Module 1- Programming with Scratch

Module 1- Programming with Scratch

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:

1. Define Scratch Programming

2. Identify the basic functions of a Scratch environment

Questions to Ponder

This module will guide you through a fun Scratch tutorial for kids! We’ll go
over a step-by-step guide for a Scratch project, and then you’ll even see how
to make your own game. Building a Scratch coding project is much easier
than you might think! So let's begin!

“How to start scratch programming?”

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The Concepts

Brief History

When we trace the history of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),

a private research university. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, we will see that part of
it has been their mission to contribute to the education of children in computing.

Computers can be used to control many types of

devices like robots. Robots need to be programmed
with instructions to tell them what to do and these
need to be written in languages like Logo. Logo is a
simple computer programming language which can
be used to control devices.

In 1967 the LOGO programming language was born through geniuses Daniel
G. Bobrow, Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert, and Cynthia Solomon. LOGO allows a
child to control the movement (Move and Turn commands) of “turtle graphic,” which
are blocks of program commands. Their study revealed that child can learn the
principle of geometry by playing with the movable turtle graphics objects.

With the contribution of LOGO programming in children’s learning, MIT

continued the development of LOGO by introducing Star Logo, which is uses
graphical blocks to represent commands. Once again, it improved the programmer’s
productivity, which gave the opportunity for children to start programming in their
early years.

What is Scratch?

The name “Scratch “came from the techniques used by disc jockeys, otherwise
known as DJs or deejays to produce funky sound effects. To create a scratch audio,
a Dj spins a vinyl record similarly however you can mix graphics and audios when
programming in Scratch.

Scratch is also called the “YouTube of Interactive Media” because one can
create his/her own stories, games and animations and share them on the Scratch
website wherein members of the community can respond by commenting
constructively. Feedback servers as to boost confidence and encourages users to
create even more projects.

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 Module 1- Programming with Scratch

Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for children and a coding
language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital
stories, games, and animations. It is designed, developed, and moderated by the
Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

Scratch promotes computational thinking and problem-solving skills creative

teaching and learning self-expression and collaboration and equity in computing.

Three Core Design Principles for Scratch

More Tinker able

Scratch has the same look and feel as Lego bricks when children
attempt to tinker and construct structure out of the bricks. Scratch
uses graphical “programming blocks to create a program.

More Meaningful

Real life activities are the most successful tools in learning which is
why Scratch support different themes for stories, games, animations,
and simulations which can be customized in projects.

More Social

Collaboration / Sharing is embedded in the scratch user interface

which allows members to support one another, collaborative with
each other and critique each other’s works.

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The Scratch Editor

1. Stage - where your program runs.

2. Sprite list- a list of the sprites (objects) in your program.
3. Script editor / costume editor - where you edit your programs or your
sprite’s pictures.

The Script editor has three main parts:

1. Script area - where you build scripts.

2. Block menu- where you choose the category of blocks (programming
statements) to use.
3. Block palette - where you choose the block to use.

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Interface of a Scratch programming online

How to start Scratch Programming

Before you start programming, you will need to create a Scratch account.

Create a Scratch Account

1. Go to scratch.mit.edu.
2. Click Join Scratch.
3. Enter the requested information. (Use your real birth month and year. Do
not use your school email address, as it cannot receive email from Scratch.)

Additional Learning Resources

References:

Fontanilla, Aimee, Theresa A., et. al (2017). Digi titans 6 ICT Essential for the
Future. Tec Factor Inc.
http://www.rpbourret.com/scratch/Bourret-ScratchProgramming.pdf

Module Creator/Curator : Mrs. Liza L. Garcia

Template & Layout Designer : Mrs Jeniffer M. Makalintal

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