Recommended by the Scratch Jr. app and website, this official companion guide serves as an excellent introduction for the youngest coders. If you’re not familiar with it, Scratch Jr. uses the same block-based coding as Scratch, but with a simpler, cleaner interface suitable for a younger audience This guide gradually introduces animations, stories, and games in an approachable, step-by-step format designed to build off previous concepts. Each chapter is divided into activities which introduce one new function. While most of the guide is very specific with specific instructions and screencaps of exactly what the student should be doing, chapters culminate in a creative endeavor with a little wiggle room for discovery and self-expression. Further cementing the topics are “Making Connections” sections which provide math and ELA tie-ins, as well as tips for grown-ups helping the student learn. 143 pgs, pb.
ScratchJr is a free, introductory computer programming language that runs on iPads, Android tablets, Amazon tablets, and Chromebooks. Inspired by Scratch, the wildly popular programming language used by millions of children worldwide, ScratchJr helps even younger kids create their own playful animations, interactive stories, and dynamic games.
The Official ScratchJr Book is the perfect companion to this free app and makes coding easy and fun for all. Kids learn to program by connecting blocks of code to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing.
Each chapter includes several activities that build on one another, culminating in a fun final project. These hands-on activities help kids develop computational-thinking, problem-solving, and design skills. In each activity, you’ll find:
By the end of the book, kids will be ready for all sorts of new programming adventures!
