Platform

• Scratch

Digital Technologies Progress Outcomes

[CTDT] = PO2

• Writing an event-driven Scratch program

• Managing multiple elements within a single program to create a cohesive interactive system

• Systematically testing and debugging

• Understanding that program behaviour is determined by code and that changing code changes outcomes

[DDDO] = PO2

• Designing and creating a purposeful interactive digital outcome

• Making intentional design decisions

• Working through a structured multi-stage production process

• Evaluating the finished program as a functional interactive outcome

Cross-Curricular Links

• Social Sciences / Aotearoa NZ Histories

  Engaging with the cultural significance of Matariki

• English

  Researching, evaluating sources, distilling information, writing, creating, and delivering multimedia content for an audience

• The Arts

  Designing a visual presentation to create a coherent and engaging digital environment

• Maths & Stats

  Using astronomical brightness data (magnitude) to determine relative sprite sizes, connecting mathematical reasoning to a real-world design decision

Year Levels

• Y5-6 (Guided, scaffolded, small-group project with shared roles)

• Y7-8 (Guided to independent, light support in stages towards increasing autonomy)

• Y9+ (Independent)

Duration

• Y5-6 = 4+ lessons

• Y7+ = 3+ lessons

Resources

• Virtual Presentation Activity Guide

• Interactive Display Board (Template Project)

Differentiation

Stretch the activity into a unit plan by spreading the workload over multiple session, focusing on research, design, programming and construction.

Set the size of the sprites as relative to the brightness (magnitude) of the stars they represent.

Extension

Create an interactive display board with Makey Makey based on the same topic, using this guide:

• Extension Topic: Matariki Cluster

About Activity

This programming activity extends from the Interactive Display Board template activity to create a virtual presentation in Scratch focused on Te Kāhui o Matariki, the Matariki star cluster.

Create an interactive Scratch program that brings together skills in research, literacy, oratory and digital technologies. Learners will work independently or as a team to investigate the topic assignment, distill information, capture sound and code a program featuring Te Iwa o Matariki, the nine stars of Matariki.

Using this Virtual Presentation Guide

This activity is a virtual extension version of the the Interactive Display Board template activity, which means it offers a method for creating an interactive display board entirely in Scratch and doesn’t require any Makey Makey hardware or additional arts and crafts supplies. Please use this Matariki topic virtual presentation guide together with the Interactive Display Board template activity guide in order to understand the concept, goals, and outcomes.

Virtual Presentation Activity Guide

Teachers should consider:

• Device Preparation as a pre-lesson task.

• Group Assignments and logistics, including student collaboration and content focus.

• Digital Safety & Wellbeing to make sure device use is safe, supervised, and purposeful throughout, as this activity can involve using the internet for research as well as accessing Scratch.

  • General Guidance

    • Set clear expectations around safe and purposeful device use at the start of each lesson.

    • If ākonga encounter content that feels inappropriate, confusing, or upsetting during research, they should know they can flag this with kaiako without concern.

    • Remind ākonga of your school's digital use agreement before beginning any lesson that involves internet research or use of a third-party platform.

  • Before the activity

    • Consider reviewing and pre-selecting a set of reliable, age-appropriate sources, rather than open internet searching.

    • Familiarise yourself with Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) and the settings that control how saved projects are visible publicly to others.

  • During the activity

    • Supervise internet use throughout, circulating actively to monitor and support ākonga.

    • Use the FACT framework in the template activity guide as a live tool during research.

    • Discuss openly what is and isn't appropriate to include in a Scratch project.

    • Encourage ākonga to treat all sources about Matariki, particularly those representing mātauranga Māori, with respect and care as it’s part of a living, culturally significant body of knowledge.

Lesson Progression Guide

• Y5–6 | 4+ Lessons (Guided, Group Project)

  • Lesson 1 — Assignments & Research

  • Lesson 2 — Script Writing & Audio Recording

  • Lesson 3 — Scratch Programming

  • Lesson 4 — Debugging & Refinement

  • Lesson 5 — Sharing & Reflection

• Y7+ | 3+ Lessons (Guided to Independent, Group Project)

  • Lesson 1 — Introduction, Research & Script Writing

  • Lesson 2 — Audio Recording & Scratch Programming

  • Lesson 3 — Programming, Testing & Debugging

  • Lesson 4 — Sharing & Reflection