Programming Trading Cards

Scratch trading cards!  As the Programmers learn new Scratch skills and put them into practice, we will keep track of what they are learning to do.  They will get points based on how difficult the skill is.  The points will determine what "level" their card will be.  They will choose between four different "types" of programming types, the background image and sprite, and other information to show on the card.  I am basing the card layout loosely on the Pokemon trading cards.

Here are the 55 skills I started with:

• Change a sprite's direction by dragging it on the stage (5)
• Change a sprite's direction in a script (5)
• Choose a sprite (5)
• Create a script that switches between costumes (5)
• Edit a sprite (5)
• Open a program (5)
• Save a program (5)
• Save a program as a different name (5)
• Snap blocks together (5)
• Tell about your program in the project notes (5)
• Use 8 different blocks in your program (5)
• After changing to way a sprite looks, change it back to the original look in a script (10)
• Bring the sprite to the middle of the screen by shift-clicking on its thumbnail (10)
• Change a sprite's color in the program (10)
• Change a sprite's look (besides color) in the program (10)
• Change an option in a block (number or drop-down) (10)
• Change sprite's name (10)
• Change the background (10)
• Duplicate a script (10)
• Export a screenshot of the scripts area by right-clicking and selecting "Save Picture" (10)
• Import a sprite (10)
• Make a script that asks a question (10)
• Make a sprite say something (10)
• Repeat a script forever (10)
• Repeat a script the number of times you choose (10)
• Send a sprite to an exact spot on the stage (10)
• Troubleshoot a script using single-stepping (in the Edit menu) (10)
• Make a sprite respond when different keys are pressed (10)
• Use the Bounce command to turn a sprite when it touches the edge of the stage (10)
• Use the same control to run scripts for different sprites (10)
• Ask a question and save the answer (25)
• Change the way the pen looks (color, shade, or width) (25)
• Create a variable and use it (for example, to keep score) (25)
• Export a sprite for someone else to use (25)
• Hide a sprite (25)
• Make a sprite draw (25)
• Revise your program to make it easier to use or to run faster (25)
• Show a hidden sprite (25)
• Use a random number (25)
• Use a Sensing block (25)
• Use an "If" block (25)
• Use math (Operators) in a block (25)
• Use the "If/Else" block to make a choice (25)
• Use the "Repeat Until" block (25)
• Use the "Wait Until" block (25)
• Change a sprite's rotation style (50)
• Change an effect based on where you move your mouse (50)
• Change an option by using a variable (50)
• Make a variable to use in a script (50)
• Use the "And" Operator block (50)
• Use the "Broadcast" and "Receive" blocks to make one script cause another script to change or run (50)
• Use the Timer (50)
• Write a script for the stage (50)
• Make a list to use in a script (100)
• Use a slider (100)

Choose from these TYPES  

• Artist    
• Gamemaker    
• Storyteller    
• Teacher

To be at this LEVEL, you need this many POINTS
1   -     75
2   -   200
3   -   400
4   -   750
5   - 1000

Some of the background choices:

December 21 (Programmers)

 At our meeting this week, I proposed a new idea for Programmers - Scratch trading cards! Check the next blog post for more details.

I also showed the Programmers the Scratch cards developed by the Scratch team.  These are handy flashcards for trying new blocks.  There also are some short video tutorials on the website, too.  The best way to learn something new, though, is to just try it.  Here are some samples of what the Programmers worked on:

Hayden decided to make a game based on Lord of the Rings and is going to use a counter to keep track of how much power is left to his sprites.

I'm not sure what Asa's story will end up being, but after seeing his edits to the sprite, I'm already scared!

Elli put the Scratch cards to good use and started working her way through them one at a time.

Gordon also started a game.  He came up with a great script to make his sprite jump.

December 7 (Builders) Gears, Gears, Gears!

Gears are very useful for building powered contraptions with Legos but it takes some practice trying to get the teeth to sit correctly.  We started out with some simple gear trains and experimented from there.

Gordon's device used gears to turn a bucket that dropped "trash" into a dump-bed.

Josh made a crank-powered contraption (on a braced wall - go, Josh!) that turned a Lego monkey's tail.



 Here are a couple of good books and links for building with Lego gears:
LEGO Technic Idea Book: Simple Machines
Building Lego Robots for First Lego League (pdf)