ScratchJr route puzzles maths mission

Quick answer

You can use ScratchJr route puzzles to learn and practice directions, like "go forward 3 steps, turn right, go forward 2 steps", which helps you understand how to give and follow instructions in a fun way.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to give and follow simple directions using ScratchJr blocks, and you'll be able to create a route puzzle that others can solve.

• You can use words like "forward", "turn left", "turn right" to give directions
• You can follow a set of directions to reach a goal
• You can make a simple route puzzle with your own blocks
• You can solve a route puzzle made by someone else

Why this matters

Learning directions and how to give them is super useful! In real life, you use directions when you:

• Give your friend the way to your house
• Follow a recipe to cook something
• Walk to school and know which way to turn
• Play a board game and move your piece
• Use a map to find a place

In ScratchJr, you'll be learning how to make a computer understand your instructions. This is the start of how we write code – the language computers use to do things!

How it works

ScratchJr route puzzles use simple blocks to make a character move around the screen. Each block tells the character what to do. Here’s how to build a simple route puzzle:

1. Choose a character (called a sprite)
2. Click on a block to make the character move
3. Stack blocks to make a path
4. Test your route by clicking the green flag
5. Change or fix blocks if the character doesn’t go where you want

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are making a puzzle for a friend. You want to make a character go from the bottom left to the top right of the screen. Here’s how you could do it:

When you click the green flag, the character will follow your route and go from the bottom left to the top right.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a treasure hunter! You have a map with clues. The treasure is hidden at the top right of the screen. You must give your character the right directions to find it. Here’s your mission:

1. Start at the bottom left of the screen
2. Move forward 5 steps
3. Turn right 90 degrees
4. Move forward 5 steps
5. Turn left 90 degrees
6. Move forward 5 steps
7. Turn right 90 degrees
8. Move forward 5 steps

Can you make your character follow this path? Try it in ScratchJr and see if you find the treasure!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Forgetting to click the green flag to run the program
  Why it happens: Kids get excited and forget the final step
  Fix: Always remember to click the green flag to see your character move
• Mistake: Using the wrong turn block (like turning left when you meant right)
  Why it happens: Not reading the direction carefully
  Fix: Look at the arrow on the block and make sure it matches your plan
• Mistake: Not stacking blocks in the right order
  Why it happens: Blocks can get mixed up when you’re adding them
  Fix: Read your plan from top to bottom and add blocks one by one

Parent and carer guide

Help your child by:

• Reading the instructions together before starting
• Encouraging them to test their program often
• Letting them make mistakes and fix them – that’s how we learn!
• Using real-life directions to explain blocks (like "turn left at the shop")
• Practising with simple puzzles first before trying harder ones

Don’t worry if they get stuck – it’s normal to need to try a few times to get it right. The most important thing is that they’re having fun and learning!

Practice questions

1. What block makes a character move forward?
2. Which block makes a character turn right?
3. What happens when you click the green flag?
4. How many steps do you need to go from the bottom left to the top right of the screen if you move 5 steps each time?
5. Can you make a path that goes forward 3 steps, then turns left, then goes forward 3 steps?

Answers:

1. Move block
2. Turn right block
3. The character starts moving
4. 4 steps
5. Yes, by using the Move and Turn blocks in order

FAQ

What is a route puzzle in ScratchJr?

A route puzzle is a set of blocks that tells a character how to move around the screen. It's like a map for your character to follow.

Can I make more than one route puzzle?

Yes! You can make many puzzles and give them to friends to solve.

Do I need to know how to read to make a route puzzle?

No, you can use pictures and simple words to help you make your puzzle.

How can I make my route puzzle harder?

You can add more turns, more steps, or make your character do more actions like jumping or spinning.

Is ScratchJr good for learning maths?

Yes! It helps with directions, patterns, and understanding how to follow steps – all important maths skills.