Learning objective
Block Coding
Block-Based Programming & Visual Scripting
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Master visual programming by snapping together color-coded logic blocks in environments like ScratchJr and Scratch to create interactive stories, animations, and games.
Drag & Snap
Drag and connect visual code blocks to execute simple motion sequences.
Let's Go!
Learn
In block-based programming environments like ScratchJr, instructions are shaped like visual puzzle pieces. Motion blocks move sprites across the screen, and trigger blocks start the action when tapped.
Try it yourself
Connect Movement Blocks
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognises block shapes with teacher assistance.
Developing
Drags and snaps motion blocks together in a single script.
Secure (Goal)
Independently snaps motion blocks in correct order and runs the script to move a character.
Mastery
Explains how block order changes character movement and fixes detached blocks.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Drag & Snap includes:
- Core Deliverable: Connect Movement Blocks
- Target Quality: Independently snaps motion blocks in correct order and runs the script to move a character.
- Excellence & Polish: Explains how block order changes character movement and fixes detached blocks.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See Think Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognises block shapes with teacher assistance.
- Developing: Drags and snaps motion blocks together in a single script.
- Secure: Independently snaps motion blocks in correct order and runs the script to move a character.
- Mastering: Explains how block order changes character movement and fixes detached blocks.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.01.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.01.B.1.1 — Drag and connect visual code blocks to execute simple motion sequences.
PYP: Form · Digital code uses structured blocks to communicate instructions to sprites.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Events & Actions
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Events & Actions
Trigger sprite scripts using interactive event blocks like key presses and sprite clicks.
Learning objective
Learn how event blocks trigger specific scripts when keys are pressed or characters are clicked.
Let's Go!
Learn
Event blocks act as program starters. Because they trigger scripts based on user input—such as clicking a flag, pressing a key, or tapping a sprite—they always sit at the top of a block stack.
Try it yourself
Create Interactive Events
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies event blocks by their curved top hat shape.
Developing
Connects event blocks to movement and sound actions.
Secure (Goal)
Creates interactive scripts using 'when space key pressed' and 'when this sprite clicked'.
Mastery
Designs an interactive scene where multiple keys control different character actions.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Events & Actions includes:
- Core Deliverable: Create Interactive Events
- Target Quality: Creates interactive scripts using 'when space key pressed' and 'when this sprite clicked'.
- Excellence & Polish: Designs an interactive scene where multiple keys control different character actions.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Zoom In
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies event blocks by their curved top hat shape.
- Developing: Connects event blocks to movement and sound actions.
- Secure: Creates interactive scripts using 'when space key pressed' and 'when this sprite clicked'.
- Mastering: Designs an interactive scene where multiple keys control different character actions.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.01.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.01.B.1.1 — Trigger sprite scripts using interactive event blocks like key presses and sprite clicks.
PYP: Function · Events allow digital programs to respond instantly to user interactions.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: Loops & Costumes
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Loops & Costumes
Combine repeat loops with costume switches to animate walking and talking characters.
Learning objective
Use repeat loops and costume switching blocks to create smooth character walking animations.
Let's Go!
Learn
To make a sprite look like it is walking, we switch between its costume poses inside a repeat loop. Adding a tiny 'wait' block prevents the animation from playing too fast for the human eye.
Try it yourself
Animate a Walking Sprite
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognises repeat C-blocks in Scratch.
Developing
Places costume switch blocks inside a repeat loop.
Secure (Goal)
Constructs an animated walking script using 'repeat (10)', 'next costume', and 'wait (0.1) secs'.
Mastery
Adjusts loop count and wait timing to optimize animation speed and smoothness.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Loops & Costumes includes:
- Core Deliverable: Animate a Walking Sprite
- Target Quality: Constructs an animated walking script using 'repeat (10)', 'next costume', and 'wait (0.1) secs'.
- Excellence & Polish: Adjusts loop count and wait timing to optimize animation speed and smoothness.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Before After Slider
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognises repeat C-blocks in Scratch.
- Developing: Places costume switch blocks inside a repeat loop.
- Secure: Constructs an animated walking script using 'repeat (10)', 'next costume', and 'wait (0.1) secs'.
- Mastering: Adjusts loop count and wait timing to optimize animation speed and smoothness.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.02.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.02.B.1.1 — Combine repeat loops with costume switches to animate walking and talking characters.
PYP: Change · Iteration and costume changes create realistic movement and animation cycles.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Broadcast & Messages
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Broadcast & Messages
Synchronize multi-character conversations and scene transitions using broadcast messaging.
Learning objective
Understand how 'broadcast message' and 'when I receive message' blocks coordinate actions across multiple sprites.
Let's Go!
Learn
Broadcast blocks send invisible signal messages across a Scratch project. When Sprite A sends 'broadcast [message1]', Sprite B hears it via its 'when I receive [message1]' event block and starts its response.
Try it yourself
Create a Synchronized Dialogue
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies broadcast blocks in the Events category.
Developing
Sends a broadcast message from one sprite to another.
Secure (Goal)
Builds a synchronized two-character dialogue story using broadcast messages.
Mastery
Debugs message timing errors when multiple broadcasts conflict during complex stories.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Broadcast & Messages includes:
- Core Deliverable: Create a Synchronized Dialogue
- Target Quality: Builds a synchronized two-character dialogue story using broadcast messages.
- Excellence & Polish: Debugs message timing errors when multiple broadcasts conflict during complex stories.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Chalk Talk
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies broadcast blocks in the Events category.
- Developing: Sends a broadcast message from one sprite to another.
- Secure: Builds a synchronized two-character dialogue story using broadcast messages.
- Mastering: Debugs message timing errors when multiple broadcasts conflict during complex stories.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.02.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.02.B.1.1 — Synchronize multi-character conversations and scene transitions using broadcast messaging.
PYP: Connection · Inter-sprite communication enables synchronized storytelling and scene changes.
Learner profile: Principled
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: Sensing & Conditionals
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Sensing & Conditionals
Build interactive games using 'if-then' conditional blocks combined with color/sprite sensing.
Learning objective
Apply 'if-then' blocks and sensing blocks ('touching sprite?', 'key pressed?') to detect game collisions.
Let's Go!
Learn
Sensing blocks return TRUE or FALSE answers. When placed inside an 'if-then' C-block inside a 'forever' loop, the program constantly checks for conditions—like touching a goal, hitting an obstacle, or pressing a key.
Try it yourself
Program Maze Collision Logic
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognises hexagonal Sensing blocks fitting into IF conditional slots.
Developing
Inserts a 'touching color?' sensing block inside an 'if-then' statement.
Secure (Goal)
Programs a maze game where touching a wall restarts the character at the beginning.
Mastery
Combines 'forever' loops with multiple conditional sensing blocks for score keeping.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Sensing & Conditionals includes:
- Core Deliverable: Program Maze Collision Logic
- Target Quality: Programs a maze game where touching a wall restarts the character at the beginning.
- Excellence & Polish: Combines 'forever' loops with multiple conditional sensing blocks for score keeping.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See Think Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognises hexagonal Sensing blocks fitting into IF conditional slots.
- Developing: Inserts a 'touching color?' sensing block inside an 'if-then' statement.
- Secure: Programs a maze game where touching a wall restarts the character at the beginning.
- Mastering: Combines 'forever' loops with multiple conditional sensing blocks for score keeping.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.03.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.03.B.1.1 — Build interactive games using 'if-then' conditional blocks combined with color/sprite sensing.
PYP: Perspective · Conditional sensing enables games to detect collisions, boundaries, and scores.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: Cloning & Custom Blocks
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Cloning & Custom Blocks
Optimize complex Scratch projects using sprite cloning and reusable custom 'My Blocks'.
Learning objective
Create custom 'My Blocks' (procedures) and manage dynamic sprite cloning for advanced game mechanics.
Let's Go!
Learn
Cloning allows a single master sprite to spawn multiple independent copies on demand during gameplay. Custom 'My Blocks' allow developers to group repetitive scripts into clean, reusable custom blocks with parameters.
Try it yourself
Build a Particle / Obstacle Spawner
🚀 Open a practice space
Or try locally: 🍓 Raspberry Pi Projects
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Understands that cloning duplicates sprites dynamically during execution.
Developing
Uses 'create clone of myself' and 'when I start as a clone' blocks.
Secure (Goal)
Defines a custom 'My Block' procedure to modularize repetitive jump or particle physics code.
Mastery
Evaluates project performance and cleans up unused clones using 'delete this clone'.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Cloning & Custom Blocks includes:
- Core Deliverable: Build a Particle / Obstacle Spawner
- Target Quality: Defines a custom 'My Block' procedure to modularize repetitive jump or particle physics code.
- Excellence & Polish: Evaluates project performance and cleans up unused clones using 'delete this clone'.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Deconstruct
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Understands that cloning duplicates sprites dynamically during execution.
- Developing: Uses 'create clone of myself' and 'when I start as a clone' blocks.
- Secure: Defines a custom 'My Block' procedure to modularize repetitive jump or particle physics code.
- Mastering: Evaluates project performance and cleans up unused clones using 'delete this clone'.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: AP.03.B.1.1
Outcome: AP.03.B.1.1 — Optimize complex Scratch projects using sprite cloning and reusable custom 'My Blocks'.
PYP: Reflection · Cloning and procedural abstraction allow scalable game engines and modular code.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow