Scratch

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50 mins

Teacher/Student led

Lesson Files

+140 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC or iPad/Tablet

Using messages

In this lesson we learn about another way to start characters talking at the correct time using the "message" blocks.

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1 Create a new project
2 Add two backdrops
3 Add two characters
4 Hide Pico
5 Nano's Planet
6 Broadcast message1
7 Receive message1
8 Broadcast message2
9 Receive message2
10 Challenge!
Quiz

1 - Create a new project

Create a new Scratch project and delete the cat sprite.

Scratch: How to create a new project

Go to the Scratch website using the link below and click on the 'Create' link in the blue bar at the top.

By default, each new project starts with the cat sprite already added. To delete the cat click on the x in the blue circle beside the cat in the sprite list.

https://scratch.mit.edu

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Add two backdrops

In this story, two characters from two different worlds tell us about their planets. So let's start off by adding the following two backdrops to our project:

Add the backdrop 'Mountain'
Add the backdrop 'Space'

Scratch: How to add a backdrop from the library

To add a backdrop from the backdrop library follow these steps:

Put your mouse over the Choose a Backdrop button
Click on the magnifying glass
Find the backdrop you want in the library
Click on your chosen backdrop

You can use search box or the filter links (Fantasy, Music, Sports etc) to locate your backdrop.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Add two characters

Next let's add our two characters to our project. Add the two following sprites from the sprite library:

Add the sprite 'Nano'
Add the sprite 'Pico'

We want Pico to face the other way so follow these steps to flip the sprite:

Click on the Pico sprite in the sprite list
Click on the "Costumes" tab
Click the "Flip Horizontal" button

Scratch: How to add a sprite from the library

To add a sprite from the sprite library follow these steps:

Put your mouse over the Choose a Sprite button
Click on the magnifying glass
Find the sprite you want in the library
Click on your chosen sprite

You can use search box or the filter links (Animals, People, Fantasy etc) to locate your sprite.

+15 XP

4 - Hide Pico

Pico does not appear at the start of our story, so add the following code to the Pico sprite to hide him.

When green flag clicked hide

+5 XP

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Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu