Howardism: Tutorials

Tutorials

Having fun with Scratch? I've been running a computer club at my daughter's elementary school, and I've decided to write some lessons explaining how to do some fun projects.

Each lesson covers a specific aspect of Scratch, however, the lesson has a fun project and includes all of the artwork so that you can get started quickly.

I'm always looking for lesson ideas and feedback.

What is Scratch Good For?
What is Scratch good for? Let me give you a few ideas of things you can make with Scratch.

Downloading and Installing Scratch
The first step is to get Scratch installed and running on your computer.

Introducing Scratch
An easy overview of the Scratch interface. My second lesson from my current book project.

Getting Started with a First Project
Now that you've installed and looked at Scratch, it is time to actually make a project. The 3rd lesson from my new book.

Making Music
lesson on playing melodies and drum rhythms.

Moving Sprites Around
Three techniques on getting sprites to moving around on the stage.

Interacting and Sensing Sprites
Teaching sprites to sense and respond to other sprites and their environment.

Passing Messages with Broadcasts
lesson on "Sending Messages" in my upcoming book on Scratch.

Building a Game
A step-by-step lesson for building a game from scratch.


	In the 1980s, many people talked about the transition from the "Industrial Society" to the "Information Society." In the 1990s, people began to talk about the "Knowledge Society." But I prefer a different conception: the "Creative Society." Success in the future (for individuals, for communities, for companies, for nations as a whole) will be based not on what we know or how much we know, but on our ability to think and act creatively. –Mitch Resnick, author of Scratch	These games not only nourish the inner activity drive, but they also teach the use of the child's immediate environment as a means for play and occupation and as educational aids. –Friedrich Froebel Tutorials Having fun with Scratch? I've been running a computer club at my daughter's elementary school, and I've decided to write some lessons explaining how to do some fun projects. Each lesson covers a specific aspect of Scratch, however, the lesson has a fun project and includes all of the artwork so that you can get started quickly. I'm always looking for lesson ideas and feedback. What is Scratch Good For? What is Scratch good for? Let me give you a few ideas of things you can make with Scratch. Downloading and Installing Scratch The first step is to get Scratch installed and running on your computer. Introducing Scratch An easy overview of the Scratch interface. My second lesson from my current book project. Getting Started with a First Project Now that you've installed and looked at Scratch, it is time to actually make a project. The 3rd lesson from my new book. Making Music lesson on playing melodies and drum rhythms. Moving Sprites Around Three techniques on getting sprites to moving around on the stage. Interacting and Sensing Sprites Teaching sprites to sense and respond to other sprites and their environment. Passing Messages with Broadcasts lesson on "Sending Messages" in my upcoming book on Scratch. Building a Game A step-by-step lesson for building a game from scratch.
	2010, Howard Abrams Some rights reserved	Originally written on 26 November 2008. Updated on 9 July 2009.