pkrp-about
This activity is designed to guide ākonga to a build real search function using lists to store word pairs in English and te reo Māori that users can look up on demand.
Learners will build two matching lists, record audio for each Māori word, and use a repeat-until loop paired with an if/then block to search through the list until a match is found. They’ll test their search with a range of words, checking that the spoken audio and on-screen answer appear together, and debug any mismatches between list order and sound files. Haere tonu koe, you’re building a real search engine!
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[Project] | Interactive Example Project
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/731209581/
Click the green flag to start the program, then click the Kiwi to enter your first input.
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Sequencing a search by setting a starting count, asking the user a question, then checking a list
Selecting between outcomes with an If/Then block
Repeating the search with a loop, using Repeat Until to check items one at a time until a match is found
Testing and debugging to make sure a program functions as intended
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Storing bilingual word pairs as structured data across two corresponding lists
Combining list data, recorded audio, and on-screen text into one searchable outcome
Testing the search function, and evaluating what happens when a word isn’t found
Choosing appropriate file naming and organisation for audio files so they match list entries
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learning-languages
See ‘Te Reo Māori’ link below.
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Bilingual search and translation between English and te reo Māori, built on matched word lists a user can query.
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Provide a printed or on-screen version of the finished block sequence as a scaffold (page 2 of the activity guide), so ākonga can focus on understanding the logic rather than reconstructing it from scratch.
Let ākonga choose their own theme and word set, to keep the vocabulary personally relevant while practising the same list-and-search logic.
For new or less confident coders, cap the lists at 3–4 word pairs, to keep the task more manageable while they get the search loop working.
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Add a “not found” message that responds when the loop finishes without a match, to handle the situation more gracefully when words aren’t in the list.
Organise the word lists alphabetically or by theme, to make managing a larger vocabulary set easier to navigate.
Make the app more flexible by programming it to let users search in either direction, English→Māori or Māori→English.
pkrp-notes
Teachers should consider:
Scratch account permissions, including obtaining the necessary parent/guardian permissions for ākonga to register and use a Scratch account, or setting up the Scratch Offline Editor application on classroom devices in order to facilitate the activity without the need for user accounts or internet connection.
Device & microphone access, including checking devices are charged, that Scratch is accessible, and that microphone permissions are already enabled before ākonga start.
Kupu selection, including deciding whether ākonga choose their own words or work from a shared list.
Te reo Māori pronunciation support, including having a pronunciation guide or fluent speaker on hand so the recorded audio models correct te reo.
See Digital Safety & Wellbeing guidance below for more on managing audio recordings.
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Scratch runs in a browser and needs an internet connection. Recording sound requires microphone permission in the browser and website, and the first recording attempt will prompt for this if it’s not already setup. Anyone under 16 needs parent/guardian permission to register a Scratch account. There is also the option to build and save project without an account using the Scratch Offline Editor application, which doesn’t send anything to the Scratch Team unless a project is later uploaded to the public site.
Before the activity
Make sure each student or group has access to a Scratch account or the Scratch Offline Editor.
Remind ākonga to handle devices with care and to consider what is appropriate to include in their project during design, recording, and programming.
Remind ākonga of your school’s digital use agreement before beginning any lesson that involves digital devices, digital platforms, or the internet.
During the activity
Set clear expectations around safe and purposeful device use at the start of each lesson.
Supervise and actively support device use throughout.
Discuss openly what is and isn’t appropriate to include in a ScratchJr project, as well as support ākonga to re-record a take rather than feel stuck with it.
Support ākonga to know that if they encounter content that feels inappropriate, confusing, or upsetting that they can flag this with kaiako without concern.
After the activity
Decide with ākonga if projects will be shared beyond the classroom or published to the public Scratch site.
If projects will stay within the Scratch Offline Editor, then consider whether the devices are shared with other classes and agree who’s responsible for keeping track of or clearing digital projects and related files, so no one’s project or audio recordings get lost, mishandled, or deleted by accident.
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>>> y7-8 | Y7-8 | 2 Lessons (Guided)
Lesson 1: Lists, Audio & Setup
Set Up Lists & Sprites — Guide ākonga to add a sprite, then create two lists named “English” and “Māori”, ticking the checkboxes so both show on stage.
Populate the Lists — Have ākonga add 5+ matching word pairs, checking row by row that each English word lines up with its correct Māori translation.
Record & Match Audio — Support ākonga to record one sound file per Māori word, naming each file to match its list entry.
Build the Ask & Set Blocks — Demonstrate the “when sprite clicked”, “set count to 1”, and “ask and wait” blocks together, then have ākonga build and test this opening sequence on its own to confirm that the Ask block correctly captures a typed answer before they move on.
Lesson 2: Search Logic, Testing & Debugging
Build the Search Loop — Walk through the “repeat until” and nested “if/then” blocks step by step, discussing how “count” and “length of English + 1” work together to check each list item in turn.
Connect Say & Sound to the Search — Guide ākonga to add the Say and Play Sound blocks inside the If/Then, matching them to the correct list item using “count”.
Test & Debug the Full Search — Prompt ākonga to click the green flag, test several words, and troubleshoot together where the count or list order doesn’t line up.
Extend the App — Offer the “not found” message or alphabetising the list (from Extension Ideas) as a stretch task for ākonga who finish early.
Share & Celebrate — As time allows, let ākonga demonstrate their finished program for the class, celebrating what they’ve created. Actively debug any issues or simply discuss bugs they encountered to encourage a supportive focuses on collaborating to find constructive solutions.