Teaching Scratch Programming…from Scratch

What is Scratch?

Scratch is a block -based visual programming language designed primarily for children and beginners to introduce them to coding concepts in an intuitive and easy-to-understand way. Developed by the MIT Media Lab, Scratch allows users to create interactive stories, games, and animations without needing to write traditional text-based code. Instead, users drag and snap together code blocks that represent different commands or actions, which helps them learn programming logic and problem-solving.

Key features of Scratch:

●  Block-based interface: Instead of typing code, users piece together blocks that fit together like puzzle pieces, making it accessible for young learners.

●  Interactive projects: Scratch encourages creativity, enabling users to create multimedia projects like animated stories, games, or simulations.

●  Educational focus: It teaches key programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, variables, and event handling in a visual way.

●  Community-driven: Scratch has a vibrant online community where users can share their projects, view others' work, and even remix existing projects.

●  Multiplatform: Scratch runs both online through the Scratch website and offline via downloadable versions for various operating systems.

It is widely used in schools and educational settings to introduce the basics of programming.

Module 1: Introduction to Scratch

1.1. What is Scratch?

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT of Scratch

Scratch is a fun and creative way to learn programming, especially designed for young learners and beginners. It was developed by the MIT Media Lab in 2003, with the goal of making programming accessible to everyone, regardless of age or technical background. Scratch uses a block-based coding system, which means you don’t need to type out lines of complicated text. Instead, you can snap together colorful blocks like puzzle pieces to create programs.

The name Scratch comes from the way DJs scratch music, mixing and matching sounds. Similarly, in Scratch, you mix and match different blocks of code to create animations, games, and stories.

Since its release, Scratch has become a huge hit in schools, clubs, and homes all around the world. It’s free to use, which makes it accessible to millions of students. Scratch is constantly updated, and now there’s even a version you can download and use offline. The Scratch community is also a big part of its appeal, where people share their projects, learn from others, and remix ideas to improve and build upon them.

Benefits of Learning Scratch for Young Programmers

It’s Visual and Intuitive

One of the biggest challenges in learning traditional programming languages is getting used to the text-based syntax. This is the complex way most programming languages are written, which can be frustrating for beginners because even one small typo can break your code! Scratch, on the other hand, uses blocks that you drag and drop, so there’s no need to worry about making small mistakes. The blocks only fit together in ways that make sense, making it very beginner-friendly.

Encourages Creativity

Scratch is not just about coding—it’s about creativity. You can use it to tell stories, make interactive games, or even create art. The possibilities are endless. By letting your imagination run wild, you can make almost anything, and you don’t need advanced coding skills to do it.

Develops Problem-Solving Skills

As you create projects in Scratch, you’ll naturally learn how to break down bigger problems into smaller, more manageable tasks. This is known as problem-solving. For example, if you’re making a game, you’ll need to think about how the character moves, what happens when they win or lose, and how to track the score. These are all smaller steps that you combine to create the final game.

Builds Confidence

Scratch helps you see your progress quickly. When you snap a few blocks together and your sprite (the character in your project) starts moving, it feels like magic! This quick success boosts your confidence and encourages you to try more complex projects.

Introduction to Real Programming Concepts

Even though Scratch is visual, it teaches you real programming concepts like loops, conditions, and variables. These are the building blocks of any programming language. Once you’re comfortable with Scratch, you can easily transition to more advanced coding languages like Python or JavaScript.

Community Learning

Scratch has a built-in online community where you can share your projects with others and see what other Scratchers are working on. This sense of community helps foster a love for learning and sharing, and it’s a great way to see how others solve problems or approach their projects. You can also remix someone else’s project, meaning you can take their idea and make it your own.

In summary, Scratch is a beginner-friendly programming language that’s perfect for anyone just starting out. It’s visual, easy to use, and encourages creativity while teaching core programming concepts. Plus, it's fun! Whether you’re making a game, telling a story, or creating an animation, Scratch is the perfect place to start your coding journey.

1.2. Getting Started with Scratch

TO START USING SCRATCH, you have two options: the online version or the offline version. Both options have their own advantages, so let's break them down and help you choose the one that works best for you.

Online vs. Offline Versions of Scratch

ONLINE VERSION: The online version of Scratch is accessed through your web browser atscratch.mit.edu. This means you don’t need to download or install anything—it’s all ready to go as long as you have an internet connection. One of the coolest features of the online version is that you can easily share your projects with the Scratch community. This lets you show off your work, get feedback, and see projects from others, which can be really inspiring.

Key points about the online version:

●  No installation needed – You can start coding right away in your browser.

●  Community features – Share, remix, and view other projects.

●  Access anywhere – Use Scratch on any device with an internet connection.

Offline Version (Scratch Desktop): If you prefer working without an internet connection or don’t want to rely on your browser, you can download the offline version called Scratch Desktop. This version works exactly like the online one, except you don’t need the internet to use it. It’s great if you want to work on your projects during travel or in places with limited internet access.

Key points about the offline version:

●  Work offline – No need for internet access once it's installed.

●  No community features – You can still save and share projects manually, but the built-in community sharing features aren’t available.

●  Desktop app – Install it on your computer and work in a dedicated app.

Both versions work the same way in terms of coding and creating projects. The biggest difference is whether or not you want to be connected to the Scratch community.

Creating a Scratch Account (Step-by-Step)

IF YOU CHOOSE THE ONLINE version, you’ll want to create a free Scratch account. This lets you save your projects, share them with others, and even remix (or modify) other people’s projects. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your account:

1.  Go to the Scratch Website

Head toscratch.mit.edu. You’ll see a bright, colorful homepage with a Join Scratch button in the top-right corner.

2.  Click on Join Scratch

This will take you to the sign-up page where you can create your account.

3.  Choose a Username and Password

○  Username: Pick something fun and unique, but don’t use your real name for privacy reasons.

○  Password: Make sure it’s something easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. You’ll need this to log in.

4.  Provide Your Information

Scratch will ask you to provide your birth month and year, gender, and country. This helps them create a more personalized experience for you, but your information won’t be shared publicly.

5.  Enter an Email Address

Make sure to enter a valid email address because Scratch will send a confirmation email to activate your account.

6.  Verify Your Email

After signing up, check your email inbox for a message from Scratch. Open it and click on the verification link to activate your account.

7.  Start Coding!

Once your account is created, you can log in and start making projects right away. Your projects will automatically save to your account, so you can pick up where you left off anytime you log in.

Downloading and Installing Scratch Offline

IF YOU PREFER TO WORK offline, downloading and installing Scratch Desktop is super simple. Here’s a quick guide:

Go to the Scratch Download Page

Visit the Scratch Download page from your web browser.

Select Your Operating System

Scratch Desktop is available for both Windows and macOS. Click on the button that matches your computer’s operating system (for example, choose Download for Windows if you have a Windows PC).

Run the Installer

Once the download is complete, find the installer file (it will usually be in your Downloads folder). Double-click the file to start the installation process.

Follow the Installation Instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to install Scratch Desktop on your computer. It’s a quick process, and there’s nothing complicated to set up.

Open Scratch Desktop

After the installation is done, you can open the Scratch Desktop app. It looks and works just like the online version, but you don’t need the internet to use it.

Start Creating!

Now you’re ready to start your coding adventure. You can save your projects directly to your computer and open them anytime. You can also manually upload your projects to the online community if you want to share them later.

Now that you’ve set up Scratch, whether online or offline, you’re ready to start creating amazing projects. Dive into the next module to learn the basics of coding with Scratch and start building your first animations and games!

While exploring the offline version, you may want to click on the top menu option to access an interactive tutorial and will look like this:

1.3. Exploring the Scratch Interface

Now that you’ve got Scratch set up, it’s time to explore the workspace where all the magic happens. The Scratch interface is user-friendly and designed to make coding easy for beginners. Think of it like a digital playground where you can move pieces around to create interactive projects like games and animations.

Let’s break down the different parts of the Scratch interface so you know what everything does.

The Stage: Understanding the Display Area

THE Stage is where you see everything happening. It’s like the screen of your project—whatever code you write will play out here. Imagine it as a theater stage where actors (called sprites) perform based on the instructions you give them.

●  Location: The Stage is located on the top-right corner of the Scratch interface.

●  Purpose: It shows what your project looks like in real-time. Whether you're making a character move, adding sounds, or changing backdrops (backgrounds), it all appears here.

●  Coordinates: The Stage uses something called coordinates to position sprites. The center of the Stage is (0, 0), which means both the X (left to right) and Y (up and down) axes start in the middle. As you move to the right, the X value goes up. If you move to the left, it goes down. The same idea works for the Y-axis: moving up increases the value, and moving down decreases it. You don’t need to worry too much about these numbers right now, but it’s good to know how positioning