This has got to be one of my favourite apps for pupils. I tend to use it with Years 2 and 3, and I’ve found that it gives pupils a great grounding for the “full-fat” version.
For the first lesson we usually just tinker with app, getting used to the icons and discovering what it offers without being too prescriptive about outcomes and learning objectives.
The graphics are child-friendly and most pupils are quick to pick up an understanding of what the different blocks can do.
Here are some ideas of how to get the best out Scratch Jnr:
- Link it to maths for young learners. If you switch on the grid, pupils can use this to calculate the number of moves the sprite does.
- Use the grow and shrink blocks to get your sprites the right size for the background scene.
- Use the wait block to create well-timed conversations between two sprites.
- Encourage and explore story-telling and change backgrounds as the story progresses.
- Create some cause and effect scenes by using the start on bump block.
Scratch Jnr has it’s own website with lots of ideas to get you started and the app is free to download. And if you feel you need any help or training to get using Scratch Jnr in the classroom then please get in touch with me.
PBJ Education 