ScratchJr
Coding for Kindergarten to Second Grade
Link to presentation
[Link]
Additional Resources:
Curricula
ScratchJr Interface Guide
Block Descriptions
Paint Editor Guide
Tufts University Study
Introductions
Robin Ricketts Liz Clayton Karen Hurd
JK - 12 Academic Technology Engineering and Technology Technology Resource Teacher
Coordinator Teacher Collegiate School
The Steward School Collegiate School Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA Richmond, VA
Scratch and ScratchJr
ScratchJr Scratch 2.0
● Graphical programming ● Graphical programming
“language” “language”
● Ages 5-7+ ● Ages 8 and up
● Free iPad App* ● Free
● Browser based*
● Compatible with Picoboards,
MakeyMakeys and Wedos.
*Now available for Android
*Also a downloadable version for PCs and
Macs.
Why teach ScratchJr?
● Create and express ideas
● Solve problems
● Design projects
● Develop sequencing skills
● Apply math and language
Computational Thinking Skills
● Sequencing
● Parallelism
● Loops
● Conditionals
The Grid
What can students do with ScratchJr?
Games
Stories
Simulations
Other
2 Ways to Skin a Cat:
10 Lessons: 4 Lessons:
1. Follow the published 1. Create original lessons
ScratchJr Curriculum tailored to students
2. Adapt to your group and 2. Introduce concepts
to available time through simple project
3. Extend lessons when creation
possible
Follow the published ScratchJr curriculum
Adapt to your group and to available time
Extend and integrate lessons when possible
Create Your Own Lessons
● Use a variety of resources for lesson ideas including
unplugged lessons.
● Cover all 6 block types.
● Lessons increasingly complex.
● Incorporated science or math lesson into final project.
“Unplugged” Floor Activities
Supplement with other apps
ScratchJr Interface
ScratchJr Blocks
Trigger Sound
Motion Control
Looks End
Hands On Practice
Five Minute Game
Sums of Twenty Program
Scratch Detective Activity
Debug a Script
5 Minute
Game
More Advanced Maze
● Make the maze lines a character.
● Create a conditional - “If the Cat bumps into the Maze
walls, then send him back to his starting location.”
● Add a “You Won” page.
● Create another conditional -
“If the Cat bumps into the Cake,
then change to the “You Won” page.
Build a Sums of 20 Dance Party
Goal:
Make three characters dance across
the stage.
● How many steps does it take to
move across the stage?
● Do all characters have the same
size steps?
● How can you make them dance
as they move?
Penguin Math
Detective
While in full screen mode, run a program so the code is not
visible.
“Can you guess what the code is for this program?”
Debugging Challenges
Run a script while the
code is showing and
identify a problem with
the script.
“Can you figure out how
to fix this bug?”
Play Time
Collect iPads
Teaching Tips
If possible, work in small groups or have 2 teachers
and projector* for whole class lessons
Remind students that iPads in class are
“tools,” not “toys”
Include “unplugged” activities
* have spare dongle
Teaching Tips
Build in time for independent exploration
and creation
Name and Save each project before each session is over.
Pair with other apps resources, e.g. Kodable, Lightbot,
[Link]
Future
Android version is scheduled to be released
at the end of March, 2015.
Web version later in 2015.
Sharing or exporting projects will most likely
be in future versions.
Questions?
Project Examples
Dodge Ball Game
ScratchJr Maze Game
Magic Flower Story
Tap and Bump Hearts
Penguin Stopper
Find the Cat Game
Pick the Flowers
Gravity on the Moon
