Scratch Programming

Teaching middle school students 21st Century Learning Skills is the motivation behind introducing them to Scratch programming.  Using Scratch will help students in the following areas according to the Why Learn Scratch website: "[Information and Communication Skills] Information and Media Literacy Skills, Communication Skills,[Thinking and Problem Solving Skills] Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking, Problem Identification, Formulation & Solution, Creativity and Intellectual Curiosity [Interpersonal & Self-Directional Skills] Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills, Self-Direction, Accountability and Adaptability, Social Responsibility" (http://learnscratch.org/resources/why-learn-scratch)