ScratchJr

During the last step, you looked at how algorithms can be developed into code. In practice, before you can follow or create algorithms, it is important that you have some understanding of the programming environment. In this step you will look at ScratchJr, just one example of a programming environment.

ScratchJr is designed for children aged 5 to 7 to learn early programming concepts. It is a block-based programming environment where young children can solve problems, design projects, and be creative. Children use blocks or sequences of blocks to control the behaviours of characters (sprites) and backgrounds displayed on screen. ScratchJr is available as an Android app and an Apple app. A desktop version of ScratchJr is also available.

Programming environment

When you introduce a new programming environment to young learners, go through the features at a pace that is suitable for them so that they do not feel overwhelmed. Cognitive load is a stress on a learner’s working memory, reducing their ability to acquire new knowledge. To reduce the cognitive load on your learners, you can teach the many aspects of ScratchJr gradually, allowing learners to build on their knowledge lesson by lesson.

Initially, you will need to introduce your learners to the user interface. This is what the learners will see and how they will interact with ScratchJr. You can use the helpful resources on the ScratchJr website to support you in doing this. The website includes a guide showing the different parts of the interface. The main parts of the interface include:

• A green flag that is used to run the code
• Characters, known as sprites, that can be programmed
• The Stage, often with a background, that these sprites move around
• Coding blocks that can be dragged into the coding area to create simple programs

There are many other aspects to the interface which you can introduce to your learners as they become more familiar with the environment. However, these key features should be all they need to know to start creating their own programs.

Creating a program in ScratchJr

As your learners become more familiar with the interface, you can start to introduce the coding blocks that are available in ScratchJr. Start by introducing them to single blocks, and as they become more confident, show learners how to join multiple blocks together to create simple programs.

There is support available on the ScratchJr website including a description of what each of the blocks does. Initially, we suggest you introduce learners to a small selection of blocks and then encourage them to build up their knowledge of the different blocks available at a manageable pace.

There are also activities on the ScratchJr website which you can use to familiarise yourself with the possibilities of ScratchJr or share with your learners to show them how to create simple programs.

Creating a program

Try out ScratchJr for yourself by making a program which will send a rocket upwards on the screen.

Creating the project

Click on the blue addition button to open up a new ScratchJr project.

Delete the initial sprite by clicking and holding the sprite then tapping on the red cross.

Next, add a rocket sprite. To add a new sprite, click on the blue add button on the left-hand side and choose a sprite from the menu — click on the tick to add the rocket on to the Stage.

You can add backgrounds in a similar way by clicking on the central grass/sky icon. Select the ‘Moon’ background.

Adding blocks

To program the rocket, you will need to drag the following blocks down into the programming area in order, and snap them together:

• Start on green flag (yellow)
• Move Up (blue)
• End (red)

Running the program

Click on the green flag at the top right of the screen to run your program.

Tap on the number underneath the blue up arrow in your program and type in a larger number. Click on the green flag to run your program. Your rocket will travel further.

Structured exploration

Once you’ve introduced the key features of the ScratchJr programming environment to your learners, what challenges would you set for them to structure their exploration of the other blue (motion) blocks?

Add your suggestions in the comments below.