Scratch Introduction Guide

A Teacher’s Guide to Getting Started with Scratch

What is Scratch?

Scratch is a free, visual programming language developed by MIT. It allows users to create interactive stories, games, animations, and more by dragging and dropping code blocks instead of typing text.

Key Features:

Why Use Scratch in Education?

Benefits for Students

  1. Engagement: Students are motivated by creating their own projects
  2. Computational Thinking: Develops problem-solving and logical thinking
  3. Creativity: Encourages creative expression through coding
  4. Collaboration: Sharing and remixing projects builds community
  5. Low Barrier to Entry: No prior coding experience needed
  6. Immediate Feedback: See results instantly

Benefits for Teachers

  1. Easy to Learn: Intuitive interface, quick to master
  2. Free Resources: Extensive tutorials and community support
  3. Curriculum Integration: Can be used across subjects
  4. Assessment Tools: Built-in sharing and portfolio features
  5. Student Engagement: Increases motivation and participation

Getting Started

Creating an Account

  1. Go to: https://scratch.mit.edu
  2. Click: “Join Scratch” (top right)
  3. Fill in:
    • Username (must be unique)
    • Password (at least 8 characters)
    • Email address
    • Date of birth
    • Country
  4. Verify email (check your inbox)
  5. Start creating!

Offline Editor (Alternative)

If internet is unreliable:

  1. Download Scratch Desktop from: https://scratch.mit.edu/download
  2. Install on computers
  3. Projects can be saved locally
  4. Can be shared online later

Scratch Interface Overview

Main Components

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  [Menu Bar]  Scratch - Project Name            │
├──────────┬──────────────────────┬───────────────┤
│          │                      │               │
│  Stage   │   Scripts Area      │  Blocks       │
│  Area    │   (Code Building)   │  Palette      │
│          │                      │               │
│          │                      │               │
│          ├──────────────────────┤               │
│          │   Sprite List        │               │
│          │   (Characters)       │               │
│          └──────────────────────┘               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. Stage Area

2. Sprite List

3. Blocks Palette

4. Scripts Area

5. Tabs

Essential Blocks for Beginners

Motion Blocks (Blue)

move 10 steps          → Move sprite forward
turn 15 degrees        → Rotate sprite
go to x: 0 y: 0        → Move to specific position
point in direction 90  → Face a direction

Looks Blocks (Purple)

say Hello! for 2 secs   → Display text bubble
think Hmm... for 2 secs → Display thought bubble
change size by 10       → Make bigger/smaller
switch costume to [ ]   → Change appearance

Events Blocks (Yellow)

when green flag clicked → Start when flag clicked
when [space] key pressed → Start when key pressed
when this sprite clicked → Start when clicked

Control Blocks (Orange)

wait 1 secs            → Pause execution
repeat 10              → Loop a set number of times
forever                → Loop forever
if <> then             → Conditional statement

Sound Blocks (Pink)

play sound [meow]      → Play a sound
play note 60 for 0.5 beats → Play musical note

Your First Project: Moving Cat

Step 1: Start a New Project

  1. Click “File” → “New”
  2. You’ll see the default cat sprite

Step 2: Make the Cat Move

  1. Click on the Motion category (blue)
  2. Drag move 10 steps block to scripts area
  3. Click the block - cat moves!
  4. Try changing the number (e.g., move 50 steps)

Step 3: Add an Event

  1. Click Events category (yellow)
  2. Drag when green flag clicked to top of move 10 steps
  3. Blocks snap together
  4. Click green flag - cat moves!

Step 4: Make it Continuous

  1. Click Control category (orange)
  2. Drag forever block around move 10 steps
  3. Click green flag - cat moves continuously!

Step 5: Add Bouncing

  1. From Motion, drag if on edge, bounce inside forever
  2. Cat now bounces off edges!

Step 6: Add Sound

  1. Click Sound category (pink)
  2. Drag play sound [meow] inside forever
  3. Cat makes sound while moving!

Your code should look like:

when green flag clicked
forever
    move 10 steps
    if on edge, bounce
    play sound [meow]
end

Common Patterns and Concepts

Pattern 1: Starting Scripts

Always start with an event block:

Pattern 2: Loops

Three types of loops:

  1. repeat 10 - Do something 10 times
  2. forever - Do something continuously
  3. repeat until <> - Do until condition is met

Pattern 3: Conditions

Making decisions:

if <> then
    [do something]
end

Or with alternatives:

if <> then
    [do this]
else
    [do that]
end

Pattern 4: Variables

Storing information:

  1. Create variable: Click “Variables” → “Make a Variable”
  2. Name it (e.g., “Score”)
  3. Use it: set [Score] to 0 or change [Score] by 1

Teaching Tips

For Beginners

  1. Start Simple: Begin with basic movement
  2. One Concept at a Time: Don’t overwhelm
  3. Hands-On: Let them explore and experiment
  4. Celebrate Small Wins: Every working script is success
  5. Use Analogies: Compare to real-world actions

For Mixed Levels

  1. Differentiated Tasks:
    • Beginners: Follow step-by-step
    • Intermediate: Modify examples
    • Advanced: Create from scratch
  2. Peer Support: Pair advanced with beginners
  3. Extension Challenges: Provide extra tasks for fast finishers

Classroom Management

  1. Pair Programming: Two students, one computer
  2. Showcase Time: Regular sharing of projects
  3. Troubleshooting: Teach students to help each other
  4. Save Often: Remind students to save work
  5. Account Management: Use class accounts or student accounts

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake 1: Blocks Don’t Snap

Problem: Blocks won’t connect Solution: Make sure you’re dragging to the right place (top or bottom of block)

Mistake 2: Nothing Happens

Problem: Clicked green flag, nothing happens Solution:

Mistake 3: Sprite Disappears

Problem: Sprite goes off screen Solution: Use go to x: 0 y: 0 to bring it back

Mistake 4: Too Fast/Slow

Problem: Animation too fast or slow Solution:

Mistake 5: Can’t Find Block

Problem: Looking for specific block Solution:

Assessment Ideas

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

What to Look For

Resources for Teachers

Official Resources

Curriculum Integration

Community

Next Steps

  1. Practice: Create your own projects
  2. Explore: Look at community projects
  3. Plan: Design a lesson using Scratch
  4. Share: Connect with other teachers
  5. Implement: Try Scratch with your students!

Quick Reference Card

Essential Blocks

Keyboard Shortcuts

Tips

Support

Need Help?

Remember: Everyone starts as a beginner. Be patient with yourself and your students. Coding is about experimentation and learning from mistakes!