How to Program a Dance Party

In this activity, children will learn to use motion blocks to create a dance routine for the
ScratchJr Cat and any other characters they wish. The activity will also walk through how to
customize a background, record sounds, copy scripts, and use parallel programming in order to
make the dance party the best it can be!

1. Program Cat’s Dance

Use motion blocks to program Cat to dance
Before the Dance Party can begin, the ScratchJr Cat needs to practice their dance moves! Use
any combination of motion blocks and repeat loops to make a special dance.

Tip: Use the Repeat Forever block so Cat never stops dancing!

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

 2. Choose and Customize Background
2a. Select Backgrounds
Now that the ScratchJr Cat knows their dance, it’s time to set up the dance party! First, we’ll
choose a setting. Select backgrounds to change the setting.

2b. Tap background and then Paint Editor

Where should the dance party be? At the beach? On a stage? For this activity, it will be in the
classroom. To make the classroom ready for the party, we’ll need to customize it. Select the
background and then tap the Paint Editor button.

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

2c. Select “Cut” tool
We need to move the tables and chairs out of the way for the party! Select the “Cut” tool to
delete the tables and chairs from the classroom scene.

2d. Remove tables and chairs!

Tap on each item you’d like to remove from the background.

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

2e. Exit Paint Editor
Once the background is ready, return to the programming screen by clicking the check mark
in the top right corner.

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

 3. Choose Party Guest Characters
3a. Select Add Character
Time to add some friends to the dance party! Select the plus button on the left to add
characters.

3b. Select any characters you’d like at the dance party!

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

3c. Exit character gallery

3d. Repeat above steps until all party guests are present!

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

 4. Program Characters to Dance!
4a. Use motion blocks to program any dance you’d like!
Tap through the different characters to program each of them to do their own dance!

4b. Repeat for all characters

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

Tip: To make characters do the same dance as each other, drag the program you wish to copy
to other characters! This is called Copying Scripts.

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

 5. Add the Music!
5a. Select sound blocks
To complete the dance party, we need to add some music! Select the green sound blocks.

5b. Select the Sound Recorder Block

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

5c. Record your sound
To record a song for the dance party, either play music and record, or sing your own song!

5d. Add it to a program!

Add the sound recording to a new program for Cat. When characters have more than one
program running at a time it’s called Parallel Programming!

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.

 6. Start the Party!
Press the Green Flag!
Finally the dance party is done! Now, just press the green flag at the top to watch your party
happen! What will you and your students create?

© 2022, DevTech Research Group.