Strategies
If you're feeling stuck on a problem, try out one of these strategies! Hover over each image for more detail.
a stack at a time
Click on a stack to run only that part of your project. Does it work? Click on another stack.
project talk
Make your project talk to you! Add extra "say" blocks in-between the blocks you're testing, to see if all of your blocks are being run in your project.
try something else
There are many ways to do the same thing in Scratch. What's another way you might try?
problem? opportunity!
Can't get past a problem? Can you reframe the problem so that it becomes an advantage or opportunity?
draw a diagram
Draw a map or a flowchart of how you envision your project working. What happens when you click the green flag?
be inspired by others
Find a project you find exciting and click "see inside." What do you notice? What can you learn from it?
answer someone's question
Go to the "Help with Scripts" forum and try to answer at least one question. You know more than you think.
break it down!
Sometimes we get stuck because the problem seems overwhelming. Write down three things that make up the problem.
search online
See if someone else has an answer! Try Googling [block name] + [thing you want it to do].
help a friend
Ask friends if they need any help with their projects. Even if you're a beginner, everyone has something to contribute.
remix a project
Find a project you find inspiring and click "Remix." Try making some changes to the project!
just keep going!
Try lots of things! Try three other strategies! Switch out some blocks! You've got this.
post a question online
Check out the "Help with Scripts" forum on Scratch and ask your question. Don't forget to link to your project.
make a small goal today
Pick one thing that you want to accomplish/learn today.
figure out your style
Do you like to make your own blocks? Hide blocks on invisible sprites? Look at some of your projects and try to notice the things you tend to do. Make sure to leave comments in projects for others to read.
talk it through
Talk to a friend (or just out loud to yourself) about what you need to get done.
work on an old project
Find a project you haven't worked on in awhile and make some changes. What did you do differently then? How would you do that now?
organize your sprites
Are all of your blocks on the right sprites? Click through all of them to check; don't forget about the background!
compromise
What is one thing you imagine your project doing? Can you just get part of that done today?
tell a story
Write out what your sprites will do. How will a user feel when they interact with your project?
check out what's trending
Take a look at some of the projects trending on the Scratch front page. What do you notice? What are you inspired by?
remix something
Use the backpack feature to look at other projects and find sprites or code blocks to incorporate into your remix. Don't forget to give credit.
find a tutorial
Other Scratchers have made lots of different tutorials. Try searching the Scratch site to find a tutorial, such as "platformer game tutorial" or "video sensing tutorial".
take a break
Go for a walk. Read a book. Eat something. Then try again.
use the tips window
Try out one of the tutorials in the tips window (that little question mark in the corner). Did you know that the tips window has more information about each block?
ask a friend
Ask a friend to take a look at your project. Everyone needs help sometimes!
recruit a teammate
Ask a friend to join you on your project. What strengths do they have to contribute?
make a checklist
Make a list of everything you want your project to do.