Let's Learn Coding Through Scratch!
Part 2: Scratch Coding Fundamentals
Scratch Basics
Now that we have had time to explore Scratch a bit, lets begin to focus in on some of Scratch's basic capabilities. Open up the PDF above called Getting Started Guide Scratch. Complete the first 10 steps of the guide. You will be learning about the following controls in Scratch:
When you are finished, be sure to save your creation as "S21 YLN Getting Started". Extending Your Learning: Below are some digital cards that help explain some other programming skills in Scratch. Take a look!
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Scratch Resources
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Saving/Sharing in Scratch
One of the many great features of Scratch is the community of programmers that use this language and how they share with each other! The Scratch website has many ways to share and collaborate. In order to do so, however, it is important to understand the saving and sharing basics. Take a moment to watch the tutorial below on saving and sharing projects in Scratch. You will have a basic understanding of how to save, share, and turn in your creations to Google Classroom.
One of the many great features of Scratch is the community of programmers that use this language and how they share with each other! The Scratch website has many ways to share and collaborate. In order to do so, however, it is important to understand the saving and sharing basics. Take a moment to watch the tutorial below on saving and sharing projects in Scratch. You will have a basic understanding of how to save, share, and turn in your creations to Google Classroom.
To practice the sharing aspects, you will need to turn in your finished Scratch project from Scratch Basics activity you just finished. Copy the Share link to your Diving Into Scratch project and turn it into the Part 2: Scratch Coding Fundamentals - Scratch Basics assignment in Google Classroom.
Scratch 10 Block Challenge
Click Here for the 10 Blocks Challenge Digital Instruction Sheet. The goal is to create the best Scratch Game possible using only the 10 blocks that are provided. Remember, you can use the blocks as many times as possible, but you have to use all of them AT LEAST once.
Copy the Share link to your Diving Into Scratch project and turn it into the Part 2: Scratch Coding Fundamentals - Scratch 10 Block Challenge assignment in Google Classroom.
Copy the Share link to your Diving Into Scratch project and turn it into the Part 2: Scratch Coding Fundamentals - Scratch 10 Block Challenge assignment in Google Classroom.
Scratch Debug It Activity!
Click Here for the Debug It Digital Instruction Sheet. Follow the instructions carefully, and debug all 5 scenarios. Create a way to record the following information for each of the 5 scenarios:
- The Debug It scenario number.
- What was the problem?
- How did you identify the problem?
- How did you fix the problem?
Maze Game Activity
Phase 1: Lets push ourselves a bit beyond the basics and try to create a game. The challenge for this activity is to create a Maze game:
Challenge: To guide a sprite of your creation (see example below) through a maze of your design without touching the sides of your maze.
Requirements/Rules:
If you are having trouble coming up with the correct coding/setup for this activity, take a look at this PDF describing the Maze Game Activity. Create your own sprite by using Paint Editor and maze design for the sprite to go through. If you need help drawing your sprite, check out the Paint Editor tutorial videos on the Scratch website. Your sprite can be a simple geometric shape, or maybe something a little more.
Challenge: To guide a sprite of your creation (see example below) through a maze of your design without touching the sides of your maze.
Requirements/Rules:
- The maze must be complex enough for the player to have to perform at least four different movements with key controls.
- The sprite navigating the maze must be controlled by keys.
- If the sprite touches the sides at all, it must go back to your start line.
- When the sprite reaches the finish line, have an indicator that they have succeeded!
- Be sure that the start and finish line are clearly marked and understood.
If you are having trouble coming up with the correct coding/setup for this activity, take a look at this PDF describing the Maze Game Activity. Create your own sprite by using Paint Editor and maze design for the sprite to go through. If you need help drawing your sprite, check out the Paint Editor tutorial videos on the Scratch website. Your sprite can be a simple geometric shape, or maybe something a little more.
Phase 2: Now lets take a look at adding some extra challenge to your maze.
- Brainstorm ideas on how to make your maze more challenging then the first level. Record them somewhere (Google Doc, write on a piece of paper, notebook, etc).
- Take 2 of the ideas for increasing the challenge and design a 2nd level in your game. We will talk about how to make a 2nd level attainable in class.
Pong Game Activity
Intro: If you ever wondered how video/computer games got started, Pong is the answer. Take a look at a few of the resources below and learn a little more about Pong and its off shoot, Arkanoid.
Phase 1: Now that you have had a chance to check out the original Pong game, lets make our own. Follow the instructions in the Pong Phase 1 Worksheet below. Note that is this a one player game, and the paddles move horizontally instead of vertically. As you build and play your creation, note some of the other differences in this version of the game. Feel free to help each other out if you get stuck!
Pong Phase 1 Worksheet
Phase 1: Now that you have had a chance to check out the original Pong game, lets make our own. Follow the instructions in the Pong Phase 1 Worksheet below. Note that is this a one player game, and the paddles move horizontally instead of vertically. As you build and play your creation, note some of the other differences in this version of the game. Feel free to help each other out if you get stuck!
Pong Phase 1 Worksheet
Pong Game Completion Checklists
Basic Sprite Movement in Scratch
In this Fundamentals of Scratch activity, we will explore how a sprite can move on a screen by walking, gliding, and spinning. There are 3 videos and 1 tutorial card below that will help you learn these programming fundamentals. Practice what they show you. Once you get the hang of it, complete the Movement Practice Objectives listed below on a Scratch project. Include all sprites on the same project.
Movement Tutorial Videos
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Movement Tutorial Cards
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Sprite Movement Practice Objectives
- Create a sprite that walks across the stage and back at 25 steps at a time..
- Create a sprite that glides from the top of the screen to the bottom and back.
- Create a sprite does a clockwise 360˚ spin, and then a counter-clockwise 360˚spin.
- All actions should start at the same time with the Flag click.
- Title your creation "S21 YLN Movement Fundamentals".
Rhythymic Movement/Dancing in Scratch
Now lets take a look at a way of animating a sprite through rhythmic movement. Follow the tutorial video and 2 starter cards in a new Scratch project. Create a sprite for each, and complete the directions they give. When complete, turn in to Google Classroom.
Rhythmic Movement Tutorial Videos
Sprite Movement Practice Objectives
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Rhythmic Movement Tutorial Cards
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Color Changing in Scratch
One way to add variety, function, and creativity to your Scratch creations is to be able to change colors of sprites. Follow the tutorial video and starter card in a new Scratch project. Complete the objectives below in your Scratch creation. When complete, turn in to Google Classroom.
Color Change Tutorial Videos
Sprite Color Change Practice Objectives
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Color Change Tutorial Cards
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Sprite Animation & Speech in Scratch
Storytelling can be a significant part of a users experience with an program, especially in gaming. Speech/dialogue and animating sprites is are important tools for storytelling in Scratch. Take a look at the starter cards below. Also, you might want to check the Tips section in the top menu of the Scratch UI for more ideas on speech & animation.
Animation & Speech Tutorial Videos
Animation & Speech Practice Objectives
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Animation & Speech Tutorial Cards
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Sprite Control Options
Sprite Control Tutorial Videos
Sprite Control Practice Objectives
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Sprite Control Tutorial Cards
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- What is the difference between a stage and backdrop?
- What is a sprite?
- How does Scratch track where sprites appear on the stage?
Part 3: Creating in Scratch