Introduction to Programming with Scratch for Elementary School Students

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Course Description

Description

By popular request, Introduction to Programming with Scratch has been adapted to meet the interests of younger students. In this course, elementary school students (grades 3 through 5) will be introduced to fundamental programming concepts. Students will learn how to create animations, computer games, and interactive projects using Scratch, a graphical programming language developed at MIT. At the end of the course, students create their own computer game and share it with their CTYOnline instructor and classmates. No previous programming skills are required, but students should be comfortable using a computer and browser, and managing files. Students do not need to purchase any software or textbook.

Students who complete this course should not enroll in Scratch Programming designed for middle school students, which covers similar content.

Materials Needed

There are no required materials for this course.

Detailed Course Information

Unit 1: What is Scratch?

• Introduction to Scratch
• Creating New Scratch Project

Unit 2: Getting Started

• Start Moving
• Add a Sound
• Start Dancing
• Repeating Actions
• Control Icon – Green Flag
• Change Color
• Pressing Keys
• Create a Sprite
• Speaking and Thinking
• Animation

Unit 3: Motion

• Move and Turn
• Pointing
• Go and Glide
• Changing Positions
• Bouncing
• Locating the Sprite

Unit 4: Looks

• Changing Costumes
• Changing Backgrounds
• How to Make a Sprite to Say Something
• Graphic Effects
• Changing the Size of a Sprite
• Working with Multiple Sprites
• Moving Sprites

Unit 5: Sound

• Associating Sounds with a Sprite
• Play Sound
• Play Drums Part I
• Play Drums Part II
• Play Note and Play Instruments Part I
• Play Note and Play Instruments Part II

Unit 6: Pen and Color Control

• Pen Down and Pen Up
• Changing Pen Color
• Changing Pen Shade
• Changing Pen Size
• Stamp

Unit 7: Control

• Beginning Actions
• Waiting
• Forever Block
• Repeating Actions
• Broadcasting
• Conditional Actions
• Stop Block

Unit 8: Sensing

• Mouse Report
• Pressing Keys
• Touching and Over
• Reporting Distance
• Using the Timer
• Checking the Volume

Unit 9: Variables

• Variables

Unit 10: Operators

• Arithmetic Operations
• Random Numbers
• Comparing Numbers
• Logic Operations

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System Requirements

All CTYOnline courses require a properly maintained computer with Internet access and a recent version web browser (such as Explorer 6, Firefox, or Safari).

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Reviews

Quotes:

"My son’s instructor has a great ability to interact with kids. He was able to teach a technical subject to my son amazingly well. He kindled interest in the subject. He is very dedicated and provided good feedback."

"My instructor was very helpful throughout my course with all the different concepts. He was very knowledgeable, and funny! I enjoyed working with his help."

"The instructor helped my son learn how to independently complete the course successfully. She gave helpful and timely feedback and guidance to me and my son. By the end of the course, my son was corresponding with the instructor and managing the course all on his own-- what a great skill to learn above and beyond material she helped him through, which he loved. He can't wait to take the next course."