Getting Started with Scratch

1What is Scratch?

Scratch is a free programming language for children. Like Turtle Blocks, you snap blocks together, but in Scratch you program characters, called sprites, to move, talk, change and make sounds.

2Opening Scratch

• Online: open a web browser, go to scratch.mit.edu and click Create.
• Offline: open the Scratch app if it is installed on your computer.

3The Scratch window

• The stage (top right) is where your sprites act out the program. The green flag above it starts the program, and the red stop sign stops it.
• The sprite list (under the stage) shows all your sprites. A new project starts with the Scratch cat. The backdrop button next to it changes the picture behind the sprites.
• The block categories (left) sort the blocks by colour: Motion, Looks, Sound, Events, Control, Sensing, Operators, Variables.
• The code area (middle) is where you drag and snap blocks together.
• The tabs at the top: Code, Costumes (the different looks of a sprite) and Sounds.

4Your first program

1. Click Events and drag out when green flag clicked.
2. Click Looks and snap say Hello! for 2 seconds under it. Change the words to "Muraho!"
3. Click Motion and snap move 10 steps under that.
4. Click the green flag. Your sprite greets you and moves!

5Saving, opening and closing

• Save: type a name for your project. Offline, or with no account, click File, then Save to your computer. With a Scratch account, click File, then Save now.
• Open a project you saved: File, then Load from your computer.
• Close: save first, then close the browser tab or the Scratch app.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.