The document discusses using Scratch and Minecraft for teaching mathematics in middle years, highlighting how Scratch allows for the creation of animations while teaching essential math concepts like the Cartesian coordinate system and polygons. It emphasizes the development of logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaboration among students. Additionally, it aligns with the Victorian F-10 curriculum, incorporating various math topics throughout different year levels.

1. Using Scratch and Minecraft in
Middle Years Maths
Britt Gow, 2015

2. Science and Maths teacher
Hawkesdale P12 College
SW Victoria
Technomaths blog since 2010
Twitter @brittgow
brittgow@gmail.com

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgqAcTxiToE

10. http://technomaths.edublogs.org/2015/05/24/year-
8-increasing-volume-with-three-little-pigs/

11. https://scratch.mit.edu/

12. What is Scratch?
• ‘Scratch’ is an online website and offline
software that can be used to create simple
animations. It has a range of characters (called
‘sprites’) and backgrounds that can be
combined in a multitude of ways. The ‘sprite’
performs on a stage, which is based on the
Cartesian co-ordinate system, with (0,0) at the
centre. The user creates an animation using
simple drag-and-drop commands, such as ‘go
to (x,y)’; ‘move 100 steps’ or ‘turn 90 degrees’.

14. General, transferable skills
• Logical and creative thinking
• Systematic reasoning with instant feedback
• Communication and collaboration with peers
• Problem solving
• Developing patience and persistence
• Greater sense of control and responsibility for
the learning process

15. https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/59482726/

16. What Maths concepts can you learn?
• Cartesian co-ordinate system
• Identifying, creating and naming angles
(acute, right, obtuse, straight and reflex)
• Identifying, creating and naming polygons
• How to calculate the perimeter of polygons
• How to calculate the area of polygons

17. Scratch Resources
• Scratch for Parents
https://scratch.mit.edu/parents/
•
• Why Learn Scratch?
http://learnscratch.org/resources/why-learn-
scratch
•
• Why Kids Should Learn Scratch
https://thecoderfactory.com/posts/Why-Kids-
Should-Learn-Scratch

18. Victorian F-10 Curriculum
• Creating symmetrical patterns, pictures and shapes
with (and without) digital technologies (Year 4);
• Applying the enlargement transformation to familiar
two-dimensional shapes and exploring the properties
of the resulting image compared with the original (Year
5);
• Introducing the Cartesian Co-ordinate system using all
four quadrats (Year 6);
• Describing translations, reflections in an axis and
rotations of multiples of 90 degrees on the Cartesian
plane using co-ordinates (Year 7); and
• Plotting linear relationships on the Cartesian plane
with (and without) the use of digital technologies (Year
8).

19. Thanks for your participation in
this session!
Feel free to contact me by email
or Twitter @brittgow
Please complete the Evaluation form at
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aluation+Form