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Year 3

Program a sprite to move around a maze

I can create a program to move a sprite in four directions.

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New
New
Year 3

Program a sprite to move around a maze

I can create a program to move a sprite in four directions.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A program can be written to move a sprite in four directions.
  2. The size of a sprite may need to be adjusted depending on the background.
  3. Algorithms can be translated into code.
  4. Code can be adapted by duplicating and changing the values.

Keywords

  • Algorithm - a precise set of ordered steps which can be followed by a human or a computer to do a task

  • Sprite - a graphic object that can be controlled by a program

  • Duplicate - to copy an exact part of a coding project

Common misconception

The size of the sprite doesn't matter when programming movement.

Sprite size is important, especially in a maze, as if the sprite is too big it will touch the walls.


To help you plan your year 3 computing lesson on: Program a sprite to move around a maze, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You should be familiar with the process of resizing sprites in Scratch, which is covered within the lesson. Modelling this action using the same software that pupils will use will help develop understanding of what to do.
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equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils need access to either the online version of Scratch or the downloaded application.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which block is needed to make a sprite move when you press a key?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q2.
What is the purpose of an algorithm?
It makes a sprite look different.
Correct answer: It gives a precise set of ordered steps to follow.
It changes the background.
Q3.
What direction does a sprite move when it is set to 90 degrees in Scratch?
Correct answer: right
left
up
down
Q4.
What does the word resize mean?
Correct answer: to change the size
to change the colour
to change the language
Q5.
A is a graphic object that can be controlled by a program.
Correct Answer: sprite
Q6.
Which movement block will make a sprite move the furthest?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q1 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q1 image 2 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q6 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q6 image 2 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q6 image 3 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to the definitions.
Correct Answer:algorithm,ordered steps that a human or computer can follow to complete a task
tick

ordered steps that a human or computer can follow to complete a task

Correct Answer:sprite,a graphic object that can be controlled by a program
tick

a graphic object that can be controlled by a program

Correct Answer:duplicate,to copy an exact part of a coding project
tick

to copy an exact part of a coding project

Q2.
Why does the size of a sprite matter when programming movement in a maze game?
Bigger sprites move faster.
The size does not affect the movement at all.
Correct answer: If the sprite is too big, it might touch the walls.
Q3.
Which block should you use to change the direction a sprite is facing?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
What is the tool that can save time when you have to create similar code?
Correct Answer: duplicate, duplicat
Q5.
Which part of Scratch lets you change how the stage looks?
Correct Answer: backdrop, back drop
Q6.
Which code will let a sprite move down?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3 image 1 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 2 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 3 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q6 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en Q6 image 2 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q6 image 3 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0