Advanced Scratch Activities¶

Day 2 Hands-On Activities¶

These activities support the Day 2 lesson plan: advanced Scratch concepts, complex projects, and curriculum integration.

Activity 1: Cloning – Multiple Sprites¶

Objective¶

Use cloning to create multiple copies of a sprite that act independently.

Instructions¶

Simple clone: Create a sprite (e.g. a ball or star). When green flag clicked, create clone of [myself] 5 times. Each clone should move in a different direction or pattern.
Clone with behaviour: Add when I start as a clone → move, bounce, change color, or other action. Use delete this clone when it reaches the edge or after a timer.
Example projects:
Falling rain or snow (clones fall from top)
Multiple enemies in a game
Particle effects (sparks, stars)
Test: Run and observe multiple clones moving independently.

Example block scripts (build these in Scratch)¶

Tip: In Scratch, create a new message or variable only when the block asks for one—type the name exactly (e.g. raindrop).

A) Launcher – create 8 clones (Sprite: “Raindrop”)

When green flag clicked
  hide
  go to x: (0) y: (180)
  repeat (8)
    create clone of (myself)
    change x by (40)

B) Each clone falls and deletes at the bottom

When I start as a clone
  show
  go to x: (pick random (-200) to (200)) y: (180)
  repeat until <touching (edge)?>
    change y by (-5)
    wait (0.05) seconds
  delete this clone

C) Simple “spark burst” (clone moves outward then vanishes)

When green flag clicked
  repeat (12)
    create clone of (myself)
    turn cw (30) degrees

When I start as a clone
  point in direction (pick random (0) to (360))
  repeat (20)
    move (5) steps
    change (color) effect by (5)
    wait (0.05) seconds
  delete this clone

D) Optional – only the original sprite creates clones (avoid double-firing)
Put all create clone of blocks under When green flag clicked on a hidden parent sprite; clones only run When I start as a clone.

Discussion¶

How is cloning useful in games and animations?
What would be hard without cloning? (Creating many sprites manually)

Extension¶

Clones that create more clones (recursive effect)
Clones that interact with the player (collision detection)

Activity 2: Broadcasting – Sprite Communication¶

Objective¶

Use broadcasting to coordinate actions between multiple sprites.

Instructions¶

Simple broadcast: Create 2–3 sprites. When sprite 1 is clicked, broadcast [message]. Other sprites use when I receive [message] to react (e.g. change color, move, say something).
Game example: Create a simple game with:
Player sprite (arrow keys to move)
Goal sprite (when player touches goal, broadcast "win")
Background or other sprites react to "win" (change color, play sound, show message)
Scene change: Use broadcasts to switch backgrounds or start new scenes in a story.

Example block scripts (build these in Scratch)¶

Step 1 – Make two new messages: dance and stopDance (Broadcast menu → New message).

Sprite 1 – “Leader” (e.g. cat)

When this sprite clicked
  broadcast (dance)

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (-150) y: (0)

Sprite 2 – “Follower” (e.g. duck)

When I receive (dance)
  say [Here we go!] for (1) seconds
  repeat (8)
    turn cw (15) degrees
    change (color) effect by (10)
    wait (0.1) seconds
  say [] for (0) seconds

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (150) y: (0)

Sprite 3 – “Announcer” (optional)

When I receive (dance)
  say [Everyone dance!] for (2) seconds

Simple “win” flow (touching goal)

Variables: none required. Messages: win.

Player

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (-170) y: (0)

When [left arrow] key pressed
  change x by (-10)

When [right arrow] key pressed
  change x by (10)

forever
  if <touching (Goal)?> then
    broadcast (win)
    wait (2) seconds
    stop [all]

Goal (static sprite)

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (170) y: (0)

Stage

When I receive (win)
  switch backdrop to (Backdrop2)
  start sound (Cheer) until done

(Add Backdrop2 and a Cheer sound from the library, or remove those lines.)

Celebration sprite (optional – Stage cannot say)

When I receive (win)
  say [You reached the goal!] for (3) seconds

broadcast and wait example – run receivers before the next line:

When green flag clicked
  broadcast (dance) and wait
  say [That was fun!] for (2) seconds

Discussion¶

How does broadcasting help coordinate multiple sprites?
When would you use "broadcast and wait" vs. just "broadcast"?

Extension¶

Multiple broadcasts for different events (start, pause, game over, level complete)
Chain reactions: one broadcast triggers another

Activity 3: Complex Game Design¶

Objective¶

Design and build a complete game with scoring, levels, and win/lose conditions.

Instructions¶

Choose game type: Platformer, maze, quiz, catch game, or your own idea.
Plan:
Player controls (arrow keys, mouse, etc.)
Objective (collect items, avoid enemies, answer questions)
Scoring system (variables: score, lives, level)
Win/lose conditions
Build:
Create player sprite and controls
Add collectibles or enemies (use cloning if multiple)
Implement scoring (when touching collectible, change score by 1)
Add win condition (if score ≥ 10, broadcast "win")
Add lose condition (if lives = 0, broadcast "game over")
Test and refine: Play the game, fix bugs, adjust difficulty.

Example block scripts – mini “catch” game¶

Sprites: Player (paddle), Apple (falling thing). Variables: For all sprites → score (starts at 0).

Player (paddle at bottom)

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (0) y: (-150)
  set (score) to (0)

forever
  set x to (mouse x)

Apple

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)

forever
  change y by (-4)
  if <touching (Player)?> then
    change (score) by (1)
    go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)
  if <(y position) < (-170)> then
    go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)

Show score on screen
The Stage in Scratch 3 does not have a say block. Do one of the following: - In Variables, tick the checkbox next to score to show a number monitor on the stage (right-click it → Large readout if you want it bigger), or - Add a tiny ScoreLabel sprite:

When green flag clicked
  go to front layer

forever
  say (join [Score: ] (score)) for (0.2) seconds

Win at 10 points – create message gameWon. Put this on Player or a Referee sprite (not the Stage):

When green flag clicked
  forever
    if <(score) > (9)> then
      broadcast (gameWon)
      stop [other scripts in sprite]

When I receive (gameWon)
  say [You win!] for (3) seconds
  stop [all]

(Use only one script that checks score > 9, or the message will spam.)

Example – lives + “game over”¶

Variable lives (for all sprites), start at 3. Message gameOver.

Apple – full loop with lives (replace your simple “miss” branch with this version)

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)

forever
  change y by (-4)
  if <touching (Player)?> then
    change (score) by (1)
    go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)
  if <(y position) < (-170)> then
    change (lives) by (-1)
    if <(lives) < (1)> then
      broadcast (gameOver)
      stop [other scripts in sprite]
    go to x: (pick random (-220) to (220)) y: (180)

When I receive (gameOver)
  hide
  stop [other scripts in sprite]

Player – set lives at start

When green flag clicked
  go to x: (0) y: (-150)
  set (score) to (0)
  set (lives) to (3)

Any character sprite (e.g. Player)

When I receive (gameOver)
  say [Game over!] for (3) seconds

Discussion¶

What makes a game fun and engaging?
How could you adapt this game for your subject area?

Extension¶

Add levels (increase difficulty, change background)
Add sound effects and music
Add instructions screen (broadcast "show instructions" at start)

Activity 4: Curriculum-Integrated Project¶

Objective¶

Create a Scratch project that teaches or practices a topic from your curriculum subject.

Instructions¶

Choose subject and topic: e.g. Maths (fractions), Science (water cycle), Languages (vocabulary), Social Studies (timeline).
Design the project:
What will learners do? (interact, answer questions, explore, create)
What will they learn? (learning objectives)
How will you assess? (quiz, demonstration, reflection)
Build: Implement the project in Scratch using concepts from Day 1 and Day 2.
Test: Try it yourself; ask a colleague to test it.
Share: Present your project idea to the group (2–3 minutes).

Example block scripts – vocabulary quiz with a list¶

List words, variable index (For this sprite only), sprite QuizCat. First, add the list and variable in the Variables tab. Optionally fill words in the list monitor instead of using the first script’s add lines.

When green flag clicked – setup + show first word

When green flag clicked
  delete (all) of (words)
  add [sun] to (words)
  add [moon] to (words)
  add [star] to (words)
  set (index) to (1)
  say (join [Spell: ] (item (index) of (words))) for (2) seconds

When [space] key pressed – check answer and go to next word

When [space] key pressed
  ask [Type the word:] and wait
  if <(answer) = (item (index) of (words))> then
    say [Correct!] for (1) seconds
    change (index) by (1)
    if <(index) > (length of (words))> then
      say [Quiz finished!] for (3) seconds
      stop [all]
    say (join [Spell: ] (item (index) of (words))) for (2) seconds
  else
    say [Try again] for (1) seconds

Adapt for your subject: use numbers (maths answers), definitions (science), or dates (history) instead of spelling.

Discussion¶

How does Scratch help learners understand your subject?
What challenges did you face? How did you solve them?

Extension¶

Create a lesson plan using this project (use template from resources)
Plan differentiation: how will you support different learners?

Objective¶

Explore assessment strategies and practice sharing Scratch projects.

Instructions¶

Review rubric: Look at the assessment rubric for Day 2. What criteria matter most for your project?
Self-assess: Use the rubric to assess your own project (or a practice project).
Peer review: Share your project with a partner. Partner gives feedback using the rubric.
Sharing options:
Share on Scratch online (if accounts allow)
Export project file (.sb3) to share offline
Present to group (demo and explain)
Remix: Remix a partner's project and add one feature.

Discussion¶

How will you assess Scratch projects in your classroom?
How can sharing and remixing support learning?

Extension¶

Create a portfolio plan: how will learners collect and showcase their Scratch projects?
Plan a showcase event: how will you celebrate learner projects?

Notes for Facilitators¶

Ensure everyone has Day 1 skills (variables, conditions) before starting cloning/broadcasting.
Allow time for extended project development; this is a key outcome of Day 2.
Emphasise curriculum integration; this helps teachers see immediate classroom value.
Link to Day 3: "Tomorrow we'll connect Scratch to physical hardware!"

Advanced Scratch Activities¶

Day 2 Hands-On Activities¶

Activity 1: Cloning – Multiple Sprites¶

Objective¶

Instructions¶

Example block scripts (build these in Scratch)¶

Discussion¶

Extension¶

Activity 2: Broadcasting – Sprite Communication¶

Objective¶

Instructions¶

Example block scripts (build these in Scratch)¶

Discussion¶

Extension¶

Activity 3: Complex Game Design¶

Objective¶

Instructions¶

Example block scripts – mini “catch” game¶

Example – lives + “game over”¶

Discussion¶

Extension¶

Activity 4: Curriculum-Integrated Project¶

Objective¶

Instructions¶

Example block scripts – vocabulary quiz with a list¶

Discussion¶

Extension¶

Activity 5: Assessment and Sharing¶

Objective¶

Instructions¶

Discussion¶

Extension¶

Notes for Facilitators¶