matchaxmoxie · 凤凰 · classroom home · @zhao.langxi

Jade Zhao · matchaxmoxie = matcha energy · cookie classroom

Scratch studio

Pick one starter. Hit green flag on this site. Download .sb3 only if you remix offline. Can’t ELI5 the how-to? Rebuild from the steps. Slow is fine.

matchaxmoxie teaching craft (on archive pause for IU Luddy senior year). Not affiliated with Scratch Team. Playground lives right here.

Quick start

  1. What this is: starter projects with play / download / how-to, equal weight.
  2. What to do next: pick a starter below · green flag on this site.
  3. Official source: scratch.mit.edu for Create · we are not Scratch Team.

Pick a starter

One tap. Then play here. How to play sits next to the green flag.

Your last starter stays on this device if you said yes to the cookie. Decline and it lasts for this visit only.

How to make a Jumping Game in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Jumping Game

Space to jump. Land on platforms. Learn motion, gravity, and when to listen for a key.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: variables for y speed, forever loops, key events.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Jumping Game (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a character that jumps with the space bar, falls with gravity, and lands on a platform.

Set the stage

  1. Load the Jumping Game starter (.sb3), or open a new Scratch project and delete the default cat.
  2. Paint or pick one player sprite (a duck, a kid, a blob: anything with feet).
  3. Paint a simple platform costume on a second sprite, or draw a ground strip on the backdrop.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • when green flag clicked · start clean every play
  • forever · keep checking keys and gravity
  • if key space pressed? · jump once, not forever fly
  • change y by · up for jump, down for fall
  • if touching platform / color · stop falling when you land

Build it · KISS

  1. On the player: green flag → go to a start x/y near the left → set a variable y speed to 0.
  2. Forever: if space pressed and you are on the ground, set y speed to a positive number (try 12).
  3. Still in forever: change y by y speed, then change y speed by a small negative number (try −1) so gravity pulls down.
  4. If touching the platform (or ground color), set y to sit on top and set y speed to 0.
  5. Optional: left/right with arrow keys using change x by.

Classroom check

Can you jump, land, and not sink through the floor? Good. Now remix costumes or add a second platform.

What would you add next? A score for landing, a moving platform, or a soft “oops” sound when you miss.

How to make a Catch Game in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Catch Game

Things fall. You move. Score goes up. Practice forever loops and touching.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: forever loops, touching, score variables.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Catch Game (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a basket (or hand) that slides left and right while fruit falls. Catch = points.

Set the stage

  1. One catcher sprite at the bottom.
  2. One falling item sprite (apple, star, duck snack).
  3. Create a variable: score.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • when green flag clicked
  • forever + point towards mouse or arrow keys for the catcher
  • go to random position then set y high for the falling item
  • change y by −... inside forever to fall
  • if touching catcher → change score by 1, then reset the item above the stage

Build it · KISS

  1. Catcher: green flag → forever → move with left/right keys (change x by 8 / −8).
  2. Item: green flag → set score to 0 → go to a random x at the top.
  3. Item forever: change y by −6. If y is too low (missed), reset to top with a new random x.
  4. If touching catcher: change score by 1, play a short sound, reset to top.
  5. Show score with say or a variable monitor on the stage.

Classroom check

Does the score only go up when you actually touch? Misses should reset without points.

What would you add next? A “bad” item that subtracts points, or speed that rises every 10 catches.

How to make a Pong Game in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Pong Game

Paddle, ball, bounce. Classic energy with variables and bounce if on edge.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: direction, bounce, paddle follow, lives.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Pong Game (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a paddle you control and a ball that bounces until it slips past you.

Set the stage

  1. Paddle sprite: a wide flat costume near the bottom.
  2. Ball sprite: a small circle.
  3. Optional: variable lives starting at 3.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • go to x: ... y: ... to set start positions
  • point in direction (try 45) then move ... steps forever
  • if on edge, bounce
  • if touching paddle → turn a little or bounce upward
  • Paddle: follow mouse x, or arrow keys, keep y fixed

Build it · KISS

  1. Paddle: green flag → forever → set x to mouse x (or keys). Keep y at the bottom.
  2. Ball: green flag → go to centre → point in direction 45.
  3. Ball forever: move 8 steps → if on edge, bounce.
  4. If touching paddle: point in a new upward-ish direction (or turn 180 with a small random twist).
  5. If the ball’s y goes below the paddle: change lives by −1, reset ball to centre. At 0, stop and say “nice try.”

Classroom check

Ball should leave the paddle and keep moving. Edges bounce. Floor miss costs a life.

What would you add next? A second paddle for a friend, or bricks above that disappear when hit.

How to make a Clicker Game in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Clicker Game

Click for points. Buy upgrades. Variables and costumes sell a tiny game loop.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: click events, variables, one upgrade loop.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Clicker Game (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a sprite you click for points, plus one upgrade button that makes each click worth more.

Set the stage

  1. Main clickable sprite (cookie, duck, star: your call).
  2. Upgrade button sprite with a clear label costume.
  3. Variables: points, click power (start at 1), upgrade cost (start at 10).

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • when this sprite clicked
  • change points by click power
  • next costume or a quick size pulse for feedback
  • Upgrade: if points ≥ cost → subtract cost → change click power by 1 → raise the cost

Build it · KISS

  1. Green flag on stage or any sprite: set points to 0, click power to 1, upgrade cost to 10.
  2. Main sprite: when clicked → change points by click power → play a pop → briefly change size by 10 then back.
  3. Upgrade sprite: when clicked → if points ≥ upgrade cost → change points by (0 − cost) → change click power by 1 → change upgrade cost by 10.
  4. Optional: forever on the upgrade sprite → say join of “Upgrade: ” and upgrade cost.

Classroom check

First clicks should feel juicy. Buying an upgrade should make the next clicks grow faster.

What would you add next? Auto-click every second, or a second upgrade that changes costume “tiers.”

Welcome to matchaxmoxie Studio matchaxmoxie · 凤凰 · phoenix

Studio intro

Start here. Who matchaxmoxie is, how this archive works, and how to open Scratch.

Archive intro · text only (no .sb3)

Open the how-to

You will learn: the classroom vibe, where to click in Scratch, and how matchaxmoxie runs a lesson.

Who is matchaxmoxie?

matchaxmoxie is Jade Zhao’s cookie classroom brand. Engineering is for everyone. That line still holds.

Right now the classroom is on archive pause for senior year at IU Luddy (Informatics, Class of 2027). These how-tos stay as teaching craft. Paused, not deleted.

Play first, remix later

  1. On this site: pick a starter → Play on this site → green flag.
  2. Want to edit blocks later? Download the .sb3, then open Scratch Create and File → Load from your computer.
  3. In Scratch: left stage and sprites, middle scripts, right coloured blocks. Green flag runs. Red stop ends.
  4. You cannot break the computer. Worst case: duplicate the sprite and try again.

How matchaxmoxie teaches (every project)

  1. Show the finished vibe for about 30 seconds.
  2. Build one mechanic together · KISS (keep it simple).
  3. Let learners remix costumes or scores.
  4. End with “what would you add next?”

Where else to go

Next: pick Jumping or Catch. Ship something that moves before you decorate forever.

How to make a Scrolling Background in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Scrolling Background

Make the world move under your sprite. Keep the camera feeling alive.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: looping x motion, costume cycles, layered scroll.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Scrolling Background (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a runner-style scene where the ground (or sky strip) slides forever while your hero stays centre-ish.

Set the stage

  1. Hero sprite near the middle.
  2. Ground sprite: a wide costume. Duplicate it so you have two ground pieces side by side.
  3. Optional: a second layer (clouds) that moves slower for depth.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • forever → change x by −... on ground pieces
  • When a ground piece’s x is too far left, jump it to the right of its partner
  • Hero: costumes for a simple run cycle with next costume every few beats
  • Optional: scroll only while right arrow is pressed

Build it · KISS

  1. Place ground A at x = 0, ground B at x = width of costume (often around 480).
  2. Both grounds: forever → change x by −4.
  3. If a ground’s x < −480 (or past the left edge), set x to the other ground’s x + 480.
  4. Hero: forever → next costume → wait 0.1 seconds (run animation).
  5. Optional jump: reuse the Jumping Game gravity idea on the hero only.

Classroom check

No gaps between ground pieces. The seam should feel invisible when they loop.

What would you add next? Obstacles that also scroll, or a finish line after 30 seconds.

How to make a Virtual Pet in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Virtual Pet

Feed, play, rest. Hunger and mood as kid-friendly state.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: state variables, buttons, timers.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Virtual Pet (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a pet that gets hungry over time, plus buttons to feed, play, and rest.

Set the stage

  1. Pet sprite with at least two costumes: happy and sleepy (or hungry).
  2. Three button sprites: Feed, Play, Rest.
  3. Variables: hunger (0 to 10), mood (0 to 10). Start both at 7.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • Green flag → set hunger and mood
  • Forever + wait 3 seconds → change hunger by −1 (time passes)
  • When Feed clicked → change hunger by 2 (cap at 10)
  • When Play clicked → change mood by 2, maybe change hunger by −1
  • If hunger < 3 → switch costume to hungry look; else happy

Build it · KISS

  1. Pet: green flag → set hunger 7, mood 7 → show happy costume.
  2. Pet forever: wait 3 seconds → change hunger by −1 → if hunger < 0, set to 0.
  3. Still forever: if hunger < 3 or mood < 3, switch to sleepy/hungry costume; else happy.
  4. Feed button: when clicked → change hunger by 2 → say “nom” for 1 second.
  5. Play button: when clicked → change mood by 2 → change hunger by −1 → brief dance (turn 15, turn −15).
  6. Rest button: when clicked → change mood by 1 → wait 1 second with eyes-closed costume.

Classroom check

Ignoring the pet should visibly change the costume. Care should bring it back.

What would you add next? A simple day/night backdrop, or a diary variable that counts days alive.

How to make a Story in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Story

Scenes, say blocks, and wait. Narrative structure as code.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: scenes, broadcasts, one choice fork.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Story (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a three-scene mini story with dialogue and one choice that branches the ending.

Set the stage

  1. Two character sprites (you + a friend, animal, or mentor figure).
  2. Three backdrops: Place A, Place B, Ending.
  3. Optional: a “Next” button sprite for click-to-advance.

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • switch backdrop to
  • say ... for ... seconds and wait
  • broadcast message / when I receive to start the next scene
  • ask ... and wait + answer for a simple choice
  • Hide/show sprites per scene so the stage stays calm

Build it · KISS

  1. Write a tiny script on paper first: beginning → problem → choice → two endings.
  2. Green flag → backdrop Place A → show both characters → say the opening lines with waits.
  3. Broadcast “scene2” → when received: switch backdrop Place B → new dialogue.
  4. Ask a yes/no question. If answer contains “yes,” broadcast “ending-bright.” Else broadcast “ending-quiet.”
  5. Each ending: switch backdrop Ending → one last say → stop all or loop a soft thank-you.

Classroom check

Can a classmate play without you talking over it? Timing and clear choices matter more than fancy art.

What would you add next? Sound per scene, or a title screen with your name as director.

How to make a Character Designer in Scratch · matchaxmoxie

Character Designer

Mix costumes, hats, and colours. Layering without blank-page panic.

How-to ready · starter .sb3

What you’ll practice: costumes, layers, next-costume buttons.

Play here · green flag Download .sb3 Open how-to
Open the how-to

Starter file: Download Character Designer (.sb3) · File → Load from your computer · then green flag. Or rebuild from the steps below.

You will make: a dress-up station: base body plus hat and shirt layers you cycle with buttons.

Set the stage

  1. Base body sprite with 2 to 3 skin or body costumes.
  2. Hat sprite with several hat costumes, centred on the head.
  3. Shirt / accessory sprite with a few options.
  4. Arrow button sprites: “body next,” “hat next,” “shirt next.”

Blocks matchaxmoxie cares about

  • next costume on each layer when its button is clicked
  • go to / layer order: body back, shirt middle, hat front
  • Optional: set color effect for a soft recolor without new art
  • Green flag → reset each sprite to costume 1

Build it · KISS

  1. Align hat and shirt so they sit on the body. Duplicate costumes instead of redrawing from scratch each time.
  2. Body button: when clicked → next costume on the body sprite.
  3. Hat button: when clicked → next costume on the hat sprite.
  4. Shirt button: when clicked → next costume on the shirt sprite.
  5. Optional “surprise me”: when clicked → pick random costume numbers for all three.
  6. Optional “save look”: say “screenshot with the camera tool” for 2 seconds (teach the Scratch paint/camera habit).

Classroom check

Every button should change only its layer. No blank costumes in the cycle if you can help it.

What would you add next? A name label with ask/answer, or export the look into your Jumping Game hero.

How matchaxmoxie teaches

One project at a time. Show the finished vibe first. Then blocks. Then let them remix. Same beat every time: KISS.

Built for workshops and peer mentoring. Work-school-job appropriate. Hiatus means fewer new lessons for now. The how-tos already here stay open. Starter .sb3 files are ready to download. Optional live Scratch share URLs can land later after Jade uploads them.

home IU guide scratch.mit.edu jadexzhao @zhao.langxi