Scratch is a programming website created by MIT that allows users to program animated sprites on backgrounds. Sprites are the main characters or actors that can be moved using programming blocks. There are many blocks for motion, sounds, and controls that bring the sprites to life. Backgrounds provide the setting for the scene and only one can be displayed at a time. Common blocks include motion blocks to move sprites, look blocks to change appearances, sound blocks to add audio, and control blocks for conditions and loops.