Scratch is a free, block-based programming environment created by MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten Lab to produce media and teach programming concepts. Using drag-and-drop techniques to join together block icons representing code, students create games, stories, and simulations in which programmable objects called "sprites" move and interact.  Scratch's graphic, block-based environment provides an excellent platform for introducing computer science concepts such as objects, methods, and conditional statements.

Students at Cardinal Forest receive a basic introduction to computer science through Scratch. Learning computer science in this manner teaches students logical and higher-order thinking skills. A visual programming language encourages kinesthetic thought in a program application where students can examine and edit their own creations. Computer science activities also provide an opportunity for students to integrate a variety of learning styles in an active, hands-on environment.

The students meet every Thursday in the Computer Lab from 11 AM until 2 PM. All Scratch sessions at Cardinal Forest are aligned with the appropriate Math, Science, Language Arts, and Computer Technology SOLs by respective grade levels. The FCPS Program of Studies is also utilized to stress other areas not addressed by the SOLs. There are approximately ninety (90) students participating in this programming initiative. The students are in K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grades. Fred Allard is conducting teacher research on the effectiveness of grade-level, age-approriate Computer Science instruction (with Scratch) at the elementary grade level. The results of this study will be presented at several professional conferences in May 2008. In June 2008, we're planning a special lab presentation at the JOSTI Conference (Jefferson Overseas Schools Technology Institute) to be held at TJHSST. For more information on Scratch curriculum, assessment processes, and learning models, please contact Fred Allard via email (frederic.allard@fcps.edu) or at (703) 923-5238. Randy Latimer is the Computer Science guru from TJHSST and is available for comments/questions about this unique program (randy.latimer@fcps.edu).

At Cardinal Forest, we are mentoring Greg Gates from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, as he works with the students in his role as student-teacher and role model. He is completing his senior research project, which he hopes to answer the question of whether elementary students can learn to program. He has created a website to chronicle his journey of learning which is listed in the Resources section below. The scope and depth of this program is due in part to Greg's initial questions about what is practical and possible with elementary students. We are very thankful for the support of the twenty-six classroom teachers at Cardinal Forest that have supported this project from Day One.

2008-2009: Year Two

As Scratch progresses toward a second year, several changes will be evaluated to include: instructional strategies, mind mapping, time management, and problem-solving recursion. While we have started to explore programming recursion with the last project of the school year, we are merely exploring how elementary students think when exposed to recursion methods. Recursion differs from traditional problem-solving methods (breaking into smaller steps). This method allows students to break down the original problem and to create a new one instead. We will explore connections to classroom curriculum in terms of vocabulary development and how students apply abstract concepts within the context of their realms. Next year, we'll also explore multi-age group projects that focus upon collaboration skills. Crystal Noel and Jennifer Gorman will be the senior technology research interns from TJ next year. We are very excited about the energy and enthusiam they will bring into this program.

Final Project:

May 1-29, 2008: Greg's Football Game [variables, broadcasting, looping, iteration]. Students will be expected to create the initial sprites (kitty, football, and goal post) and the initial sequences of code to allow the football to travel through the goal post and increase the score by 3 points. A project rubric will be introduced to guide students in completing reasonable goals within the project timeline [4 sessions]. Students will stick to the rubric and not embellish the code until all objectives are met (and rated with a score of 1). For this project, our interest rests in the methodology and mediums applied in project creation. It is possible to have many different code interpretations of how kitty kicks a football! Final projects were showcased on June 5th in the Computer Lab. Students shared different strategies to create the following:[on-screen] variables; sprite broadcasting; and iteration/looping sequences. Certificates of completion were awarded to all participants.

Scratch Instructional & Support Staff

Mr. Fred Allard (SBTS) sponsors this weekly program along with Mr. Randy Latimer. Mr. Latimer is a Computer Science teacher from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. If you would like to volunteer time on Thursdays, please drop by- no reservations are needed.

Resources

Creating with Scratch | Programming with Scratch | Learning with Scratch | Coordinate Graph Paper

JOSTI 2008 Conference Program (see page 30)

Mr. Latimer's Scratch Website

Greg Gates Scratch Project Website

Sprites, Scripts, Stages: http://scratch.mit.edu/

the Script is the code | the Sprites are the characters | the Stage is the backgound

Updated: July 13, 2008