Scratch Jr. Semester 1 of Coding for Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade

The majority of teachers offer coding classes to ages 8 and above. I feel coding can be taught to younger learners with patience, encouragement, and engagement. This is one of the very few classes designed for grades K-3. ScratchJr utilizes block programming to allow children to create their own imaginative stories and games. It is a free app available on iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks. More FAQs are available here: https://www.scratchjr.org/about/faq

Please test your devices for compatibility prior to registering for this class.
iOS devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086?ls=1
Android Tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratchjr.android
Chromebook: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/scratchjr/oipimoeophamdcmjcfameoojlbhbgjda?hl=en

My style of teaching is very interactive and engaging. Each student will be able to share and express themselves as they feel comfortable. Each lesson will leave them excited to create projects using the coding knowledge they acquired in class. The curriculum focuses on building on students’ knowledge of ScratchJr in order to ease their transition into learning Scratch in future grades.

This is a semester-long course lasting 12 weeks. If you are a homeschooler needing the objectives and standards met in each lesson, it can be provided upon request. We will advance each week based on students' progress. 

The general outline will be as follows:

Lesson 1: Dancing Alone - In this introductory lesson, coders create a silly dance for Scratch Cat using motion blocks. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce young coders to creating algorithmic sequences in ScratchJr.

Lesson 2: Can't Stop Dancing - Coders use the repeat block to repeat a silly dance for Scratch Cat using motion blocks. The purpose of this project is to introduce young coders to repeating algorithmic sequences in ScratchJr.

Lesson 3: Dance Party - Coders use the start on green flag block to create a silly dance party using motion blocks. The purpose of this project is to introduce young coders to adding sprites in code and triggering algorithms with the green flag in ScratchJr.

Lesson 4: Starry Night - Coders learn how to use repeat forever blocks with loops and control blocks to create a simulated environment. The purpose of this project is to introduce new blocks and block combinations that are triggered by the green flag.

Lesson 5: Under the Sea - Coders review how to use repeat forever blocks with looks and control blocks to create a different simulated environment. The purpose of this project is to continue applying understanding from the previous project to trigger new blocks and block combinations with the green flag.

Lesson 6: Fidget Spinner - Coders create their own fidget spinner sprite using the paint editor and motion blocks to animate their fidget spinner when they press the start on tap trigger. The purpose of this project is to introduce coders to create their own sprites and the start on tap trigger.

Lesson 7: Outer Space - Coders use a variety of blocks and sprites to create their own interactive diorama on outer space. The purpose of this project is to continue applying understanding from previous projects.

Lesson 8: Animal House - Coders use a variety of blocks and sprites to create their own interactive diorama about animals on a farm. The purpose of this project is to introduce coders to the sound blocks.

Lesson 9: Musical Instrument - Coders will trigger sound blocks to play a musical instrument made out of different sprites. The purpose of this project is to review creating sprites and triggering sound blocks when a sprite is tapped. Another purpose of this project is to also introduce remixing.

Lesson 10-12: Randomized Synthesis Project - Coders storyboard projects based on the randomized idea(s) and create a project based on their storyboard. The purpose of this project is to synthesize understandings into a project with up to three randomized ideas. This final project will be comprehensive of all the skills acquired through our previous lessons. Students will be able to share their projects with each other.