Introduction to Block Coding: SCRATCH

• Learn movement, rotation and drawing tools in Scratch.
• Practice your skills by navigating a maze.
• Consolidate and extend your skills by drawing your name (or initials).

Teacher Notes

There are two options for delivering this lesson. Both options assume students have previously created an account in Scratch and are ready to begin their first project.

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Option 1: Watch the Intro to Movement in Scratch youTube video on slide 5.

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Option 2: Use/alter slides 6 - 13 to deliver the lesson at your own pace.

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Application and consolidation activities begin on slide 14.

Create a

new program

in SCRATCH

username

This is where we will drag & drop

code blocks

to make our SCRATCH program!

username

Movement in Scratch

As a class, follow along with the activity to draw a square. You will learn how to move, rotate and draw using a sprite.

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

Begin your program with the two blocks shown.

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What happens when you repeatedly run your program?

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

You need to return the sprite to the front of the screen. To do this, add in a go to block.

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What happens when you repeatedly run this new program?

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

Why does it look like nothing happened?

Your sprite is moving so fast that you can’t actually see it moving!

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Try adding a wait block to your code.

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

It will be helpful to track where the sprite has travelled. To do this, add the pen extension to your program.

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The extension menu is in the bottom left corner of your screen.

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Choose the pen tool from the menu that appears.

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Introduction: Movement in Scratch

Before the sprite starts to move, put the pen down. The sprite will trace its path as it moves.

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

Try adding a turn to change the direction of your sprite.

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Remember to use wait blocks if you want to see your sprite make individual movements.

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

As you add more code blocks to move your sprite around the screen, you may find your sprite is leaving a trail behind it.

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Use the point in direction and erase all blocks to reset the sprite and erase its trail at the beginning of your program.

Introduction: Movement in Scratch

Can you add more blocks to make your sprite move in a complete square?

Apply your Skills: Movement in Scratch

It’s time to apply what you’ve learned. Can you use coding blocks to lead a sprite through a maze?

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Try these mazes to test your new skills!

Consolidate: Movement in Scratch

Use the tools you’ve learned in this lesson to draw your name (or initials) on the screen. How can you use the pen up and pen down blocks to separate letters?