Scratch Cookbook

If want to get your programming know-how off the starting blocks in a fun, involving way, then this guide to Scratch is perfect. In no time you'll be building your own interactive programs that include animations and sound.

Overview

• Get started using Scratch, or take your programs to a new level using simple, easy-to-read recipes
• Learn techniques for animating stories
• Create fun and engaging games

In Detail

Scratch 2.0 is an easy to use programming language that allows you to animate stories and create interactive games. Scratch also gives you the capability of using programming to calculate complicated calculations for you.

Scratch Cookbook will lead you through easy-to-follow recipes that give you everything you need to become a more advanced programmer.

Scratch Cookbook will take you through the essential features of Scratch. You’ll then work through simple recipes to gain an understanding of the more advanced features of Scratch.

You will learn how to create animations using Scratch. Sensory board integration (getting input from the outside environment) will also be covered, along with using Scratch to solve complicated and tedious calculations for you. You’ll also learn how to work through the exciting process of project remixing where you build on the work of others.

Scratch Cookbook will give you everything you need to get started with building your own programs in Scratch that involve sounds, animations, and user interaction.

What you will learn from this book

• Navigate smoothly through the Scratch interface
• Animate a story or visual
• Build a basic one player game
• Learn about adding graphic effects and working with variables
• Develop multi-level games and integrate sensor (Pico) boards
• Perform advanced calculations

Approach

A practical approach with hands-on recipes to learn more about Scratch and its features.

Who this book is written for

Scratch Cookbook is great for people who are still relatively new to programming but wish to learn more. It assumes you know the basics of computer operation. The methods of using Scratch are worked through quickly with a focus on more advanced topics, though readers can move at their own pace to learn all the techniques they need.

Brandon Milonovich

Brandon Milonovich completed his Master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum with emphasis in Mathematics Education in December 2012 at Syracuse University in central New York. Prior to attending Syracuse, Brandon earned his Bachelor's degree in Adolescent Mathematics Education at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Brandon grew up in upstate New York with an interest in mathematics and computer science at a young age. Brandon has experience of teaching mathematical concepts to students using Scratch in third through fifth grade, as well as experience of teaching mathematics at the middle school, high school, and university level.

It was during Brandon's time at Saint Rose that he began his work with Scratch through an internship program with Computer Science professor Helen Albanese. In coordination with three Albany City School District teachers, Brandon developed an after-school program centered on programming in Scratch for at-risk youth. The program expanded the following year to include a broader age range of students. Now, Brandon works towards making learning Scratch more accessible within the classroom itself, both with traditional methods and flipped classroom-blended learning style concepts, to build the mathematical foundation students need to be successful 21st century learners. Brandon believes in sharing of information as broadly as possible, and so has presented with his colleagues at numerous conferences and workshops on Scratch, and hopes to continue to do so.

For more information on Brandon, or to contact him, visit http://www.bmilo.com.