A ten-lesson sequence progressing from the basics of Scratch through to creating simple games. It includes:

• drawing shapes and using repeats
• accepting keyboard input to control the movement of sprites
• planning algorithms using flow diagrams and executing them in Scratch
• ...

This unit of six lessons does not assume any prior programming knowledge and covers the following guidelines in the National Curriculum:

• Design - write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into...

This guide shows how the BrickPi can enable novice programmers to use Scratch to control complex robots and models.

The instructions need to be followed using Scratch on the Raspberry Pi computer. The resulting programs use different input and output devices, including touch and colour sensors and motors....

This Barefoot Computing resource for upper-primary computing lessons uses the creation of a Scratch maths quiz as a basis for learning about algorithms using selection.

Children are asked to create an algorithm that...

This Barefoot Computing resource builds on the ‘Maths quiz with selection’ learning activities which should be undertaken first.

It involves improving an existing Scratch maths quiz and adding score-keeping using...

The Scratch Patch collection is a series of articles from the MagPi Raspberry Pi magazine. The practical activities contained can be used, generally, with any version of Scratch – on a Raspberry Pi or any other computer. The activities are very directed, in support of students in the early stages of learning...

A learning activity guide, from Barefoot Computing, for teachers in primary schools. It provides structure for an introductory programming session using Scratch. The activity involves tinkering within the Scratch environment - initially using existing Scratch projects then moving on to the creation of new projects...

This resource consists of eleven worksheets explaining how to use some basic commands in the programming language Scratch. Each sheet explains how the appropriate blocks are set up in Scratch, an example of their use and a number of exercises for use in the classroom. The commands covered are: • IF uses a variable...

Focusing on the programming skill of loops and repetition, this activity offers a chance for pupils to apply their understanding, linking both Scratch and art. With links to modelled examples, teachers could apply the PRIMM method to their lessons, through the pre-created Scratch projects.

This collection of twelve Scratch cards is designed to provide a quick way to learn how to code using the language Scratch. The front of the card describes to the students what can be done; the back explains how to do it. Each card can be printed and folded to A5 size for use with students. The activities cover how...

This one-page help sheet offers a comprehensive introductory guide to Scratch, great for teachers new to the platform, or those who are unfamiliar with some of its features.  

ScratchJr is an introductory programming language that enables young students to create their own interactive stories and games. Students snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. Students can modify characters in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds,...

This Barefoot activity for young programmers exploits the sequencing and timing of joke-telling to help students learn good programming techniques. After planning an animation using a storyboard technique they then code it using the Scratch Jr app, and debug it. Tips for supporting the less able, as well as...

A Barefoot Computing introductory programming activity for lower-primary children learning computing. Using the iPad app Scratch Jr, children are given the opportunity to develop skills by tinkering with existing programs as well as creating their own. Children might be offered the chance to tinker with other basic...

In this resource students look at the application of linear and binary searches in the real world context of a delivery driver looking for parcels in a van. Students apply their understanding of a linear search to a series of questions before comparing a linear with a binary search to determine which would be...