Level Up with Scratch: Squash “Bugs” and Conquer Challenges: Creative Problem-Solving
As Scratchers begin exploring computational concepts that are common in many programming languages (sequence, loops, parallelism, events, conditionals, operators, and data), they may run into common errors that will challenge their problem-solving skills and reinforce the importance of iteration and a growth mindset. As facilitators, we want to support playful learning and tinkering mindset values, so that participants can experiment, share, and celebrate ideas, as well as develop a mindset that is comfortable with the discomfort of getting stuck and thinks critically about strategies for getting unstuck. Join us to see some examples of coding and debugging challenges you can explore with your learners, as we discuss debugging strategies and where they can look for help and inspiration on the Scratch platform.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
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Downloads & Links
Tags
Platform
Scratch
Audience
Educators and FacilitatorsStudents and Learners
Experience Level
Getting StartedIntermediateAdvanced Concepts
Type
WorkshopVideoSlide Deck
Topic
Creative Learning: PlanningCreative Learning: ReflectionCreative Learning: Testing and Debugging
Language
English
Related Resources
DebuggingDebugging is finding and fixing issues or errors in your code that result in it not working as expected or at all. Issues are often called bugs. Use these strategies to find bugs and fix problems.
Learn MoreReflection and Sharing SheetsReflection is an important part of the Creative Learning Spiral. Use these sheets to facilitate project sharing and reflection on the creative process in your classroom.
Learn MoreScratch Design JournalWorksheets to help learners imagine, plan, iterate, and reflect throughout all of the phases of their project's development.
Learn MoreScratch's Creative Learning PhilosophyScratch pioneered block-based programming, enabling young people to learn to code creatively and interactively. Creating Scratch projects fosters the development of computational and creative thinking skills that are critical for future success: learners identify problems, break them into smaller parts, debug them, and iterate on solutions.
Over the years, we’ve loved seeing the unique, exciting strategies educators use to explore Scratch and creative learning in their classrooms, clubs, and beyond. To learn more about our Creative Learning Philosophy, see our guide that lays out our guiding stars and includes a trove of facilitation tips and recommended reading. And we encourage you to explore the variety of Creative Learning Materials in our Learning Library (including lesson plans, coding cards, and educator guides).
When we adapt/remix or develop a creative coding activity/lesson, we look to:
Design for tinkering and learning through play
Design spaces for learners to bring themselves in and see themselves in the lesson (considerations we call the 4/5 P’s): Peers, Passion, Projects, Play, and Purpose
Allow multiple pathways of engagement to foster a wide diversity of projects and support different experience levels (what we call low floors, wide walls, high ceilings or the “house model”)
Create opportunities that naturally guide learners through the creative learning spiral (an iterative process of imagining, creating, playing, sharing, reflecting, and imagining again) by building in time and opportunities to play, share. and reflect
As facilitators, we want to support playful learning and tinkering mindset values, so that participants can:
Engage playfully in projects that are meaningful to them and elicit joy
Collaborate with peers to experiment, share, and celebrate ideas
Develop a mindset that is comfortable with the discomfort of getting stuck (making room for risk and iteration)
Develop a mindset that thinks critically about strategies for getting unstuck (saving space for the process to start again or help them imagine what’s next)
Learn MoreLevel Up with Scratch: Make Some Music with ScratchUsing sound in a game, animation, story, or interactive project can add depth and emotion. The Scratch sound library is full of a variety of sound effects, instrument notes, and music loops, or there is an option to upload your own sound clips. And by adding the music extension blocks, you can use the sounds of a variety of instruments and actual notes with customizable beat lengths to create digital instruments, songs, and more! Join us to explore some of the ways you can use sound and add another element of creativity to Scratch projects.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
Workshop Series Sponsor:
Learn MoreLevel Up with Scratch: Boring Backdrops Begone: Animating Backdrops with CodeBackgrounds/backdrops in Scratch can be more than just static images. They can set the tone of a project, change with the scene or the mood or the lighting, and even move so your characters can explore an expanded world. And don't worry, you don't need to be the world's greatest artist to create unique backdrops that add texture and life to your project. Join us to explore tips and tricks for designing your own backdrop and animating it with code.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
Workshop Series Sponsor:
Learn MoreLevel Up with Scratch: Create Dynamic Scratch Projects with the Power of Conditional StatementsCreate dynamic games, customized stories, and more using conditional statements paired with reporter and operator blocks in Scratch, which hold valuable information about sprite positioning, costumes, user input, and more. Learn about the computational concept of conditional statements, which allow for a variety of project outcomes that keep players coming back for more. And embrace getting stuck and unstuck while experimenting, iterating, testing, and debugging. Join us to make dynamic Scratch programs that build computational thinking skills while you are having fun.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
Workshop Series Sponsor:
Learn MoreLevel Up with Scratch: Create Interactive Art with ScratchMake art come alive by creating interactive art pieces that are unique each time a Scratch project is run. Create art by stamping images on the stage or drawing with your voice or your nose! Or reimagine a famous artist's work that can speak or change color or dance. Join us to make art in unique and fun ways with code.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
Workshop Series Sponsor:
Learn MoreLevel Up with Scratch: Super-Charge Your Game DesignReady to level up a simple Scratch game? Join us to explore how to first create a game, and then, add layers of complexity involving concepts like gravity and a player health bar to challenge young coders who want to level up their game design, as well as make the game more engaging for players. We'll also investigate alternate ways to control the player sprite beyond just arrow keys, including controlling the object using your face or the volume of your voice, making your project more accessible and a fresh take on the usual keyboard games.
The Scratch Foundation is grateful to AT&T for its support of this workshop series. We have teamed up with The Achievery from AT&T to provide free beginner and intermediate creative coding lesson plans on a variety of topics for educators, caregivers, and learners. Sign up (for free!) by using our custom code "SCRATCH" when you register to support our work at theachievery.com.
Workshop Series Sponsor:
Learn More