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Scratch Programming Concepts

Contributed by Karen Brennan, August 08, 2009
This document describes the computational skills and concepts that young people learn while creating with Scratch.
  • Original Author: Natalie Rusk
  • Education Level: Preschool and Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College and University, Professional Development, Other
  • Content Types: Assessment, Handout, Tutorial, Advocacy Material
  • Curricular Areas: Computer Science, Technology
  • Keywords: overview, programming

In the process of creating interactive stories, games, and animations with Scratch, young people can learn important computational skills and concepts. They can learn problem-solving and project-design skills, such as reasoning logically, debugging problems, developing ideas from initial conception to completed project, and sustaining focus. They can also learn specific programming concepts, such as sequences, iteration, conditionals, variables, and data structures.

 

 

Resource Files
Other Files: 
application/pdf iconScratchProgrammingConcepts-v14.pdf
Comments
Grant Smith
Member
March 09, 2016
Got it, thanks! I hadn't realized the "Make a Block" feature was added later on. 
Natalie Rusk
Member
January 04, 2017
We have now created an updated version of this computational concepts handout. It includes "Make a Block" and other concepts that were added in Scratch 2.0. You can find it posted here: Computational Concepts Supported in Scratch (2017)
Grant Smith
Member
March 03, 2016
At the bottom of this document there are a few programming concepts not currently introduced in scratch including: procedures and functions.

What about the "Make a Block" feature. To me, this allows for abstraction and the ability to create procedures and functions. Am I way off with this idea? Does anyone else agree?

Thanks for any input!
Karen Brennan
Member
March 03, 2016
I don't think you're off at all. This is a document from 2009—well before the introduction of the "Make a Block" feature. :)