Programming: Scratch

Learning to use loops to program an animation, a story and a game in Scratch.

Free trial
  1. Subjects >
  2. Computing >
  3. Lower key stage 2 >
  4. Year 3 >
  5. Programming: Scratch

Please note

Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation in collaboration with the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu.

Unit outcomes

Pupils who are secure will be able to:

  • Explain what some of the blocks do in Scratch.
  • Explain what a loop is and include one in their program.
  • Suggest possible additions to an existing program by remixing code.
  • Recognise where something on screen is controlled by code.
  • Use a systematic approach to find bugs.
  • Understand the definitions of decomposition and algorithm and how they are used to create accurate code.

Suggested prior learning

Option 2: ScratchJr

Get started

Teacher video: Introduction to Scratch

A guide for getting started and first steps in Scratch - a block coding platform designed to simplify how to learn to code.

Pupil video: Scratchy rap

Use our rap to help children remember key coding terms and concepts.

Teacher coding skills videos

A comprehensive range of coding skills videos which explain and demonstrate key coding concepts. These videos are designed to both guide and support teachers who find the programming component of the computing curriculum challenging, whilst also acting as a refresher for those more confident in their subject knowledge.
What is coding?
Coding blocks
Algorithms
Repetition and loops
Variables
Debugging
Computational thinking
Computing vocabulary
Log in Sign up

Lesson plans

Lesson 1: Tinkering with Scratch

  • To explore a programming application.
View lesson

Lesson 2: Using loops

  • To use repetition (a loop) in a program.
View lesson

Lesson 3: Making an animation

  • To program an animation.
View lesson

Lesson 4: Storytelling

  • To program a story.
View lesson

Lesson 5: Programming a game

  • To program a game.
View lesson

Key skills

  • Using decomposition
Lock

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Key knowledge

To know:

  • Lock

    This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

    Join Log in

Key vocabulary

algorithm

animation

Lock

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Related content

    Resources

Unit resources

Padlock
Computing

Knowledge Organiser: Computing – Y3 Programming with Scratch

Aimed at pupils, a single page which gives key facts and definitions from the unit.

View
Padlock
Kapow
Other

Computing – Teacher coding skills videos

A comprehensive range of coding skills videos which explain and demonstrate key coding concepts.

View
Padlock
Computing

Vocabulary display: Programming – Scratch

A display version of the key vocabulary from the Y3 Programming Scratch unit.

Download

Subject resources

Lock

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Cross-curricular opportunities

English: Spoken language, Writing – composition

Music

Suggested next steps

*New* Programming 1: Further coding with Scratch

Building on their knowledge from previous Scratch lesson plans, pupils deepen their understanding of loops, algorithms, and debugging techniques, enabling them to create animations, stories, and games. There are alternative options available for this unit.

Get started

Popular content

Other subjects

For copyright reasons, you may not screenshot this page.
Press esc to exit