ScratchJr to Hopscotch transition
Have you been using ScratchJr and are now looking to take your coding to the next level? Then Hopscotch will be a great fit for you!
Hopscotch is a free programming app for iPad and iPhone. Using only your finger, you can drag and drop easy-to-read code blocks to write programs. In Hopscotch, you’re only limited by your imagination in what you can create! Kids around the world have made over 35 million projects in Hopscotch, including interactive stories, art, games, puzzles, and more.
To use Hopscotch, download the app, and follow the in-app instructions to create an account. (Educators can also create classroom accounts here. Once your classroom accounts are set up, read more here on how to get started.)
Using the ScratchJr-Hopscotch Transition Guide, kids will quickly learn how to build on concepts they learned in ScratchJr to make even more amazing programs. In each lesson in the guide, kids make a complete coded project they can share with their class, friends, and family!
Similar to ScratchJr, Hopscotch lets kids add new characters to their projects and use the “When,” “Movement,” and “Looks & Sounds” blocks to make them move. In the first lesson, they will choose an animal and create a project that shows off what makes that animal special.
Once kids get the hang of the Hopscotch interface, you can proceed to the second lesson. Encourage kids to use the “When Game Starts”, “Set Size”, and “Wait” blocks to create projects where exposure to the sun, water, and animals helps plants grow.
In the third lesson, kids apply computational thinking skills to create an interactive game where a player leads a character across a busy street. This is a great way to introduce kids to loops and collision effects.
To complete the program, kids create their own Geometry Jumper game, where you can use more advanced abilities such as variables and conditionals.
We hope that you find the ScratchJr-Hopscotch Transition Guide helpful! If you’ll have any questions or need help, please contact us at classrooms@gethopscotch.com. You can also download all the lessons here.
