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#1 2010-11-22 13:50:39

haegy
New Scratcher
Registered: 2010-11-22
Posts: 2

How to teach Scratch to kids?

I'm going to try and teach this software to my 7 yo son, but don't know where to start.  He really wants to learn how to make these kind of projects, so that's a great 1st step!  Are there any easy projects out there that have a step-by-step type of guide that we could follow a few times to get a feel for Scratch before we start off on our own?

Any suggestions for teaching to young kids?  Anyone out there been here, done this?

Thanks

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#2 2010-11-22 14:05:15

Wolfie1996
Retired Community Moderator
Registered: 2009-07-08
Posts: 1000+

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

There are some Video Tutorials that might help you. Also, you might like to check out the Getting Started PDF. Both of these show a little of how to use various pieces of the interface.

The other links on the Support page are helpful, too. If you get stuck on anything, please feel free to ask - many Scratchers are willing to help  smile


"...Jargon - the practice of never calling a spade a spade, when you might instead call it a manual earth-restructing implement..." - Bill Bryson, Mother Tongue

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#3 2010-11-22 15:02:11

cheddargirl
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-09-15
Posts: 1000+

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

Hey haegy, aside from what Wolfie1996 suggests, you can also check out ScratchED, which is a website for educators; the members there might have some tips to help teach Scratch to younger kids.  smile


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#4 2010-11-22 15:14:16

HD123
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-12-05
Posts: 500+

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

haegy wrote:

I'm going to try and teach this software to my 7 yo son, but don't know where to start.  He really wants to learn how to make these kind of projects, so that's a great 1st step!  Are there any easy projects out there that have a step-by-step type of guide that we could follow a few times to get a feel for Scratch before we start off on our own?

Any suggestions for teaching to young kids?  Anyone out there been here, done this?

Thanks

Hi haegy, that sounds great that you're trying to teach your son Scratch programming!  I'm sure he'll love it!  I looked at your userpage and noticed that you haven't got any projects-do you know how to use Scratch yet?  If not, here are some tutorials created by users on Scratch.  Also, there are some more projects not in the gallery, you can find a few more at http://scratch.mit.edu/tags/view/tutorial and http://scratch.mit.edu/pages/results?cx=010101365770046705949%3Agg_q9cry0mq&cof=FORID%3A11&q=tutorial&safe=active&sa=search#1216.  I hope this helps, and good luck on teaching your son Scratch!

Last edited by HD123 (2010-11-22 15:30:09)


~~HD123~~
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#5 2010-11-24 11:16:02

haegy
New Scratcher
Registered: 2010-11-22
Posts: 2

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

Thanks all for your suggestions!  I'm trying to get educated on Scratch myself.

My son and I have tried a few things together, and so far, he loves it!  He's made a little game/animation similar to one of the examples, and was quite excited as he saw that what he scripts can actually control what happens on the screen.  It was very cool to see!  He wants to do alot more, so onward and upward!

Thanks again!

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#6 2010-11-24 12:36:14

subzerostig
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-09-08
Posts: 100+

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

Well what works best is when your son is enthusiastic.
When we learnt about scratch in school (about 2 lessons worth) I immediately downloaded it.
I now spend all my lunch on it andmmy PC time.
So if he's clearly not interested then don't force him.
If he's really interested then encourage him but lethim learn it himself

Hope it helps


There are 10 types of people people in this world, those that understand binary and those that do not: My latest Project: Present catcher V2                          06/12/2012

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#7 2010-11-25 08:14:56

PlutoIsHades
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-10-18
Posts: 1000+

Re: How to teach Scratch to kids?

I tried to teach scratch to my younger sister (she hates "little" sister) and she didn't really listen well.  BUT, she explored scratch and figured some of it out herself, withnhelp from me.  My advice, let him explore Scratch.  Teach him what the blocks do, but let him figure out how to make stuff.


Minecraft, Redwall, and Cyberchase fan, and PROUD.

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