Scratch

lsquaredmom · 2008-07-25 10:12:13

I just started using Scratch after learning about it at the Games Learning and Society Conference in Wisconsin in early July, 2008. I have been making programs for about 4 years now and my kids are always asking, "How did you do that [make some interesting thing happen]?" I have never been able to explain it to them because it is just too complicated. Now they are working on their own Scratch projects and they can make neat things happen. It also gives me a chance to teach some basic math (I'm a math teacher by profession.), programming (and logic), and computer skills.

Thanks for making such a wonderful program! I am posting our work at: http://www.lsquaredmath.us/scratch .

Someday hopefully, I will find the time to either create or collect a gallery of simple Scratch projects that illustrate a single or small set of related programming or math concepts. That way my kids can learn by studying them. It would also be cool to start a Scratch Club at my kids' school, once school gets going again.

Cyclone103 · 2008-07-25 19:30:22

I have a gallery which contains only math projects, although some of it is very complex. Here is a link to the gallery. Hopefully there is enough simple math in there for your kids. If not, here is a project where your kids can do simple addition to their hearts content, and even learn the numbers in German. If you need any more math help, I can sort through my gallery for the simplest ones.

Digimath · 2008-07-25 20:53:50

You might also want to browse through Teaching Resources-1303
and
Math4Kids

Last edited by Digimath (2008-07-25 21:18:02)

lsquaredmom · 2008-07-26 07:53:03

Thank you, but I think both of you misunderstood what I am trying to do. I am not trying to find math related programs, but rather simple programs that illustrate programming concepts, where my kids will learn how to do more with their own programs that they are creating in Scratch. Along the way, they will also learn some math. I teach them plenty of math already, but teaching by having them write programs is fun for both me and them.

Bluestribute · 2008-07-26 08:58:39

lsquaredmom wrote:
Thank you, but I think both of you misunderstood what I am trying to do. I am not trying to find math related programs, but rather simple programs that illustrate programming concepts, where my kids will learn how to do more with their own programs that they are creating in Scratch. Along the way, they will also learn some math. I teach them plenty of math already, but teaching by having them write programs is fun for both me and them.

Are you looking for tutorials or demonstrations? Or just a project that uses 1 thing to much like my Fire Starter Test?

lsquaredmom · 2008-07-26 13:13:44

Bluestribute wrote:
Are you looking for tutorials or demonstrations? Or just a project that uses 1 thing to much like my Fire Starter Test?

Simple projects like your Fire Starter Test are great. I haven't actually given my kids any formal lessons in Scratch yet. I have just been letting them play around and I am around to help when they need me. I would like to get a collection of simple projects like your Fire Starter Test that illustrate different techniques that they can use in their programs. I may make some myself also. Things that are simple but a bit interesting are great. They can then build on those skills to eventually make more complicated programs. They are young so I am not expecting too much, but you never know.

I learned a lot of Flash using this method. I would see a simple technique and then I would get ideas about what I could do with that technique.

I downloaded your Fire Starter Test. It is the first in my collection of simple Scratch programs.

Thanks!

Bluestribute · 2008-07-26 13:17:02

lsquaredmom wrote:
Bluestribute wrote:
Are you looking for tutorials or demonstrations? Or just a project that uses 1 thing to much like my Fire Starter Test?
Simple projects like your Fire Starter Test are great. I haven't actually given my kids any formal lessons in Scratch yet. I have just been letting them play around and I am around to help when they need me. I would like to get a collection of simple projects like your Fire Starter Test that illustrate different techniques that they can use in their programs. I may make some myself also. Things that are simple but a bit interesting are great. They can then build on those skills to eventually make more complicated programs. They are young so I am not expecting too much, but you never know.

I learned a lot of Flash using this method. I would see a simple technique and then I would get ideas about what I could do with that technique.

I downloaded your Fire Starter Test. It is the first in my collection of simple Scratch programs.

Thanks!

Alright. I think I get what you are looking for. But to make sure:

Simple projects that use a certain technique in Scratch so you can learn them. Like my Fire Starter Test uses the pick random and setting variables, which it uses very clearly.

Is that correct?

lsquaredmom · 2008-07-28 16:21:25

Yes. I can make some of my own (eventually), but I will certainly collect others when I see them. Thanks Bluestribute.

Last edited by lsquaredmom (2008-07-28 16:26:57)

Bluestribute · 2008-07-28 17:05:37

lsquaredmom wrote:
Yes. I can make some of my own (eventually), but I will certainly collect others when I see them. Thanks Bluestribute.

No problem

teachcomputers · 2008-08-19 15:27:04

You can find a good list of scratch teaching resources here
http://www.kidslike.info/scratch_computer_programming_tutorials

Alice is a good next step
http://www.kidslike.info/computer_programming_educational_programming_languages

mletreat · 2008-08-20 21:21:36

Here is a link to another site that has materials for teaching Scratch - lesson plans, activities, etc.
http://www.classroom20wiki.com/Scratch

It may be getting towards the end of the summer, but not too late to get your kids involved with some more Scratch!

Scratch

archived forums

#1 2008-07-25 10:12:13

using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#2 2008-07-25 19:30:22

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#3 2008-07-25 20:53:50

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#4 2008-07-26 07:53:03

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#5 2008-07-26 08:58:39

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

lsquaredmom wrote:

#6 2008-07-26 13:13:44

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

Bluestribute wrote:

#7 2008-07-26 13:17:02

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

lsquaredmom wrote:

Bluestribute wrote:

#8 2008-07-28 16:21:25

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#9 2008-07-28 17:05:37

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

lsquaredmom wrote:

#10 2008-08-19 15:27:04

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

#11 2008-08-20 21:21:36

Re: using Scratch as a summer project for my kids

Board footer