Scratch
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#1 2007-08-25 06:34:39
x and y axes
Is it possible to make visible on space work the axes x and y (a grid) , so younger students can better understand the aspects of graphic representation and position in space?
(Just starting... I'm a portuguese math teacher... and a "yearner"... looking to find better ways to teach math... 5th and 6th grades)
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#2 2007-08-25 07:53:13
- kevin_karplus
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-04-27
- Posts: 1000+
Re: x and y axes
Are you suggesting that Scratch have an option or button for turning on a grid overlaying the screen? That might be useful for people trying to position sprites numerically.
Or are you looking for a short script that can draw a grid with a pen? That's pretty easy to write and makes a good exercise in loops for the kids.
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#3 2007-08-25 08:11:53
Re: x and y axes
Well... II was thinking of an option (II couldn't find one) that was able to turning on a grid as you said... (is that option available in scratch?) but... your second optin it is much more interesting ( I've just started to "play" and build something today... some hours ago for some minutes, so, I had not the time to explore all the possibilities... I'm still in the baby exploring fase 
) . Thanks for your care and answer!
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#4 2007-08-25 09:27:12
- pedroskivich
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-05-21
- Posts: 72
Re: x and y axes
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/pedroskivich/31734
Heres a link to a project I just made are you talking about this?
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#5 2007-08-25 10:21:23
Re: x and y axes
Not exactly...
In most software we have an option to see the grid that permits us to position exactly our objects in x and y coordenates. If there is no option like this in scratch... maybe we can put children to make one... BUT... it would have to be absolutely rigorous and reproduce exactly the values of x and y in the scratch screen... and with a very fine gray and soft lines... and maybe able to be saved as a background... Thanks for sharing your work!
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#6 2007-08-25 11:58:06
- pedroskivich
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-05-21
- Posts: 72
Re: x and y axes
Now I understand. That would be nice escpecially for making board games on scratch. At least thats what I'd do.
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#7 2007-08-25 21:45:14
- kevin_karplus
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-04-27
- Posts: 1000+
Re: x and y axes
The project http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/calculus/2200
includes drawing a grid of horizontal lines. Vertical lines would be a trivial addition.
For precise placement, once can use the
[blocks]
<go to x 
x )y y )]
[/blocks]
or look at the coordinates reported at the top of the sprite pane.
Last edited by kevin_karplus (2007-08-25 21:46:43)
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#8 2007-08-26 02:38:14
Re: x and y axes
Thanks!
Will see it.
I'd already seen that (precise location and the permanent information about coordinates).
The question here is, with small children, needing to stat "entering" in the world of graphs (because of the curriculum) and not having a big grade of abstraction yet... I thought is would be easier to see the axes and understand live the meaning of coordinates... But, again, it would be interesting for them to build it and/or to make "plans" with pencil and paper that envolved understanding the coordinates in space.
Thanks again! I've learned a lot!
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