Introduction

Introduction

Scratch is a programming language that uses ‘building block’ style coding to create animated stories, interactive games, simulations, and beautiful artwork. In using Scratch, learners will be introduced to basic coding concepts and develop their computational thinking skills while bringing their own ideas to life. In this series, the basics of Scratch will be introduced to provide learners with the foundational skills required to begin creating in Scratch. 

Scratch makes it easy for learners who are just starting out by organizing the types of code you can use into categories, the code blocks are grouped by the following categories: Motion, Looks, Sound, Events, Controls, Sensing, Operators, Variables and My Blocks. These code blocks can be pieced together in the Code Area like placing jigsaw puzzle pieces together. Students can easily test their code and debug problems with their code by having the Code Area and the Stage both visible at the same time. 

In this episode, learners will explore: 

• The Sprite Pane
• The Stage
• The Block Palette
• The Code Area

Vocabulary

• Block Palette
  The Block Palette is the area on the left of the screen when the Code button is opened. On the left, there is an area that contains the nine sections of blocks in Scratch. To the right of that, there is an area that contains blocks that can be dragged into the Code Area to make code. 
• Code Area
  The Code Area is the large empty space to the right of the Block Palette. It is an area for storing blocks that run the project. Blocks can be dragged from the Block Palette into the Code Area and arranged to form scripts.
• Sprite
  Either user-created, uploaded, or found in the sprites library, are the objects that perform actions in a project.
• Stage
  The stage is the area where the sprites are and perform their actions. It is located in the top of the area to the right of the Code Area.
  
• Sprite Pane
  It is a white area located beneath the Stage where all sprites present in a project can be easily accessed to modify or inspect.

Materials

Scratch 3.0 (Online or Desktop)

Computer Activity

This episode will take you through the Scratch working environment. We will explore the different sections of the Scratch editor!