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Over three lessons, you will learn how to use Scratch to create an interactive animation from start to finish. First, you will complete tutorials to build key skills in movement, interaction, and visual effects. Then, you will document your learning and plan your own project, deciding on the sprites, background, and interactions you want to include. Finally, you will develop your project, bringing your ideas to life using Scratch’s coding blocks. By the end of the lessons, you will have designed and built your own unique animation, showcasing your creativity and coding skills.
L4: Making Animations (Part 1)
L4: Making Animations (Part 1)
In this lesson, explore animation by creating a short project in Scratch! You’ll learn how to make characters move, control timing, and create sequences. By the end, you'll have a working animation draft that you can enhance and share.
Learning Objectives
I can explain the basic concepts of animation, such as movement, timing, and sequencing.
I can use Scratch to create a short animation.
I can apply coding and design skills to bring my ideas to life.
Key Terms
Animation – A series of images shown quickly to create the illusion of movement.
Sprite – A character or object in Scratch that can be animated.
Backdrop – The background of a Scratch project.
Script – A sequence of code blocks that control a sprite’s actions.
Motion Blocks – Scratch blocks used to move sprites.
Costumes – Different appearances of a sprite that help create animation.
Timing – Controlling when and how fast animations happen.
Loop – A block that repeats actions, useful for animations.
Broadcast – A way to send messages between sprites to trigger actions.
Sequencing – The order in which code is executed, essential for animations.
Key Ideas
Animation is created by changing a sprite’s position, costume, or both over time.
Timing and sequencing are important for smooth and realistic animations.
Loops and broadcasts can help make animations more efficient.
Scratch allows us to combine creativity and coding to make unique animations.
Guided Note-Taking
Complete the following as we go through the lesson:
Animation is created by ______________ over time.
A sprite is ______________.
A loop is useful because ______________.
I can make an animation smoother by ______________.
To trigger an action between sprites, I use ______________.
Activities
After accessing the Scratch website, navigate to Tutorials and work through all of the 5 Getting Started tutorials shown below.
Comprehension Questions (Homework)
Copy the questions into your workbook and answer them using full sentences.
What are two ways to animate a sprite in Scratch?
How does changing a sprite’s costume help create animation?
Why is timing important in animation?
What block would you use to repeat a movement in Scratch?
Describe how broadcasts can be used in an animation project.
L5: Making Animations (Part 2)
L5: Making Animations (Part 2)
In this lesson, you’ll complete a series of Scratch tutorials to develop your skills in animation and interactivity. You will document your learning in your workbook and create a new webpage called "My Scratch Work" on your Google Site. On this page, you’ll explain what Scratch is, summarize what you have learned, and plan a new project using the skills you've gained. In the next class, you will develop this project in Scratch.
Learning Objectives
I can complete Scratch Basics tutorials and document my learning.
I can create a webpage to showcase my Scratch skills and summarize what I have learned.
I can design a new Scratch project using the skills I have practiced.
Key Terms
Sprite – A character or object in a Scratch project.
Stage – The background area where sprites move and interact.
Script – A sequence of blocks that control actions in a Scratch project.
Event – A block that starts an action (e.g., "when green flag clicked").
Loop – A block that repeats actions multiple times.
Conditional Statement – A block that runs code only if a condition is met (e.g., "if-then").
Variable – A way to store information that can change during the animation.
Broadcast – A way to send messages between sprites in Scratch.
Sound Effect – A recorded or imported sound added to an animation.
Interactivity – Allowing users to control parts of the animation (e.g., using arrow keys).
Glide Block – Moves a sprite smoothly to a specific location.
Hide/Show Blocks – Make a sprite disappear or reappear in the animation.
Costume – Different appearances of a sprite that can be switched during an animation.
Backdrop – The background image of the Scratch stage.
Debugging – Finding and fixing errors in a Scratch project.
Key Ideas
Completing Scratch tutorials helps build animation and interactivity skills.
Documenting progress with screenshots and explanations reinforces learning.
Creating a webpage to showcase work helps organize and present learning.
Planning a Scratch project before starting helps structure ideas and goals.
Scratch projects can combine movement, sound, and user input.
Keyboard and mouse inputs allow for interactive elements in projects.
Looping blocks make animations smoother and more efficient.
"If-then" blocks allow sprites to react to different conditions.
Broadcasting messages helps sprites interact with each other.
Creativity is key when designing a new Scratch project.
Task 1: Complete Scratch BASICS Tutorials
You will complete all of the following Scratch tutorials to improve your skills:
✔ Use Arrow Keys – Move a sprite using keyboard controls.
✔ Change Size – Make a sprite grow or shrink.
✔ Glide Around – Move smoothly across the screen.
✔ Make It Spin – Rotate a sprite with code.
✔ Record A Sound – Add a custom sound to an animation.
✔ Hide and Show – Make a sprite disappear and reappear.
After every tutorial:
Take a screenshot of your code and sprite/s.
Write a short sentence explaining what you learned and how you made Scratch perform the action.
Save all screenshots and explanations in your workbook.
Task 2: Create Your ‘My Animation Work’ Webpage
Once you have completed all tutorials and added them to your workbook, you will create a new webpage on your Google Site called "My Animation Work."
Your webpage must include:
✅ An introduction – Explain what Scratch is and why it is useful.
✅ A summary – Write about what you are now able to do in Scratch because of learning from the tutorials.
✅ Add a screenshot from your favourite tutorial to illustrate your new skills.
Task 3: Planning Your Own Scratch Project
Now that you have learned new Scratch skills, you will plan your own creative project!
Use this checklist to help you generate ideas for your project. Your project must include all of these things.
✔ Move a sprite using arrow keys.
✔ Change the size of a sprite dynamically.
✔ Make a sprite glide smoothly across the screen.
✔ Rotate a sprite using spin effects.
✔ Make a sprite hide and reappear at specific times.
✔ Use "if-then" logic to control interactions.
✔ Broadcast messages between sprites.
On your "My Scratch Work" webpage, write a short project plan. It must include the following headings and descriptions:
🔹 Project Idea (What will your project do?)
🔹 Skills Used (List the Scratch skills you will apply)
🔹 Sprites & Stage (What characters and backgrounds will you need? Are you going to create them or use ones from Scratch library?)
🔹 Interactions (What will the user be able to do?)
🔹 Extra Features (Any special effects or additional enhancements)
🚀 Next class, you will start building this project in Scratch!
Comprehension Questions
How can you make a sprite move using the keyboard?
What block is used to make a sprite glide smoothly across the screen?
Explain how to add a recorded sound to a Scratch project.
List three Scratch skills you have learned and describe how they can be used in a project.
L6: Making Animations (Part 3)
L6: Making Animations (Part 3)
In this lesson, you will start developing your Scratch project based on the plan you created. First, you will set up your sprites and backgrounds while waiting for project approval. Once approved, you will begin adding movement, interactions, and special effects using Scratch blocks. As you work, you’ll test your project, troubleshoot any issues, and improve your design. By the end of the lesson, you should have a working version of your project with key Scratch features included.
For homework you will continue refining and expanding your project.
Learning Objectives
✅ I can begin building my Scratch project based on my plan.
✅ I can use Scratch blocks to make my project interactive.
✅ I can test and improve my project as I work on it.
Class Activities
Task 1: Get Ready to Start (10 minutes)
Look at your project plan.
Make sure your idea includes all required skills.
If you need to change anything, update your plan now.
✅ Check-in: Show your project plan to the teacher for approval.
💡 While waiting for approval, you can set up your sprites and background in Scratch.
Task 2: Set Up Your Project (15 minutes)
Open Scratch and create a new project.
Add your sprites (characters/objects).
Choose a background or create your own.
Place your sprites where they should start.
✅ Check-in: Click the green flag. Do your sprites appear in the right place?
Task 3: Make Your Sprites Move (20 minutes)
Make your main sprite move with arrow keys.
Make a sprite glide smoothly across the screen.
Make a sprite spin or rotate when a key is pressed.
Change a sprite’s size dynamically (make it grow/shrink).
✅ Check-in: Test each movement. Does everything work? If not, fix it!
Task 4: Add Interactions (20 minutes)
Make a sprite hide and reappear at specific times.
Use if-then logic to control how sprites react.
Use broadcast messages so sprites can talk to each other.
✅ Check-in: Test your project again. Ask a classmate to try it.
Task 5: Test & Improve (10 minutes)
Play your project from start to finish.
Fix anything that isn’t working.
Ask a classmate to test your project and give feedback.
✅ Check-in: Write down one thing that works well and one thing to improve.
Guided Notes
Write down your progress in these sections:
🔹 Project Name: ________
🔹 Sprites Used: ________
🔹 Background Chosen: ________
🔹 Scratch Features Used: ________
🔹 Challenges & How I Fixed Them: ________
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