Scratch: Converting

decimals to binary
1.5 to 2 hours

Description
In this lesson, students will review binary code for decimal numbers and use Scratch to
create a binary number converter. The lesson involves hands-on activities, flowchart
creation, and Scratch coding to convert decimal numbers to binary.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Students will understand the concept of binary numbers and how they
relate to decimal numbers
Students will create a Scratch project that converts decimal numbers
to binary
Students will demonstrate use of join, mod and floor blocks

Resources Vocabulary
Teacher binary
C4K Dashboard decimal
algorithm
Students variable
Log into C4K Dashboard loop
Scratch: Game modulus (mod)
floor function
string
conversion

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 1

Code4Kids | 2025
 Independent

Information for the teacher

Students should access the lesson via logging in to c4k.io.
Students should progress through the information tabs independently.

Tabs Description

Intro The title page that provides the lesson name.

This tab provides your students with information

Getting started
about the lesson.

Students review binary through a fun hand-on

Task 1 activity using their fingers. They should fill in the
missing answers.

Students fill in the missing answers in the binary

Task 2
table.

Observations are revised. Students discuss with a

peer:
Discussion
Use the animated gif to give you clues on how
to convert from any decimal number to binary.

Students complete the table without the aid of

Task 3
their fingers.

Students create a flowchart explaining how to

Task 4
calculate the conversion from decimal to binary.

My flowchart Students can create their flowchart digitally.

Students plan their Scratch binary game and play

Task 5
an example of what the game will be.

Students create a new project in Scratch and

Instructions 1 follow the steps presented in the instructions
tabs. Step 1 requires students to create variables.

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 2

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 Tabs Description

Step 2: Getting started with the game. Students

will add the first 2 starter blocks.
Instructions 2
Step 3: Students set up the question for the
game.

Step 4: Students create a loop.

Instructions 3
Step 5: Students start to code the calculations.

Step 6: Students continue coding the

Instructions 4
calculations.

Step 7: Students complete coding the

Instructions 5
calculations.

This tab provides a mini-break. Students check to

Checkpoint
see if their algorithms are correct.

Step 8: Students complete the missing code that

Instructions 6
allows for an answer.

Information Key concepts are addressed.

Definitions A list of useful words and their definitions.

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 3

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 Guided

15 minutes
Students should access the lesson via logging in to the c4k.io.
Present the student workspace so that it acts as a presentation, where
students can follow along.
Review the concept of binary numbers and why computers use binary.
Discuss the difference between decimal (base-10) and binary (base-2)
number systems.
What is binary?
Binary is a way of counting, just like the decimal system we use
every day. But while the decimal system is base-10 (using digits
0-9), binary is base-2, which only uses two digits: 0 and 1. Each
binary digit is called a "bit."
Why do computers use binary?
Computers are made up of billions of tiny switches called
transistors. Each transistor can either be on (represented by 1) or
off (represented by 0). This makes binary the perfect language for
computers to process and store information using only
combinations of 0s and 1s.
Comparing decimal and binary
In the decimal system, each place represents a power of 10 (like
10, 100, 1000). In binary, each place represents a power of 2 (like
2, 4, 8, 16). For example:
Decimal 5 is written in binary as 101 because it represents
1×4+0×2+1×1=51 \times 4 + 0 \times 2 + 1 \ times 1 = 51×4+0×2+1×1=5.
The following are explanations and additional discussion points for certain
tabs:
Task 1 - Explain to your students: Use your hands in a fun activity to
review how binary numbers work.
Hold up one hand in front of you.
Imagine each finger represents a power of 2, starting from the
thumb: Thumb = 1; Index finger = 2; Middle finger = 4; Ring finger =
8; Pinky finger = 16
Count in binary by raising or lowering fingers.
A raised finger means 1, and a lowered finger means 0. For
example: Raise only your thumb = 1 in binary (which is 1 in decimal)
or your index finger = 10 in binary (which is 2 in decimal).

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 4

Code4Kids | 2025
 Provide students with time to fill in the missing answers.
Task 2 - Students complete the task.
Optional: Go through the answers with your students.

60 minutes
The following are explanations and additional discussion points for certain
tabs:
Discussion - Read through the tab with your students. Provide time
for them to discuss the following:
Use the animated gif to give you clues on how to convert from any
decimal number to binary.
Task 3 - Students complete the table of conversions without the aid
of their fingers.
Task 4 - Students can create their flowchart digitally or on paper.
The flowchart should be an explanation of how to convert
decimals to binary using the tasks covered to assist them.
Task 5 - Students are directed to a Scratch Binary Conversion game.
They should answer the following questions:
What is the objective of your Scratch project?
Name the variables that you will create.
What loops or repetitions will you need?
Instructions 1-6 - Students create a new project in Scratch and follow
the steps presented in the various instruction tabs.
Step 1 requires students to create variables.
Step 2: Getting started with the game. Students will add the first 2
starter blocks.
Step 3: Students set up the question for the game.
Step 4: Students create a loop.
Step 5: Students start to code the calculations.
Step 6: Students continue coding the calculations.
Step 7: Students complete coding the calculations.
Step 8: Students complete the missing code that allows for an
answer.
Checkpoint - Students should check and debug their algorithms if
needed.

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 5

Code4Kids | 2025
 15 minutes
The following are explanations and additional discussion points for certain
tabs:
Information - Read through the key concepts that were addressed in
the lesson.
Students should pair-and-share their work.
Optional: Students can decorate their game.
Reflection
Review the importance of binary in computing and highlight the key
takeaways from the lesson. Praise students for their work and remind
them that binary is the foundation of all computer data.

Assessment

Progression can be tracked in the teacher recording sheet or via the teacher
dashboard online.

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 6

Code4Kids | 2025
 Student workspace memo

Task 1

Task 2

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 7

Code4Kids | 2025
 Task 3

Task 4
This is an example of what a student could come up with it.

Lesson Plan: Scratch: Converting decimals to binary 8

Code4Kids | 2025