Scratch Project Templates

Day 1 Project Ideas and Templates

Project 1: Moving Cat (Beginner)

Time: 30-45 minutes Learning Objectives: - Navigate Scratch interface - Use motion blocks - Understand events

Instructions

1. Open Scratch and create a new project

2. Make the cat move:

   when green flag clicked
   move 10 steps
   

3. Add continuous movement:

   when green flag clicked
   forever
      move 10 steps
   end
   

4. Add turning:

   when green flag clicked
   forever
      move 10 steps
      if on edge, bounce
   end
   

5. Add sound:

   when green flag clicked
   forever
      move 10 steps
      if on edge, bounce
      play sound [meow]
   end
   

Extensions

• Change the sprite
• Add more sprites
• Change speed
• Add different sounds

---

Project 2: Dancing Sprite (Intermediate)

Time: 45-60 minutes Learning Objectives: - Use looks blocks - Combine motion and appearance - Use repeat loops

Instructions

1. Choose a sprite (or create your own)

2. Create a dance sequence:

   when green flag clicked
   repeat 4
      move 20 steps
      turn 90 degrees
      next costume
      wait 0.5 seconds
   end
   

3. Add size changes:

   when green flag clicked
   repeat 4
      change size by 10
      move 20 steps
      turn 90 degrees
      next costume
      wait 0.5 seconds
   end
   

4. Make it continuous:

   when green flag clicked
   forever
      repeat 4
         change size by 10
         move 20 steps
         turn 90 degrees
         next costume
         wait 0.5 seconds
      end
      repeat 4
         change size by -10
         move 20 steps
         turn 90 degrees
         next costume
         wait 0.5 seconds
      end
   end
   

Extensions

• Add background music
• Create multiple dancing sprites
• Add color effects
• Create a synchronized dance

---

Project 3: Interactive Story (Intermediate)

Time: 60-90 minutes Learning Objectives: - Use multiple events - Create scenes with backgrounds - Add user interaction

Instructions

1. Plan your story:
2. Beginning, middle, end
3. Characters
4. Settings (backgrounds)

5. User interactions

6. Set up backgrounds:

7. Add at least 3 backgrounds

8. Name them clearly

9. Create opening scene:

   when green flag clicked
   switch backdrop to [Scene 1]
   say [Once upon a time...] for 2 seconds
   

10. Add character interactions:

    when this sprite clicked
    say [Hello! Click the arrow to continue] for 2 seconds
    

11. Add scene transitions:

    when [right arrow] key pressed
    switch backdrop to [next backdrop]
    

12. Add multiple characters:

13. Each character can have different scripts
14. Use "broadcast" to coordinate actions

Story Template Structure

Scene 1: Introduction - Introduce characters - Set the scene - Present a problem

Scene 2: Development - Character tries to solve problem - User makes choices - Consequences of choices

Scene 3: Resolution - Problem is solved - Lesson learned - Happy ending

Extensions

• Add sound effects
• Create multiple endings based on choices
• Add animations
• Include educational content

---

Project 4: Score Keeper with timer (Variables + loops)

Time: 45–60 minutes
Learning Objectives: - Create and use variables (score, time) - Use forever, repeat until, and conditions together - Coordinate two scripts that both start with the green flag

Instructions

1. Create two variables (For all sprites is easiest so you can show monitors on the stage):
2. score — how many times the player caught the sprite

3. time — seconds left in the round

4. Build three scripts on the same sprite (e.g. the cat). Together they give: reset score, countdown, click to score, sprite jumps to a new random place every second while time is left, then Game Over!

Script 1 — reset score when the game starts

When green flag clicked
  set (score) to (0)

Script 2 — click adds a point; sprite keeps jumping while time remains

When this sprite clicked
  change (score) by (1)
  forever
    if <(time) > (0)> then
      go to (random position)
      wait (1) seconds

Motion: use go to and choose random position from the dropdown (Scratch 3).

Script 3 — 10 second countdown, then message

When green flag clicked
  set (time) to (10)
  repeat until <(time) = (0)>
    wait (1) seconds
    change (time) by (-1)

  say [Game Over!] for (2) seconds

The final say [Game Over!] attaches under the green flag, after the repeat until loop—not inside the loop.

What you should see when you run it

1. Green flag: score resets to 0, time counts down from 10 to 0 (about 10 seconds).
2. Before time runs out, each click on the sprite adds 1 to score and starts the sprite jumping to a random position every 1 second (only while time > 0).
3. When time reaches 0, the sprite says Game Over! for 2 seconds.

Common mistake: many forever loops from repeated clicks

Every time the player clicks, Script 2 starts another forever loop. Several clicks → several loops running at once (weird speed / behaviour).

Recommended fix — keep one movement loop on the green flag, and use the click only for scoring:

When green flag clicked
  forever
    if <(time) > (0)> then
      go to (random position)
      wait (1) seconds

When this sprite clicked
  if <(time) > (0)> then
    change (score) by (1)

Then the sprite moves automatically during the round; clicks only increase score. Remove the old “click + forever” stack if you use this pattern.

Extensions

• Add play sound [pop] until done when the sprite is clicked
• Show join [Score: ] (score) with a say block or variable monitor
• Change starting time (e.g. 20) or count faster
• Add You Win! if score reaches a target before time runs out
• Use several sprites, each with its own click script sharing the same score and time

---

Project 5: Number Guessing Game (Conditions)

Time: 60-90 minutes Learning Objectives: - Use operators - Apply conditions (if-then-else) - Use repeat until for a game loop - Create interactive games

Instructions

1. Create variables (For all sprites or for this sprite only—your choice):
2. secret number — the hidden value (1–10)
3. guess — the player’s latest answer

4. attempts — how many guesses so far

5. Build this complete script on one sprite (e.g. the cat).
   It matches the usual classroom layout: intro → loop with Too low / Too high → final line Correct! Attempts: ….

When green flag clicked
  set (secret number) to (pick random (1) to (10))
  set (attempts) to (0)
  say [I am thinking of a number between 1 and 10, can you guess it?] for (2) seconds
  repeat until <(guess) = (secret number)>
    ask [Enter your guess:] and wait
    set (guess) to (answer)
    change (attempts) by (1)
    if <(guess) < (secret number)> then
      say [Too low!] for (2) seconds
    else
      if <(guess) > (secret number)> then
        say [Too high!] for (2) seconds

  say (join [Correct! Attempts: ] (attempts)) for (2) seconds

Nest the if / else blocks inside the repeat until. The final say (join …) block attaches under the when green flag clicked hat, after the whole repeat until loop—not inside the loop.

1. What you should see when you run it
2. After each wrong guess: Too low! or Too high! (for 2 seconds).
3. When the guess is correct, the loop stops (no “too low/high” on that turn).
4. Then the sprite says Correct! Attempts: followed by the number of tries, e.g. Correct! Attempts: 4.

Common mistake (wrong if inside the loop)

Some scripts use an else branch like “if guess = secret number then say Too high”. That is backwards: when the guess equals the secret, the game is correct, not too high.

• Too low → guess < secret number
• Too high → guess > secret number
• Correct → handled by exiting repeat until; the join line runs after the loop.

Extensions

• Increase number range
• Add maximum attempts limit
• Create difficulty levels
• Add hints
• Track best score

---

Project 6: Shape Drawer (Custom Blocks)

Time: 60-90 minutes Learning Objectives: - Create custom blocks (functions) - Understand code reuse - Apply mathematical concepts

Instructions

1. Create custom block for square:
2. Go to "My Blocks"
3. Click "Make a Block"
4. Name it "draw square"

5. Click "OK"

6. Define the square function:

   define draw square
   repeat 4
      move 50 steps
      turn 90 degrees
   end
   

7. Use the custom block:

   when green flag clicked
   go to x: 0 y: 0
   draw square
   

8. Create triangle function:

   define draw triangle
   repeat 3
      move 50 steps
      turn 120 degrees
   end
   

9. Create pattern:

   when green flag clicked
   go to x: 0 y: 0
   repeat 4
      draw square
      turn 90 degrees
   end
   

10. Add parameters:

11. Create block "draw square with size"
12. Add number input parameter
13. Use parameter in function

Extensions

• Create functions for other shapes
• Add color parameters
• Create complex patterns
• Build geometric art

---

Assessment Criteria

Beginner Projects (Moving Cat, Dancing Sprite)

• Uses basic blocks correctly
• Project runs without errors
• Shows understanding of events

Intermediate Projects (Interactive Story, Score Keeper)

• Uses multiple concepts together
• Includes user interaction
• Code is organized and readable

Advanced Projects (Number Guessing Game, Shape Drawer)

• Uses variables and conditions effectively
• Creates reusable code (custom blocks)
• Solves problems creatively

---

Tips for Teachers

1. Start Simple: Begin with basic projects and add complexity
2. Encourage Experimentation: Let students explore and modify
3. Celebrate Mistakes: Errors are learning opportunities
4. Share Projects: Use Scratch community for inspiration
5. Connect to Curriculum: Link projects to subject content

---

Student Handout Template

Project Name: _____

Learning Goal: _____

Steps: 1. __ 2. __ 3. _____

Challenge: _____

Extension: _____

What I Learned: _____