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Scratchjr Maths

ScratchJr hide and show maths mission

A practical mini-mission using hide and show to practise subtraction through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

You can use the hide and show feature in ScratchJr to create fun subtraction maths missions where objects disappear to help you practice taking away numbers.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use the hide and show commands in ScratchJr to create a subtraction game that helps you practice taking away objects and counting how many are left. Success signs:
  • You can create a ScratchJr project that shows and hides objects
  • You can use subtraction to work out how many objects are left after some are hidden
  • You can make a subtraction story with your ScratchJr project
  • You can solve subtraction problems by watching objects appear and disappear

Why this matters

Subtraction is one of the most useful maths skills you can learn. It helps you understand how many things you have left when some are taken away. In real life, you use subtraction when you eat 3 cookies from a jar of 10, or when you give 2 toys to a friend. Using ScratchJr to make a hide and show game makes subtraction fun and helps you understand it better. It also teaches you how to make computer programs that can show and hide things, which is a helpful skill for all kinds of digital projects.

How it works

In ScratchJr, you can make a character or object appear and disappear using the hide and show commands. You can use this to create subtraction games where you start with a number of objects, and then some disappear. You can then count how many are left. Here's how it works:
  1. Start with a group of objects (like 5 apples)
  2. Use the "hide" command to make some of them disappear
  3. Count how many are left
  4. Practice subtraction by saying: 5 - 2 = 3

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are making a ScratchJr project about a farm. You start with 6 chickens on the screen. Then, 3 chickens hide behind a barn. How many chickens are still visible? You can do this in ScratchJr by:
  • Setting up 6 chicken characters
  • Using the "hide" command to make 3 of them disappear
  • Counting how many are still visible (3)
  • Writing the subtraction sentence: 6 - 3 = 3
Here's another example: You have 8 toy cars on a table. You hide 5 under a blanket. How many cars are still visible?
  • Start with 8 cars
  • Hide 5 cars
  • Count the remaining cars (3)
  • Write the subtraction sentence: 8 - 5 = 3

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a maths treasure hunt adventure! You are a space explorer looking for treasure on a distant planet. You start with 10 shiny gems. Then, you find a cave where some gems disappear into the darkness. Your mission is to figure out how many gems are left.
  1. Start with 10 gems on screen
  2. Use the "hide" command to make 4 gems disappear
  3. Count how many gems are still visible
  4. Write the subtraction sentence: 10 - 4 = 6
  5. Try again with 7 gems, hiding 3: 7 - 3 = 4
  6. Try again with 9 gems, hiding 6: 9 - 6 = 3
This is your ScratchJr Hide and Show Mission:
  • Open ScratchJr
  • Create a new project
  • Add 10 space gems
  • Hide some gems
  • Count how many are left
  • Write your subtraction sentence

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to count how many are left after hiding objects
    Why it happens: Kids are excited about the hiding and showing, so they forget to count
    Fix: After hiding some objects, pause and count the visible ones before writing the subtraction sentence
  • Mistake: Writing the wrong subtraction sentence
    Why it happens: Kids might write 4 - 3 = 1 instead of 10 - 4 = 6
    Fix: Always start with the total number, then subtract the number that disappeared
  • Mistake: Not using the hide and show commands properly
    Why it happens: Confusion between showing and hiding
    Fix: Practice using "show" and "hide" with simple objects like stars or flowers

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children with this mission by:
  • Starting with simple numbers like 5 or 10 objects
  • Using real objects like toys or food to practice before using ScratchJr
  • Encouraging children to say the subtraction sentence out loud
  • Playing the mission together, taking turns to hide and count
  • Helping children write their subtraction sentences correctly
If your child gets stuck, you can:
  • Ask: "How many did you start with?"
  • Ask: "How many went away?"
  • Ask: "How many are left?"
  • Use physical objects to demonstrate the problem
Remember, this is a fun learning adventure, so don't worry if your child makes mistakes. They are part of the learning process!

Practice questions

  1. Start with 7 stars. Hide 2. How many are left?
  2. Start with 9 birds. Hide 4. How many are left?
  3. Start with 6 apples. Hide 3. How many are left?
  4. Start with 10 flowers. Hide 5. How many are left?
  5. Start with 8 blocks. Hide 6. How many are left?
Answers:
  1. 7 - 2 = 5
  2. 9 - 4 = 5
  3. 6 - 3 = 3
  4. 10 - 5 = 5
  5. 8 - 6 = 2

FAQ

What is the hide and show feature in ScratchJr?

The hide and show feature lets you make objects appear and disappear on the screen. You can use it to create fun subtraction games where some objects disappear and you have to count how many are left.

How do I use hide and show in ScratchJr?

First, add an object to your project. Then, in the scripting area, choose the "hide" or "show" command. You can add this command to a button or make it happen automatically when the project starts.

Can I use this for other maths concepts?

Yes! You can use hide and show for addition by starting with some objects, hiding some, and then showing more to see how many you have total. You can also use it for counting, patterns, and even division by hiding groups.

How can I make my mission more challenging?

Try using larger numbers, hiding more objects at once, or making your own story for the mission. You can also add sounds or animations to make it more exciting.

What if my child doesn't like using ScratchJr?

That's okay! You can do the same activity with real objects at home. Use toys, food, or anything you have around. The key is to make it fun and practical.