ScratchJr uses colorful blocks to program actions and behaviors for characters and objects. These blocks are grouped into categories, each having a unique purpose. Understanding these categories is crucial for creating animations, games, and stories in ScratchJr.
In ScratchJr, the blocks are designed to be visually intuitive and easy to connect, making them accessible for young learners. The blocks are puzzle-piece shaped to indicate their function and how they interact with other blocks. Let’s explore each block category in ScratchJr, what the blocks do, and what their shapes mean!
1. Triggering or Event Blocks (Yellow)
- Purpose: The Triggering blocks are used to start or trigger scripts based on events. They always appear at the beginning of a script.
- What you can do: You can use any of these blocks to start a sequence of actions.
- Example Blocks:
- Start on Green Flag: Starts the sequence when the green flag is tapped.
- Start on Tap: Activates when the character is tapped.
- Start on Bump: Activates when two sprites touch each other.
- Start on Message: Runs the script when a specific message is received.
2. Motion Blocks (Blue)
- Purpose: These blocks control the movement of characters on the stage.
- What you can do: You can make your sprite to move, rotate and hop
- Example Blocks:
- Move Right/Left/Up/Down: Makes the character move in a specified direction.
- Turn Clockwise/Counterclockwise: Rotates the character.
- Hop: Makes the character Jump.
- Go Home: Brings the character back to its original spot.
3. Looks Blocks (Purple)
- Purpose: These blocks Change the appearance or visibility of characters on stage.
- What you can do: You can make your sprite grow, shrink, show, hide and say a message.
- Example Blocks:
- Say Block (shows a speech bubble).
- Grow/Shrink: Increases or decreases the character’s size.
- Hide/Show: Makes the character disappear or reappear.
4. Sound Blocks (Green)
- Purpose: These blocks are used to add audio effects or narration to projects.
- What you can do: You can Play sound effects, background music, or record your voice.
- Example Blocks:
- Play Pop Sound: Plays a default popping sound.
- Record and Play: Allows recording and playing custom sounds.
5. Control Blocks (Orange)
- Purpose: These blocks manage the flow of the script, such as repeating or pausing actions.
- What you can do: You can manage timing and repetition in actions.
- Example Blocks:
- Wait: Pauses for a specified time before the next action.
- Stop: Ends a sequence or stops all actions.
- Set Speed: Changes the speed at which a character moves or performs animations.
6. End Block (Red)
- Purpose: These blocks manage the flow and termination of actions in ScratchJr projects.
- What you can do: You can use it to indicate the end of a script or to repeat the scripts forever.
- Example Blocks:
- End: Signifies the end of a loop or a sequence.
- Repeat Forever: Repeats a sequence of actions indefinitely, as long as the script is active.
Now you know what each category does and how to recognize the blocks with colors. With these programming blocks, you can bring your creative ideas to life, whether it’s making characters move, adding sounds, or creating exciting animations!
Ready to create your own ScratchJr projects? Keep experimenting and have fun coding!