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Virtual Scratch Jr. Coding Camp
I thought it might be fun to start a Virtual Coding Camp. This is 100% voluntary and kids can jump in whenever they want. It is targeted for grades K-2.
I'm hoping this will give kids something fun adn productive to do during the quarantine. Learning to code and spending more time "creating" rather than "consuming" are both beneficial skills. The way it will work: Every week I'll post a challenge, along with step-by-step video tutorials on the required programming skills. Kids can work on them at their own pace. I'll host weekly Zoom sessions where students can ask me questions and share their work. |
Scratch Jr. and PBS Scratch Jr. is a great way to start learning programming skills. The two apps work identically - they just have different characters and backgrounds to choose from. Here are some excellent guides on how to use Scratch Jr.
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CHALLENGE #1: Watch the following videos and then create an animation with two characters that are both moving.
BONUS: Can you create an animation with more than 2 characters?
BONUS: Can you create an animation with more than 2 characters?
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Here is my example:
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STEP 1: Start a new project and add a background
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STEP 2: Add and delete characters
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STEP 3: Make your character move
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STEP 4: Adding more characters
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STEP 5: Start Scripts using "Start on Green Flag"
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STEP 6: Repeat Forever
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TIP: How to remove blocks from your script
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TIP: Turning Grid Lines off
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TIP: Name Your Characters
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CHALLENGE #2: Watch the following videos and then create an animation of two characters telling a funny knock-knock joke.
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Here is my example:
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STEP 1: Add two a background and two characters. You've learned all this in Challenge #1. Watch the videos above you need a refresher.
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STEP 2: How to turn a character around (so they are facing each other).
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STEP 3: Using the "Say" block.
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STEP 4: Using the "Wait" block.
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STEP 5: Using the "Play Recorded Sound" block.
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DEBUG: If You Don't have "Recorded Sound" Block
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CHALLENGE #3: Watch the following videos and then create an animation where something happens when two characters bump into each other. Use the "Start on Bump" block.
BONUS: Create an animation where something happens when you tap on the character. Use the "Start on Tap" block.
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Here is my example:
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Introduction
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STEP 1: Fly to Flower
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STEP 2: Start on Bump and Chomp Chomp Chomp Recording
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STEP 3: Make the Butterfly Get Bigger
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STEP 4: Debug: Fly Back to Where it Started
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STEP 5: Make the Flower Disappear
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STEP 6: Debug: Timing of Events
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STEP 7: Regrow the Flower
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STEP 8: Start on Tap to Return Butterfly to Original Size
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TIPS
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How to Make Your Own Background
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How to Modify a Character
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Add Your Face to a Character
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Walking Backwards
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Take a Photo as your Background
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CHALLENGE #4: Watch the following videos and then create a game controller.
BONUS: Try and create a game with your controller where you level up when you achieve the goal.
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Introduction
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STEP 1: How to Make the Game Controller
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STEP 2: Start on Message Trigger Block
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STEP 3: Start on Message Color Code
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STEP 4: Add Background and Level Up
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TIP: How to Copy Characters and Code
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CHALLENGE #5: Watch the following videos and then create a Wack-A-Mole game.
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I used a clip from a YouTube video to show as an example:
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Here's an example of this week's challenge:
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Here are the instructions for this week's challenge:
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TIPS
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Creating a character from a photo.
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Scratch Jr: Stop Control Block
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Scratch Jr: Speed Control Block
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