Programming 1: Scratch: Pixels and positions
Exploring Scratch programming, focusing on pixels, coordinates, degrees, nested loops and debugging logic errors.
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Programming 1: Scratch: Pixels and positions
Please note
Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation, in collaboration with the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu.
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Explain that digital visuals are measured in pixels and that computers use x and y coordinates to describe position.
- Use coordinates in Scratch to place and move sprites accurately.
- Understand that rotations and turns are described in degrees and use this to control movement and create repeating patterns.
- Design and code a game that uses pixels, coordinates and degrees to control movement.
- Use nested loops to make code more efficient and recognise when loops need an end to avoid errors.
- Experiment with and adapt code during testing to improve and enhance a game.
- Systematically test, identify and fix bugs in programs, explaining what they changed and why.
- Evaluate their finished Scratch project and describe how it meets its purpose.
Suggested prior learning
Programming 2: BBC micro:bit
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Pixel power
Lesson 2: Target coordinates
Lesson 3: Rotate and repeat
Lesson 4: Programming a game
Lesson 5: Showcase and evaluate
Key skills
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Computing Y6: Pixels and positions
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit 'Pixels and positions'.
Vocabulary display – Computing Y6: Programming: Scratch: Pixels and positions
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Pixels and positions'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Spoken language.
Mathematics: Geometry – position and direction; Number – number and place value.
Geography: Human and physical geography.
British values: Mutual respect.