is in the motion section and is the ‘go to x and y’, this is key because you need to think about where your character will start with. Which place do you want your character to be in. Before you drag that code in the middle place your character in the area where it will start off with. Then x and y coordinates will change, then drag that code in the middle. When you drag your codes in the middle remember to place them onto the bottom of the code already placed. It will clip on like jigsaw.
- 10. Making your sprite move Once positioned you drag the ‘glide 1 sec x to y’ code to the middle. If you want your character to move slowly increase the seconds. You do not need to touch the x and y coordinates it will already be done for you. To make your character move you drag your character where you want it to move.
- 11. Making your sprite say something If you go into the Looks section you will find the ‘say hello for 2 seconds’ code. Drag that code into the middle and clip it on. If you want to add your own message in just click in the Hello box and delete hello and type your own message in.
- 12. See if it works! Click on this green flag to see if your codes are working
- 13. Next steps If your short video worked the way you wanted it to well done! Please play around with the different codes and see if you can make it do something different. Try adding two sprites in your project. If you feel comfortable get your children involved! If your short clip didn’t end up the way you wanted please don’t give up and try again. Coding involves critical thinking, systematic problem solving, and lots of perseverance.