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Coding And Maths

ScratchJr maths: shape hunts

Use ScratchJr-style projects for ages 5 to 7 to make a scene full of circles, squares, triangles and rectangles.

Quick answer

You can use ScratchJr to create a fun shape hunt game where you draw and place different shapes like circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles in a scene. This helps you learn about shapes while coding!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to create a simple ScratchJr project that shows different shapes in a scene and can tell a story or play a game using these shapes. Success signs:
  • You can draw and place at least 4 different shapes in your scene
  • You can make your shapes move or change colour
  • You can use shapes to tell a story or play a game
  • You understand how shapes are used in coding and art

Why this matters

Learning about shapes in ScratchJr helps you understand how to build stories and games. You use shapes to create characters, buildings, and scenes. It's like building with blocks, but on a computer. This is a great way to learn how to code while having fun. When you know how to use shapes in coding, you can make your own games, animations, and art projects. This is the beginning of learning how to code in a way that's creative and fun.

How it works

In ScratchJr, you can make shapes appear on the screen. You can:
  1. Choose a shape tool
  2. Draw your shape
  3. Move it around the screen
  4. Make it change colour or size
  5. Use it to tell a story or play a game
You can also make your shapes do things like bounce, spin, or follow your finger. This helps you learn how to make things move and change in your projects.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are making a story about a shape adventure. You could start with a big circle for the sun. Then you could draw a square for a house, a triangle for a roof, and a rectangle for a door. You can make them all move around the screen to create a fun scene. Here's how you can make a simple shape scene:
  • Open ScratchJr
  • Click on the "Draw" button
  • Choose a shape tool
  • Draw your shape
  • Click "OK" to place it
  • Try moving it around the screen
You can make a whole forest with many trees (triangles), houses (squares), and suns (circles). Each shape can be a different size or colour to make your scene more interesting.

Try it as a mini adventure

Shape Hunt Adventure You are a shape detective on a mission to find all the shapes in your room! Here's your quest: 1st time: Find a circle in your room (like a plate or a ball) 2nd time: Find a square (like a book or a tile) 3rd time: Find a triangle (like a slice of pizza or a roof) 4th time: Find a rectangle (like a door or a window) 5th time: Draw each shape in ScratchJr and place it in your scene 6th time: Make one shape move around the screen 7th time: Create a short story using your shapes This adventure helps you learn how shapes work in real life and in coding.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to click "OK" after drawing a shape
    Why it happens: Kids are excited and might not notice the button
    Fix: Always look for the "OK" button after drawing
  • Mistake: Drawing shapes too small to see
    Why it happens: Kids don't know how to make shapes big enough
    Fix: Try making shapes bigger by clicking and dragging more
  • Mistake: Using the wrong shape tool
    Why it happens: Confusion between circle, square, triangle, and rectangle tools
    Fix: Look at the shape icons and try them one by one
  • Mistake: Not saving your project
    Why it happens: Kids get excited and forget to save
    Fix: Remember to click "Save" often

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn by:
  • Playing with ScratchJr together
  • Encouraging them to try different shapes
  • Letting them tell a story with their shapes
  • Helping them save their work
  • Showing them how to move shapes around
Ask questions like:
  • What shapes did you find in your room?
  • How did you make your shapes move?
  • Can you make a story with your shapes?
Don't worry if they make mistakes – that's how they learn. Be patient and keep the fun going!

Practice questions

  1. What shape is a pizza slice?
  2. What shape is a door?
  3. What shape is a stop sign?
  4. What shape is a ball?
  5. What shape is a book?
Answers:
  1. Triangle
  2. Rectangle
  3. Octagon (but for this age group, we can say it's a special shape with 8 sides)
  4. Circle
  5. Rectangle

FAQ

What is ScratchJr?

ScratchJr is a free app that helps children aged 5-7 create their own stories and games using simple coding commands.

Can I use ScratchJr on my phone?

Yes, ScratchJr is available on tablets and phones. It works on both iOS and Android devices.

How do I make my shapes move?

You can make shapes move by using the "move" command. Click on the shape, then click on the move arrow and drag it to a new place.

Can I make more than one shape?

Yes, you can make as many shapes as you want. Each shape can be different and do different things.

What if I don't like my shapes?

You can always erase or change your shapes. ScratchJr lets you try again and again until you're happy.