Exploring Machines We Control

Introduce students to this great block-based programming language to create animations and games perfect for KS1. Write and debug algorithms, learn about repeating, and different triggers to create actions.

Lesson Resources

Unit Plan

concepts and learning goals that are taught over a period of time and are woven together, often across subject areas

Lesson Slides

concepts and learning goals that are taught over a period of time and are woven together, often across subject areas

Activity

concepts and learning goals that are taught over a period of time and are woven together, often across subject areas

Assessment

concepts and learning goals that are taught over a period of time and are woven together, often across subject areas

Suggested Software

Scratch Jr is a FREE app available for

A open source version for Windows and Mac is now also available

Download the latest install

Key vocabulary for this unit

Algorithm

An unambiguous procedure or precise step-by-step guide to solve a problem or achieve a particular objective. A set of instructions for achieving a goal or solving a problem.

Broadcast

A method of sending a message to trigger an event in a program. Often used between sprites or the stage in Scratch.

Debug

To detect and correct the errors in a computer program.

Loop

A programming construct in which one or more instructions are repeated, perhaps a certain number of times, until a condition is satisfied or until the program is stopped.

Patterns

Spotting and using similarities to solve problems (a computational thinking concept)

Program

(verb) To give a series of instructions to a machine so that it will perform a task automatically

Repetition

(Also referred to as a ‘Loop’ or ‘Iteration’) – a programming construct in which one or more instructions are repeated, perhaps a certain number of times, until a condition is satisfied or until the program is stopped.

Sequence

to place programming instructions in order, with each executed one after the other.

Sprite

A graphical object that can be controlled by code. In Scratch Jr projects are made up of objects called sprites. You can give instructions to a sprite. To tell a sprite what to do, you snap together graphic blocks into stacks, called scripts.

Exploring Machines We Control

Lesson Resources

Unit Plan

Lesson Slides

Activity

Assessment

Suggested Software

Other Useful Links

Key vocabulary for this unit

Algorithm

Broadcast

Debug

Loop

Patterns

Program

Repetition

Sequence

Sprite

Related units

Programming Direction

An Introduction to Digital Art

Action Algorithms

Making Multimedia Stories

Exploring Digital Sound