Scratch Conversation 2 – code-it supported by HIAS, Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service

Scratch Conversation 2 (Broadcast it) This module builds on the last conversation module by using a broadcast block to pass the conversation around between multiple characters. Pupils could write a playscript and then code it using this method. Broadcasting is used in lots of other Scratch programs but some pupils struggle to understand it unless they have used it in a very basic way such as this. Broadcasting works by creating code that is passed on to any other sprite or the stage. However it is only acted on if there is code in these other areas that picks it up and codes what to do with it. There are lots of fun ways to introduce this idea. My favourite is to whisper in a few pupils ears that when you say ‘Fred’ or some other code word they must stand up and jump up and down repeatedly. Only the pupils with the code word act on the broadcast although all of the rest of the class hear it.
Notes	Scratch 1.4	Scratch 2.0
Explain that for our first task we are going to find or create three or more characters to include in our conversation. Remind pupils how to delete the existing cat sprite.	Right click on the cat sprite and left click on delete	Left click on the cat sprite Left click on the scissors on the top bar Now left click on the cat to delete it
Show pupils how to rename the sprite. This will help if their conversations are complex. Allow them time to carry this out for all of their characters. You may wish to import photos or work with pictures of famous people.	Type into this box	First click this i icon The sprite icon slides to reveal this information underneath. Type where circled
Show pupils how to choose three or more new characters from the existing ones found in Scratch or via other methods. Drag the characters around on the screen so they are next to each other at the bottom	Left click on the middle choose new sprite from file button Choose a sprite from either the Animals, Fantasy or People folders	Left click on the choose new sprite from library button Choose a sprite from either the Animals, Fantasy or People sections
Remind pupils of their previous experience coding conversations using say and wait blocks.
Explain that this time we are going to pass the conversation around using broadcast commands. There are lots of fun ways to introduce this idea. My favourite is to whisper in a few pupils ears that when I say ‘Fred’ or some other code word they must stand up and jump up and down repeatedly. Only the pupils with the code word act on the broadcast although all of the rest of the class hear it. Another way is to ask pupils to stand up. After they have done it, explain to them that they have code in their heads that says that if they are asked to stand up by a teacher they act on it. If a fellow pupil made the same request most of them wouldn’t carry it out. Broadcast blocks are similar.
Take your time setting up a conversation and then passing it along to two other characters. Play the conversation a couple of times using the green flag. Labour the proceedure. You may even want to get pupils out to mimic the conversation slowly so you can highlight what the blocks are doing. Restrict pupils to finishing their dialogue before they are permitted to add other features such as movement or background. Stress that then need to create a block and then test it. It is so much easier to spot errors if you create test debug create test debug etc	In the first sprite set up something like this. Drag a broadcast block on the end and click on the small black triangle and select new. When the input box appears type 1 or a. Click on the second and third sprites and setup code similar to this. Go back to the first sprite and continue the conversation like this	In the first sprite set up something like this. Drag a broadcast block on the end and click on the small black triangle and select new. When the input box appears type 1 or a. Click on the second and third sprites and setup code similar to this. Go back to the first sprite and continue the conversation like this
Once the speech is perfect you could add a background	Left click on Stage Then click on the backgrounds tab before selecting import	Left click on Stage Then left click on the choose backdrop from library button Scratch 2.0 has more backdrops than Scratch 1.4
They can move characters around the screen using the glide command. Before you do this spend some time explaining X and Y. Not every pupils will understand this fully especially if you are working in Year 3. I oftens start by pointing out on the screen where the x and y coordinates are displayed in Scratch. 1.4 2.0 You can also import a background like this to help explain things. It is in the other section in Scratch 2.0. Start in the centre 0,0 and move upwards with your cursor note how Y increases. Go back to the centre and ask pupils to predict what will happen to Y if you move the cursor down. Start in the centre and go right and note how X increases. Go back to the centre and ask pupils to predict what will happen if you go left?
Now demonstrate placing a sprite in its start position by dragging them from the middle and reading the X and Y and typing them into the go to X: and Y: block. Now choose a place to move to. Move the cursor over it to see what X reading it has. Type this new X reading into the glide block. Test the program to see if it works. I recommend setting up separate blocks for these actions from your speech blocks even though you can use the same broadcast triggers.
You could also use a broadcast command to change your stage backgrounds. Challenge your students to link these changes to real events within the conversation.	In the sprite script area Create a broadcast command to change the stage (change stage) or use a broadcast that you have created to pass the conversation on. In the stage area pick up the broadcast. Don’t forget to make a green flag block that sets the stage to the one you want when you start.	In the sprite script area Create a broadcast command to change the stage (open door) or use a broadcast that you have created to pass the conversation on. In the stage area pick up the broadcast. Don’t forget to make a green flag block that sets the stage to the one you want when you start.
Progression Ideas I recommend Conversation Basic Quiz Conversation with Broadcast Crab Maze, Spider Maze or Car Race Text Adventure Automatic Quiz