Scratch Computer Programming in the classroom community 

Subject: 

Information Technology IT

Term:

Second Term

Week:

Week 9

Class:

Primary 6 / BASIC 6

 

Lesson Plan: Scratch Computer Programming

Objective: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to design and program their own interactive game or story using the Scratch programming platform.

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access and the Scratch programming platform installed (https://scratch.mit.edu/)
  • Handouts with Scratch programming basics (optional)

Content:

Scratch computer programming is a way for us to use a computer to create interactive games, stories, or other types of programs. We can do this by using a special platform called Scratch, which is a website that we can access on a computer.

Using Scratch, we can create our own characters called “sprites” and give them different actions and behaviors. We do this by using blocks of code, which are like small pieces of a puzzle that we can snap together to create a program.

We can also use Scratch to create animations, make music, and design our own interactive stories. The possibilities are endless!

Learning to program with Scratch can help us develop important skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. It can also be a lot of fun! So let’s get started and see what we can create!

  • Scratch is a great way for students to learn about computer science and how computers work. By creating their own programs, students can see firsthand how a computer follows instructions and performs tasks.
  • Scratch is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, even for students who have never programmed before. With a little practice, students can quickly learn how to create their own programs and see their ideas come to life on the computer.
  • One of the great things about Scratch is that it allows students to be creative and express themselves through their programming projects. Students can create whatever they can imagine, from simple games to complex interactive stories.
  • Scratch is also a great tool for collaborative learning. Students can work together in pairs or small groups to create a program, which can help them develop teamwork and communication skills.
  • Finally, Scratch is a great way for students to learn about the importance of debugging. When a program doesn’t work as expected, students can use the debugging tools in Scratch to find and fix errors, which helps them learn how to troubleshoot and problem-solve.

Warm-Up (5 minutes):

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  • Have students brainstorm a list of things that they would like to program using Scratch. This could include games, stories, animations, etc.

Introduction (10 minutes):

  • Introduce Scratch and its capabilities as a programming platform.
  • Show examples of projects created with Scratch to give students an idea of what is possible.
  • Discuss the importance of computer programming skills and how learning to program with Scratch can help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Direct Instruction (20 minutes):

  • Provide a brief overview of the Scratch programming interface and the basic building blocks of a Scratch program (e.g. sprites, blocks, scripts).
  • Demonstrate how to create a simple Scratch program by dragging and dropping blocks and running the program.
  • Hand out the Scratch programming basics handouts to students (optional).

Guided Practice (30 minutes):

  • Have students work in pairs or small groups to create their own simple Scratch program.
  • Assist students as needed, providing guidance and support as they work through the programming process.

Independent Practice (30 minutes):

  • Give students time to work on their own Scratch programs, focusing on a specific aspect of the program (e.g. creating a game with a scoring system).
  • Encourage students to be creative and think outside the box as they work on their projects.

Evaluation:

  1. Why is Scratch a useful tool for students in the classroom? a. It helps students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills b. It allows students to be creative and express themselves through their programming projects c. It is user-friendly and easy for students to learn d. All of the above
  2. How can Scratch be used in the classroom? a. As a standalone activity for students to work on independently b. As a collaborative learning tool for students to work in pairs or small groups c. As a way to teach students about computer science and how computers work d. All of the above
  3. How can teachers use Scratch to assess student learning? a. By observing students as they work on their Scratch programs and providing feedback b. By having students submit their completed Scratch programs for evaluation c. By using a checklist or rubric to assess students’ understanding of the basic concepts of Scratch programming, as well as their creativity and problem-solving skills d. All of the above
  4. What are some ways that Scratch can be used to support other subjects in the classroom? a. By creating interactive games or stories to reinforce math or language arts concepts b. By using Scratch to create visual aids or presentations for social studies or science topics c. By using Scratch to create music or sound effects for drama or music class d. All of the above
  5. How can teachers support students who are new to Scratch programming? a. By providing a brief overview of the Scratch programming interface and basic building blocks b. By demonstrating how to create a simple Scratch program c. By providing handouts or other resources to help students learn the basics of Scratch programming d. All of the above
  6. How can teachers support advanced students who are using Scratch in the classroom? a. By providing more challenging programming tasks and projects b. By introducing advanced programming concepts such as variables and loops c. By encouraging students to explore and experiment with more advanced features of Scratch d. All of the above
  7. What are some best practices for using Scratch in the classroom? a. Encourage students to be creative and think outside the box b. Help students troubleshoot and debug their programs as needed c. Encourage students to share their Scratch programs with the class d. All of the above
  8. How can teachers encourage students to continue exploring Scratch programming outside of the classroom? a. By providing resources and support for students to continue working on their Scratch programs at home b. By sharing examples of Scratch programs created by other students or members of the community c. By hosting a Scratch programming club or workshop after school or on weekends d. All of the above
  9. How can teachers integrate Scratch programming into their lesson plans? a. By incorporating Scratch into existing lesson plans and activities b. By using Scratch as a supplement to traditional teaching methods c. By creating stand-alone Scratch programming lessons d. All of the above
  10. What are some potential challenges of using Scratch in the classroom? a. Ensuring that all students have access to computers and the internet b. Providing adequate support and guidance for students who are new to programming c. Keeping students engaged and motivated while they are working on their Scratch programs d. All of the above

Answers:

  1. Why is Scratch a useful tool for students in the classroom? d. All of the above
  2. How can Scratch be used in the classroom? d. All of the above
  3. How can teachers use Scratch to assess student learning? d. All of the above
  4. What are some ways that Scratch can be used to support other subjects in the classroom? d. All of the above
  5. How can teachers support students who are new to Scratch programming? d. All of the above
  6. How can teachers support advanced students who are using Scratch in the classroom? d. All of the above
  7. What are some best practices for using Scratch in the classroom? d. All of the above
  8. How can teachers encourage students to continue exploring Scratch programming outside of the classroom? d. All of the above
  9. How can teachers integrate Scratch programming into their lesson plans? d. All of the above
  10. What are some potential challenges of using Scratch in the classroom? d. All of the above

Conclusion (5 minutes):

  • Have students share their Scratch programs with the class, demonstrating how they work and any features they are proud of.
  • Review the key takeaways from the lesson and encourage students to continue exploring programming with Scratch on their own.

Assessment:

  • Observe students as they work on their Scratch programs and provide feedback on their progress.
  • Have students submit their completed Scratch programs for evaluation.
  • Use a checklist or rubric to assess students’ understanding of the basic concepts of Scratch programming, as well as their creativity and problem-solving skills.
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