Getting Started

Writing code in Scratch is fun. But to start writing, we have some prerequisites. We must have access to Scratch and an account to sign in.

How to access Scratch?

To access scratch there are two ways.

1. Recommended one is web-based scratch which you can access through this URL https://scratch.mit.edu/

2. If you want to use offline scratch -

Step 1: Go to the https://scratch.mit.edu/download web link in your browser example Chrome

Step 2: Scroll down

Step 3: Choose your OS. My one is windows, so I chose windows.

Step 4: Click on “Direct down” download

Step 5: You can find “Scratch 3.x setup.exe” in the left bottom corner

Step 6: Click on the up arrow and click on “show in folder”

Step 7: Find the “Scratch 3.x setup.exe” in the downloads folder and double click on it.

Step 8: Select “all users” and click on “Install”

Step 9: Your system will ask Do you want to allow this, click “Yes” and let it install and finally click on “Finish”

10. Scratch screen will open

11. You will see the scratch icon on the desktop screen, you can double click and open

How to create Scratch account?

Step 1: Go to scratch web https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “Join Scratch”

Step 3: Create username (Don’t give real name) and password and click “Next”. Don’t forget this username and password. You need these to login back.

Step 4: Answer the questions it asks

Step 5: Give your email and click on “Create Your Account”.

How to login to and logout from Scratch?

To Login:

Step 1: Go to scratch web https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “Sign in”

Step 3: Give username and password and click on “Sign in”

Step 4: you will be login and get the Scratch home screen as below

To Logout:

Step 1: After login to Scratch, click on down arrow next to the username on right top corner

Step 2: Click on “Sign out”

How to know about Scratch?

To know about Scratch

Step 1: Go to scratch web https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “About”

Step 3: You will get below screen where you can learn about Scratch

How to get Ideas in Scratch?

Step 1: Go to scratch web https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “Ideas”

Step 3: You will get the screen below.

Step 4: You can select an activity guide or download coding cards or Explore starter projects or go to frequently asked questions

How to explore projects and studios?

Step 1: Go to scratch web https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “Explore”

Step 3: You will get the below screen, which has projects and studios.

Step 4: Select one project you are interested. You will get below screen with the selected project

Step 5: Read the instructions and play the project

Step 6: Click on “See inside” to check the code they developed

Step 6: If you sign in to Scratch you will get one more option in this screen is “Remix”

How to collaborate in Scratch? Scratch community guidelines

Scratch has its own community and kids can improve their collaboration skills.

Step 1: Go to https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Click on “Explore”

Step 3: Select one project and gives star or show your love

Step 4: Give comments

When you communicate, you should follow the Scratch community guidelines to help keep the site friendly

Step 1: Go to https://scratch.mit.edu/community_guidelines

Step 2: Read the guidelines

How to start with new project?

Step 1: Go to https://scratch.mit.edu/

Step 2: Sign in

Step 3: Click on “Create”

Step 4: Start writing code

What are the three major areas in Create screen (Scratch Editor)?

Block pallet, Coding area and Stage area

How to open an existing project?

There are two ways to open

1. If you want to open from Scratch site –

Step 1: Go to My stuff

Step 2: if you want to play the project in full screen click on the project (see project page)

Step 3: If you want to open the code and work on it, click on “See inside”.

2. If you want to open from your own device –

Precondition - You should already saved the project to your local machine

Step 1: Click on “File”

Step 2: Click on “Load from your computer”

Step 3: Select the folder you have the projects

Step 4: Select the project and click on “Open”

How to save a project?

There are two ways to save

1. If you want to save to the scratch site

Step 1: System will automatically save with the name untitled

Step 2: If you want to give a name and save. Type the name in the name box

Step 3: Click on “File”

Step 4: Click on “Save now”

2. If you want to save to your own device

Step 1: Click on “File”

Step 2: Click on “Save to your computer”

Step 3: Your project will be downloaded to your downloads folder

Step 4: you can copy and paste to the folder you wanted the project to be

How to delete a project?

Step 1: Go to “My Stuff”

Step 2: Click on the “Delete” next to the project you wanted to delete

How to change Language?

By default, Scratch has language “English”. But you can change the language

Step 1: Go to the globe icon and click on the down arrow.

Step 2: Select the language you want

Step 3: Once you select the language screen will change to that language.

How to go to home screen from create screen?

Click on the Scratch icon

How to switch between “See Project Page” and “See Inside”?

From “Create” screen to “See Project Page” click on the “See Project Page”

From “See Project Page” screen to “Create” screen. Click on the “See inside”

1. Explore other projects in the explore screen and select one project you like. Write positive comments (Good part of the project) and post to that project? Write the same comments below as well.

2. For the same above project find what can be improved write and post it? Write the same comments below as well.

3. If I ask you to remix this project, imagine and write what you will add to make it more interactive?

4. Go to “Ideas” screen and select one of the activity guides and go through. Write below what did you learn?