Scratch JR currently is a totally different thing, not just from the block functionalities but also how evens work etc.
I suggest making it more like an easier version of scratch so that after using it you can move on to Scratch when old enough without having to re-learn basics.
(To basically make Scratch JR be a child friendly (bigger blocks and less options, simplifications) version of scratch).

BitcoinFarmer wrote:

Scratch JR currently is a totally different thing, not just from the block functionalities but also how evens work etc.
I suggest making it more like an easier version of scratch so that after using it you can move on to Scratch when old enough without having to re-learn basics.
(To basically make Scratch JR be a child friendly (bigger blocks and less options, simplifications) version of scratch).

in fact, scratch jr has no variables, lists, or my blocks, so it is almost purely graphics

True, as those blocks are too hard to use or really understand for children under 8.
However Scratch JR has features not comparable to Scratch, like scenes or a grid view to estimate stuff on the stage.
There's a “speed” block as well, which is kinda a weird implementation.
Also for example a “forever” to just slap at the end is really a different concept and children could in my opinion handle the scratch version which is better.


Also, how's there for example not ab lock to reset the rotation

I don't think Scratch JR should look like scratch, at all.

First of all, no variables lists operators or defining new blocks, because that is very hard to believe 5-7 year olds would know how this works.
Second, an online version wouldn't be good because that would not be safe, they would not know what to say, and probably not read directions.
Third, many don't really know how to read in that age.
For me, I was not in that case. I learned to read at age 2. But, it's important for Scratch JR to be more colourful and shapes and those stuff instead of words or language.
Fourth, I used ScratchJR just when it was released and was there until 2016 (or was it 2017?) and went to normal scratch.mit.edu. I found the transition comfortable and fine, no change needed.

Your point about it would be useful if it was similar so it could not re-learn basics or make complex projects easier is strong, but I strongly believe before scratchers learn how to make games and those stuff, they know how to do basic motion animation costumes, those things. That is the foundation. You know why? It's just like math. THe foundation is numbers, then algebraic letters. Variables are the algebraic letters, and numbers are the motion and costume blocks.

So good idea but I don't think Scratch JR should look more like Scratch. If you are concerned of the transition, that is a reasonable concern. However, I am positive that a new Scratcher just exploring the website for a few months will be the transition.

TutorKing wrote:

I don't think Scratch JR should look like scratch, at all.

First of all, no variables lists operators or defining new blocks, because that is very hard to believe 5-7 year olds would know how this works.
Second, an online version wouldn't be good because that would not be safe, they would not know what to say, and probably not read directions.
Third, many don't really know how to read in that age.
For me, I was not in that case. I learned to read at age 2. But, it's important for Scratch JR to be more colourful and shapes and those stuff instead of words or language.
Fourth, I used ScratchJR just when it was released and was there until 2016 (or was it 2017?) and went to normal scratch.mit.edu. I found the transition comfortable and fine, no change needed.

Your point about it would be useful if it was similar so it could not re-learn basics or make complex projects easier is strong, but I strongly believe before scratchers learn how to make games and those stuff, they know how to do basic motion animation costumes, those things. That is the foundation. You know why? It's just like math. THe foundation is numbers, then algebraic letters. Variables are the algebraic letters, and numbers are the motion and costume blocks.

So good idea but I don't think Scratch JR should look more like Scratch. If you are concerned of the transition, that is a reasonable concern. However, I am positive that a new Scratcher just exploring the website for a few months will be the transition.

no support because like he said, W reason.

Here are a few cons of this:

• Scratch Jr isn't really meant for kids to interact, since it's a runner-up for Scratch.
  

• No 5-7 year old understands operators, lists, variables, etc.
  

• Making it an “easier” version (to us 8-16+ yr olds) doesn't make since: We define “easier” as the operators, and mathematical things i don't even understand yet.
  

• 5 year olds aren't really readers, that's why they have picture blocks.
  

so no support.

AdaVesta_ wrote:

Here are a few cons of this:

• Scratch Jr isn't really meant for kids to interact, since it's a runner-up for Scratch.
  

• No 5-7 year old understands operators, lists, variables, etc.
  

• Making it an “easier” version (to us 8-16+ yr olds) doesn't make since: We define “easier” as the operators, and mathematical things i don't even understand yet.
  

• 5 year olds aren't really readers, that's why they have picture blocks.
  

so no support.

There is a chance that age range can know the advanced scratch blocks

WigglyJoey wrote:

AdaVesta_ wrote:

Here are a few cons of this:

• Scratch Jr isn't really meant for kids to interact, since it's a runner-up for Scratch.
  

• No 5-7 year old understands operators, lists, variables, etc.
  

• Making it an “easier” version (to us 8-16+ yr olds) doesn't make since: We define “easier” as the operators, and mathematical things i don't even understand yet.
  

• 5 year olds aren't really readers, that's why they have picture blocks.
  

so no support.

There is a chance that age range can know the advanced scratch blocks

Like a .0000001%

Scratch jr is for kids that don't know a lot about coding. After you are okay with coding, you can use scratch. I learned how to use scratch jr first, then scratch

I mean, I'm on the normal scratch and I have no idea what the

(() mod (0))

(round ())

or

([abs v] of ()::operators)

blocks do.

Vikingdude10 wrote:

I mean, I'm on the normal scratch and I have no idea what the (snip of mathematical blocks) blocks do.

(() mod ())

gets the remainder of its inputs divided together,

(round ())

gets the nearest whole number/integer to the input (e.g. 3 for 3.2), and

([abs v] of ()::operators)

gets the input's distance from 0.