CONNECT
Animation is an art form that involves creating movement from a series of static images.
In animation, artists develop a sequence of images called frames. When these frames are played in rapid succession, they create the illusion of movement. This magic transforms drawings, models, or digital images into dynamic characters and vibrant scenes. Animation can be found in two main formats: 2D and 3D. In 2D animation, artists draw each frame by hand, while in 3D animation, digital models are manipulated on a computer. Both styles are used in films, TV shows, and other media to tell stories and captivate audiences of all ages.
CONTEMPLATE
DO YOU KNOW WHAT A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE IS?
A programming language is a structured and formal way of communication that defines a set of instructions and rules for creating computer programs.
Scratch is a platform that allows users to create a sequence of commands to instruct the computer on what to do. Developed by the MIT Media Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 2007, it stands out for its ease of use and accessibility, enabling people worldwide to start learning programming.
Learning programming through Scratch is easy, as it uses a graphical interface and blocks that are assembled like LEGO.
Watch the video and see some examples of projects:
WHAT CAN BE CREATED USING SCRATCH?
With Scratch, it is possible to create a variety of projects, such as interactive stories, games, animations, educational projects, and interactive applications.
The platform offers a wide range of creative possibilities for users to explore.
GETTING TO KNOW THE PROGRAM INTERFACE
The program interface is very intuitive and easy to use.
1 – Stage: This is the area where the entire graphical and animated part of the project can be viewed, and where tests will be performed.
2 – Scripts Area: This is where programming takes place. It contains the codes that will be developed and the blocks that will be dragged.
3 – Block Palette: All the blocks used will be in this area. They are color-coded, and within each color, the blocks have different shapes. Each color represents a function, and depending on the shape, the block either returns or reads a specific type of value.
In the Scripts Area, the blocks will be compiled, meaning they will be transformed into a program, which will then be displayed on the Stage.
4 – List of Sprites and Backgrounds: This is where we can insert and modify the images displayed on the stage. Sprites can include characters, animals, people, objects, food, letters, and numbers. Backgrounds, on the other hand, serve as backdrops and can be images of real locations or artistic backgrounds used to personalize the programming.
BUILD
TELLING A STORY
Visit the Scratch website at https://scratch.mit.edu/ and create a story between two characters. Follow the step-by-step instructions and, when finished, click the green flag to watch the animation. Be creative and learn to work with different Stages and Sprites.
GETTING TO KNOW SOME PROGRAM FEATURES
1. To rename sprites, click the field next to the text “Sprite.”
2. To adjust the position of sprites on the stage, enter the numbers in the x and y coordinate fields.
3. To make the sprite visible or invisible, click the icons in the “Show” item.
4. To change the size of the sprite, adjust the number in the “Size” field.
5. To change the direction of the sprite, adjust the number in the “Direction” field.
CREATING A STORY
1. Click on the Cat sprite and then on the trash icon to delete it.
2. Click on the area indicated by the green arrow to insert new characters (Sprites: Ruby and Wanda).
3. Click on the area indicated by the red arrow to insert the room background as a new Backdrop (Room 2). At this point, move the sprites to avoid overlapping with the furniture.
4. Select the Sprite (daughter character – Ruby), go to the code tab, click on “Events” and drag the block “when 
clicked” to the Scripts Area (purple arrow).
5. Then, click on “Looks“, drag the blocks “switch costume to…” and “say… for… seconds” to the Scripts Area as shown in the programming example above.
In the block “say… for… seconds”, write a phrase and change the duration inside the white box.
6. Select the other Sprite (mother character – Wanda). Click on the code tab, go to “Events“, and drag the block “when clicked”.
7. Click on “Control“, drag the block “wait 1 sec”, and change the number in the white box to 2 seconds.
8. In the “Looks” tab, drag the block “say… for… seconds” to the Scripts Area, write a phrase inside the white box, and change the duration accordingly.
9. To continue the dialogue, select the daughter character – Ruby, repeat steps 4 and 5, create a new phrase, and set a new duration.
10. To change the character’s pose, click on the Costumes tab (red arrow) and choose from the listed options. Repeat steps 4 and 5, and switch to the selected costume.
11. Click on the red arrow to insert a new backdrop, a new Stage (Bedroom 2). To switch the backdrop, click on the Backdrops tab (green arrow) and select from the available options.
12. Change the backdrop and adjust the position of the Sprite (daughter character – Ruby-b).
13. To continue the dialogue, drag the blocks: “when clicked”, “switch backdrop to…”, “wait… seconds”, “switch backdrop to…”, “switch costume to…”, “wait… seconds”, and “say… for… seconds”.
To continue the dialogue, write a new text inside the white box and adjust the number of seconds accordingly.
14. Continue the dialogue according to the programming steps above.
CONTINUE
Share the results of your creation with the class:
What is the main purpose of this activity?
How can we add a sprite?