ScratchJr character sizes maths mission

Quick answer

You can use ScratchJr character sizes to learn about comparing big and small, tall and short, wide and narrow through fun coding missions.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare character sizes in ScratchJr and explain which characters are bigger, smaller, taller, or shorter using simple words and pictures.

• I can tell which ScratchJr character is the biggest or smallest
• I can match characters by their size
• I can describe how characters look using size words
• I can solve simple size comparison puzzles in ScratchJr

Why this matters

Learning about sizes helps you understand how things fit together, how to share resources, and how to build and design better. In games like ScratchJr, comparing sizes helps you make characters look more realistic and interesting. You use this skill every day when you compare your height to a door frame, or when you stack blocks from biggest to smallest.

How it works

When you create characters in ScratchJr, you can make them different sizes. Here’s how to compare them:

1. Look at your character's height and width
2. Compare two characters side by side
3. Decide which one is bigger or smaller
4. Use words like 'tall', 'short', 'big', 'small', 'wide', and 'narrow' to describe them

ScratchJr gives you tools to change how big or small your characters are, so you can make them look just right for your story.

Examples you can see

Imagine you are making a story about a family of animals. You might have:

• A big elephant
• A small mouse
• A medium-sized cat

When you put them side by side, you can see that:

• The elephant is biggest
• The mouse is smallest
• The cat is medium

You can also compare:

• How tall the characters are
• How wide they are
• How much space they take up on the screen

In ScratchJr, you can make your elephant 200% big and your mouse 50% small to show the difference clearly.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a Size Detective Mission in ScratchJr!

1. Open ScratchJr and choose a character
2. Make your character 100% size
3. Choose a second character and make it 150% size
4. Compare them and say which is bigger
5. Now try to make a third character 50% size
6. Put all three characters side by side and describe their sizes

Challenge: Can you arrange 5 characters from smallest to biggest?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that a character with a bigger number is always smaller
  Why it happens: Children often confuse numbers with size.
  Fix: Remember that in ScratchJr, a character at 200% is bigger than at 100%.
• Mistake: Saying "tall" when you mean "wide"
  Why it happens: Words for size can be mixed up.
  Fix: Use a ruler or your hands to measure height vs. width.
• Mistake: Not using the scale tool to change size
  Why it happens: It's easy to forget the tools.
  Fix: Always look for the scale or size button when making changes.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:

• Playing with them in ScratchJr and asking questions like "Which character is taller?"
• Using everyday objects to compare sizes, like toys, books, or cups
• Encouraging them to describe what they see with size words
• Helping them use the scale tool in ScratchJr to make characters bigger or smaller
• Practising with simple size comparisons at home

Remember, it's okay if they make mistakes. The key is to keep trying and learning together!

Practice questions

1. Which is bigger: 120% or 80%?
2. If a character is 100% and another is 150%, which is bigger?
3. Can you name three size words you can use to describe characters?
4. Which is smaller: a character at 50% or one at 75%?
5. What tool in ScratchJr changes character size?

Answers:

1. 120% is bigger
2. The one at 150% is bigger
3. Big, small, tall
4. The one at 50% is smaller
5. The scale or size tool

FAQ

What is the purpose of comparing character sizes in ScratchJr?

Comparing character sizes helps you make stories more realistic and interesting. It also teaches you about size, measurement, and comparison.

How do I change the size of a character in ScratchJr?

Click on your character, then look for the scale or size button. You can type in a percentage to make it bigger or smaller.

Can I compare more than two characters?

Yes! You can compare as many characters as you like. Try making a group of animals and ordering them from smallest to biggest.

What are some real-life examples of comparing sizes?

Examples include comparing your height to a door, sorting toys by size, or arranging books from smallest to biggest.

Why is it important to learn about sizes?

Learning about sizes helps you understand how things fit together, solve puzzles, and build better designs. It's useful in games, art, and everyday life.