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Coding and Animation in Scratch Facts & Worksheets

In Scratch, coding and animation play huge roles in the creation of digital projects. Scratch users write code (instructions or commands to computers) by assembling visual blocks in the script area.

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In Scratch, coding and animation play huge roles in the creation of digital projects. Scratch users write code (instructions or commands to computers) by assembling visual blocks in the script area. Learning this skill allows users to make any great concept come to life, whether it is a digital game, story book, etc. Animation is almost always part of the process. Users code to animate not just to make things on screen move, but also to communicate and connect to their audience.

See the fact file below for more information on the coding and animation in Scratch or alternatively, you can download our 28-page Coding and Animation in Scratch worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

How Coding and Animation Work Together

  • Coding is a skill that allows anyone to communicate in a language that a computer understands.
  • The person who writes code is called a computer programmer.
  • When a computer programmer writes code, he or she enters instructions to the computer so that it performs a specific task.
    The process looks something like this: Input -> Process -> Output.
  • Computer programmer inputs information, the computer deals with the given information, and the programmer gets output.
  • The output is the result after the computer runs the program. It could be anything – a game app, a website, a document, etc.
  • Animation is one of the many things that programmers can create using code.
  • Because of code, computer programmers can bring static images to life. They can create an illusion of movement that tricks the eye into seeing objects move on screen.
  • Animation allows for easy and quick communication between the programmer and the audience.
  • It helps transfer ideas and emotions from the creators to the audience in a matter of seconds.

Importance Of Animation In Today’s Digital Era

  • In a fast-paced digital world, people want content that is easy to access and consume.
  • This is why animation can be found in almost every corner of the digital and online space – in devices, apps, websites, chat rooms, social media posts and more.
  • It is extensively used in almost all, if not all, industries – entertainment, education, marketing, architecture, engineering, and more.
  • Most television series and movies that we have now are made using different animation techniques. Animated programs and movies, such as Frozen, Toy Story, and Spongebob Squarepants, have been enjoyed by so many people around the world.
  • Animated educational videos and learning modules have become very popular in our time, as they help educators explain more complex concepts in an engaging and easier to understand manner.
  • Animation in advertisements are also prevalent in our time. Creative and colorful animated advertisements entice people into buying a product.
  • Animation also helps architects and engineers come up with designs in a shorter amount of time and in a more cost-effective manner. They can explain the proposed designs to potential clients in a way that is easier to comprehend.

The Animation Process In Scratch

  • Before starting to code, make sure you register for a Scratch account.
  • Go to scratch.mit.edu and select Join Scratch to register. Just follow the instructions given until you complete your registration.
  • Once you have your own account, go to the homepage and click Create to make your animation project.
  • Scratch is a great platform for beginners who want to get started with coding and animation.
  • It allows users to code with visual coding blocks, and it has a library of 2D characters with different costumes that users can choose from.
  • While every animation process is different, most Scratch creators follow these essential steps in making their masterpiece:
    • Concept
    • Visual Design
    • Voiceover and Sound Effects
    • Coding
    • Debugging
    • Sharing
  • The concept is the backbone of creating a great animation project.
  • Before you start creating your project, these are some questions you need to ask – What is the purpose of this animation? What do I want to show my audience? What emotions do I want my audience to feel? What message do I want to send to my audience?
  • After establishing your concept, you need to think about how you would like the characters and backdrops to look. Should these elements follow a certain color scheme? Should they look more realistic or cartoonish? Visual design matters. It helps tell your story and enhances your audience’s overall experience.
  • Using background music, voiceovers, and sound effects makes any animation project more exciting. Sound is an important tool that allows users to bring life and put meaning behind character’s actions. Characters can laugh, cry, scream, and sing with sound.
  • Scratch users can only make things happen on screen by coding. Even if you have all the backdrops and characters you need to tell your story, your animation project will not be successful without code. Your computer needs to understand what you are commanding it to do. By inputting instructions with the use of your visual coding blocks, your computer can run the program.
  • Debugging in programming simply means to find the problem in your program and fix it. If there is something in your script that does not work, replace or remove the coding block that causes the error.
  • If everything runs smoothly and you are happy with the output, you can now share your project with the Scratch community. To do this, go to the top of your screen and you will see a text box with the Share button beside it. Rename your project and click Share.

Using The Worksheets

  • Using the following worksheets requires logging into your Scratch account.
  • These worksheets will serve as your guide in learning to code and animate further using Scratch.
  • If you desire a more in-depth tutorial on how to get started with Scratch, refer to Explore Coding with Scratch.

Coding and Animation in Scratch Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the coding and animation in Scratch across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Coding and Animation in Scratch worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the coding and animation in Scratch which play huge roles in the creation of digital projects. Scratch users write code (instructions or commands to computers) by assembling visual blocks in the script area. Learning this skill allows users to make any great concept come to life, whether it is a digital game, story book, etc. Animation is almost always part of the process. Users code to animate not just to make things on screen move, but also to communicate and connect to their audience.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Coding and Animation Facts
  • Code to Animate
  • The Animation Process
  • Moving Artwork
  • Talking Portrait
  • Living Artwork Challenge
  • Animated E-Card
  • Animated GIF
  • Animated Stickers
  • Animated Screensaver
  • Animated Avatar

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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