← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Switching screens with backdrops and show/hide

A Looks block that changes the stage picture. With show and hide blocks it gives a program several screens, like a start screen and a results screen, and hides sprites not needed.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 64

Understanding Switching screens with backdrops and show/hide in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: A green flag script that switches the backdrop to Start makes sure the player always sees the start screen first. The 'switch backdrop to' block is a Looks block that swaps the stage picture. Move blocks only change where a sprite is. Hiding sprites you no longer need keeps the next screen neat, so the Play button should be hidden after it is clicked. The hide block removes a sprite from view, for example a Start button once the game has begun.

Common mistakes: The Play button is needed on the start screen so the user can begin. It should be 'show Play Button', not hide. The start screen should be set up as soon as the program begins. The first block should be 'when green flag clicked'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Switching screens with backdrops and show/hide to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 61–74) and word search (Modules 41–74).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which block changes the picture on the stage so the program shows a new screen?
move 10 stepsswitch backdrop to
Matches
when green flag clicked switch backdrop to [Results] (the game should start on the start screen)
↓
The wrong backdrop is chosen. The game would begin on the Results screen instead of the Start screen.
Applying
Meanings
Term
switch backdrop to
Meaning
A Looks block that changes the stage picture. With show and hide blocks it gives a program several screens, like a start screen and a results screen, and hides sprites not needed.
Practice
when green flag clicked
Testing
Gaps
[Start Screen]
Check Answer
Spots
3hide Player
4hide Play Button

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Kraken' badge — Deep Sea Master, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which block changes the picture on the stage so the program shows a new screen?
A. switch backdrop to ✓
B. move 10 steps
The 'switch backdrop to' block is a Looks block that swaps the stage picture. Move blocks only change where a sprite is.
2. A game starts with a start screen. When the player clicks Play, what should happen to the Play button sprite?
A. Use the hide block so it disappears ✓
B. Leave it showing on every screen
Hiding sprites you no longer need keeps the next screen neat, so the Play button should be hidden after it is clicked.
3. Which script would show the results screen at the end of a quiz?
A. switch backdrop to Results ✓
B. when green flag clicked
'switch backdrop to Results' changes the stage picture. 'when green flag clicked' is an event block that starts a script, but it does not change the screen.
4. What does the show block do?
A. Changes the stage backdrop
B. Makes a hidden sprite appear on the stage ✓
Show makes a sprite visible again. Only 'switch backdrop to' changes the backdrop.
5. Where would you put 'switch backdrop to Start' so the player sees the start screen when the game begins?
A. At the very end of the results screen script only
B. Under 'when green flag clicked' ✓
Placing it under the green flag block means the start screen appears every time the program starts.

Match the Pairs

switch backdrop to [Results] → Changes the stage picture to the Results backdrop, so the player sees the results screen
hide → Makes a sprite disappear from the stage so it is not seen on the current screen
Show the start screen when the game begins by changing the stage picture → when green flag clicked switch backdrop to [Start]
Bring a sprite back onto the stage when the results screen appears → switch backdrop to [Results] show
when green flag clicked switch backdrop to [Results] (the game should start on the start screen) → The wrong backdrop is chosen. The game would begin on the Results screen instead of the Start screen.
switch backdrop to [Results] (the Start button sprite is still on the stage) → The Start button was never hidden, so it stays on the results screen where it is not needed.

Key Term

switch backdrop to
A Looks block that changes the stage picture. With show and hide blocks it gives a program several screens, like a start screen and a results screen, and hides sprites not needed.

Fill in the Blanks

1. when green flag clicked switch backdrop to [Start Screen] hide
Hint: Type the Looks block that changes the picture on the stage.
2. when green flag clicked switch backdrop to [Start Screen] show
Hint: Type the event block that starts the script when the project begins.
3. when this sprite clicked hide switch backdrop to [Game]
Hint: Type the block that makes the Play button vanish after it is clicked.
4. if <score = 10> then switch backdrop to [Results Screen] end
Hint: Type the word that names what changes on the stage.
5. when I receive [game over] switch backdrop to [Results Screen] show
Hint: Type the block that makes the Score Label sprite appear on the results screen.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A when green flag clicked
B switch backdrop to Start
C hide Player
D hide Play Button
Line D — The Play button is needed on the start screen so the user can begin. It should be 'show Play Button', not hide.
Question 2
A when this sprite clicked
B switch backdrop to Start
C hide Player
Line A — The start screen should be set up as soon as the program begins. The first block should be 'when green flag clicked'.
Question 3
A when green flag clicked
B switch backdrop to Results
C hide Ball
D show Score
Line A — The results screen should only appear when the game ends. The script should start with 'when I receive game over', not the green flag.
Question 4
A when green flag clicked
B hide Score
C switch costume to Start
Line C — Costumes change a sprite, not the stage picture. To change the screen, use 'switch backdrop to Start'.
Question 5
A when this sprite clicked
B hide Play Button
C switch backdrop to Start
D show Player
Line C — After the Play button is clicked the game should move on to the game screen. The backdrop should switch to Level 1, not stay on Start.

Student with a class code? Join your class →