Scratch for Kids for Dummies

by Breen, Derek

• ISBN13: 9781119014874
• ISBN10: 1119014875
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-05-04
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Scratch is a fast, fun, and easy way to get started in computer science

Do you want to make cool games, impressive animations, and become an all-around Scratch super star? You've come to the right place! Packed with full-color photos and easy-to-follow instructions, Scratch For Kids For Dummies makes it easy to get started—even if you've never attempted computer programming or coding. Inside, you'll find out how to design and develop your own games, create amazing animations, interact with the online Scratch community, and much more!

There's no doubting that Scratch is fun, but it also helps you learn to think creatively, reason symmetrically, and work collaboratively—essential skills for life in the 21^st century. Best of all, the software is completely free and runs right in your web browser! With the help of this down-to-earth and friendly guide, you'll quickly discover how to choose from a library of characters, backgrounds, and props, draw your own options, and open another user's project, modify it, and publish it online—all with the click of a button.

• Create games, stories, and animations
• Learn programming
• Share your projects with the Scratch community
• Participate in the Scratch forums

If you're looking to make the most of MIT's Scratch software but don't quite know where to start, everything you need to try your hand at this popular multimedia programming tool is right here. So what are you waiting for?

Author Biography

Derek Breen is a former designer for the Education Arcade at MIT and teaching fellow in the Digital Media Arts and Instructional Design program at Harvard Extension School. He currently develops game design curriculum and learning materials for i2 Camp and provides teacher training in digital design, animation, and game development for K-12 teachers throughout the country.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1: Become a Scratch Designer 9

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Scratch 11

Chapter 2: Create Your Own Comics 35

Chapter 3: Design Scratch Animals 60

Chapter 4: Build Vector Robots 79

Chapter 5: Digital Collages 99

Part 2: Become a Scratch Animator 127

Chapter 6: Animation Essentials 129

Chapter 7: Animate Great Characters 152

Chapter 8: Location, Location, Location 176

Chapter 9: Sounds Good to Me 197

Chapter 10: Lights, Camera, ACTION! 217

Part 3: Become a Scratch Game Developer 241

Chapter 11: Design a Classic Videogame 243

Chapter 12: Super Snake 266

Chapter 13: A]Maze]ing Game 289

Chapter 14: Attacking the Clones 319

Chapter 15: Game Not Over! 354

Index 362