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Session 8: Scratch Animation 🎬

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 8 of 17

Students use their Scratch skills to create a story animation with Catholic themes, building on skills from Session 5.

Session 8: Scratch Animation

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Create a multi-sprite animation

  • Use backdrops and scene changes

  • Program dialogue and movement sequences

  • Tell a faith-based story through code

Session 8: Scratch Animation

Materials Needed

  • 💻 Computers with Scratch

  • 📋 Story planning sheets

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 🖥️ Projector for examples

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Your Choice! — Students can animate the story of their favorite saint or Bible story.

Scripture

"Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them." — Matthew 28:19-20 (We share stories!)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the stories of faith that teach us about you. Help us use our programming skills to share your Good News through creative animation. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Story Power:
  2. "Stories help us remember and share what's important"
  3. Bible = stories of God's love
  4. Saint stories inspire us
  5. Animation = Moving Stories:
  6. Combine art, writing, and coding
  7. Share faith in a new way!
  8. Building on Skills:
  9. Remember Session 5? Now we go further!

Main Activity: Story Animation (27 minutes)

Part 1: Story Planning (5 minutes)

  • Choose a story:
  • A saint's story (Francis, Patrick, Kateri, etc.)
  • A Bible story (Good Samaritan, Creation, Nativity)

  • A parable (Prodigal Son, Lost Sheep)

  • Storyboard:

  • Beginning: Who? Where?
  • Middle: What happens?
  • End: What's the message?

Part 2: Build Your Animation (18 minutes)

Setup (3 min):

  • Choose backdrop(s)

  • Add sprites (characters)

  • Position for starting scene

Program Dialogue (5 min):

  • Use "say __ for __ seconds"

  • Create conversation between characters

  • Use "broadcast" to trigger responses

Program Action (5 min):

  • Add movement to tell story

  • Use "glide to" for smooth motion

  • Change costumes for action

Add Scenes (5 min if needed):

  • Use "switch backdrop to"

  • Broadcast to coordinate changes

  • Add transitions

Part 3: Premiere (4 minutes)

  • Share animations (volunteer or all screens visible)

  • Celebrate creativity!

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Describe your story (3-5 sentences)
  2. List 3 new Scratch skills you used
  3. Write: "My story teaches..."
  4. Sketch one scene from your animation

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Story Impact — "What story touched you?"
  2. Share the Story — "How could you share your animation?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for stories that teach us about you. Help us share your love in creative ways. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Created multi-sprite animation

  • Included beginning, middle, end

  • Used multiple Scratch features

  • Conveyed faith-based message

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Provided story template

  • Simpler story (2 characters, 1 scene)

  • Partner work

For Advanced Students

  • Multiple scenes and backdrops

  • Add sound effects and music

  • Create interactive elements

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Show your animation to family! Discuss the story and its message. Explore other Scratch projects for inspiration. Make an animation together about your family's favorite saint!

Teacher Notes

  • Allow students to finish projects later if needed

  • Consider class Scratch studio for sharing

  • Animations can be shown at school events

  • Save project links for portfolio

Previous: Session 7 — Light & Circuits
Next: Session 9 — Catholic Scientists