Scratch: Coordinates characters, stage and pen drawing

Scratch is great programming software for kids. The article will introduce x & y coordinates, how to draw and create in Scratch.

• Scratch
• Scratch for Mac
• Scratch Online
• ScratchJr for iOS
• ScratchJr for Android

Students will benefit from understanding how to pair up in order when completing activities on Scratch ,. This is a mathematical concept that is usually taught at higher levels. However, this knowledge is very useful for young programmers. It can be used to place a sprite on a stage by selecting x and y values. When debugging, it also helps you know why the position or movement is wrong.

Coordinates X and Y

When placing a character on stage, the Sprite table shows the x and y coordinates. They tell you where Sprite is on that stage. If you drag this sprite, the value of x & y also changes because their position is now different.

Many Scratch blocks of code list x and y values. These blocks of code can be used to tell the character where to go on this stage.

Stage - The stage in Scratch

You can't see it but Scratch 's stage is divided into 4 parts using two axes.

• The x-axis goes from left to right. It indicates the position of the character on the stage horizontally.
• The y-axis goes from top to bottom. It indicates the position of the character on the stage vertically.
• Center stage is where the two axes intersect.

The meaning of the values ​​X and Y

The dots form each part on the stage. Each dot has an x ​​& y value corresponding to its position.

• The value of x indicates the number of steps to move right or left from the center point. If it's a positive number, scroll right. If it is negative, go left.
• The value y indicates the number of steps going up or down from the center point. If it is positive, go up. If it is a negative number, move down.

Take a look at the picture below. Where is the red dot on the stage? Looking at the x and y axes, you will see that it has x: 150, y: 100 coordinates.

Character positions on stage

The x-axis starts at -240 and ends at 240.

The y-axis starts at -180 and ends at 180.

By setting the x and y values ​​for a block, you can place the character at a certain point on the stage. For example:

Kids Scratch activity - Use the pen to learn about x and y

Drawing in Scratch is like solving dotted puzzles. To do this, create a script that puts the pen down at the first dot position. Then move the pen to the next dot. Don't be afraid to try!

Look at the picture below. How many x & y coordinates do you see each dot?

How to draw squares in Scratch

1. Start a new Scratch project. Name it Square .
2. Select a sprite to use as a drawing tool .
3. Small size adjustment for sprite .
4. Delete Sprite 1 .
5. Click Add Extension > Select Pen .
6. Develop a scenario:

The script in this example is as follows: Start when clicking Go . Move to the first dot. Put the pen down to draw. Draw from dot to dot. You should see the square within 3 seconds. Delete that square.

Draw sketches on Scratch

As mentioned above, drawing in Scratch is like deciphering a dotted puzzle. Each dot is numbered. The line connects the dots and forms a picture.

Use your skills to create art. Choose suggestions or freely compose according to your own ideas.

• triangle
• Rectangle
• House
• Letter (T or E)
• Zigzag line

You can download the Scratch Stage Worksheet here: https://www.technokids.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/StageWorksheet.pdf.

Hope the article is helpful to you!