Workshop

Overview of Scratch

The Stage

Dimensions and Directions on the stage 480 by 360

Code Blocks

Stack blocks are code blocks with a notch at the top or a bump at the bottom. The notches and bumps serve as visual indicators that identify how the blocks can be snapped together to create programming logic. The majority of code blocks provided by Scratch are stack blocks.

Hat blocks are code blocks with a rounded or curved top and a bump at the bottom, visually indicating that it can be snapped on top of other stack blocks. Hat blocks provide the ability to create event-driven scripts.

Reporter blocks is a code block that has either rounded or angled sides and is specifically designed as a mechanism for providing input for other code blocks to process.

Commenting

Comments within a script help the reader understand the Scratch program. It might also help the programmer later and/or if someone else tries to work with your scripts, she will be glad to see the scripts explained in comments.

Sprites

• Moving a Sprite
  • How far
  • How fast?
  • Which direction?

Concepts in Movement

• Changing values in instructions
• Initialization
• Absolute vs relative movement
  • Go to and Glide are absolute
  • Move and Change x (or y) by are relative.

Task 1: Construct an animation that causes the cat (or any sprite) to move 100 steps and then turn 90 degrees counterclockwise each time it is run (by clicking the green flag).

Variation: Have the cat draw a square, triangle, heptagon.

Where do Sprites come from?

Costumes and Costume changes (Absolute vs. Relative)

Sounds

Backgrounds

Loops

Task 2: Make the cat and mouse run forever.

Conditionals: Forever and Forever if

Task 3: When the mouse touches the cat, the cat looks sad.

Adding Interactivity #1

Task 4: Move the cat move using the arrow keys.

Sensing

Speaking and Thinking Sprites

Task 5: When the cat catches the mouse, the mouse says something and his appearance changes.

Intro to Variables

Task 6: Every time the cat catches the mouse, the mouse scores a point and the mouse loses 10 health points.

Communication between sprites: Broadcast & Receive

Task 7: When the when the cat touches the mouse three times, a new sprite appears on the stage and says, “ I am here to help.” Option: Change backgroundpl

Variables and Text: The ASK command.

More with text: the JOIN Command.

Task 8: When the when the cat asks the user their name, he replies “Hello, ‘name.’ I am hungry for a mouse.'"

Animation with costume changes

Phase II Exploring the examples

Phase III: Advanced Concepts

• Changing size, appearance, speed and /or position, with variables.
• Conditional
• If and If Else
• Comparing Values in a conditional statement
• Compound conditions AND & OR
• Show and Hide
• Random Numbers
• Graphic effects
• Pen up and pen down

Phase IV: Create your own

Phase V: Share out and Q & A

References

Armani, M. & Ben-Ari, M. (2013). Computer Science Concepts with Scratch, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Ford Jr., J. Scratch Programming for Teens, 1st Edition (Kindle Locations 1042-1044). Delmar Learning. Kindle Edition