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Year 3

Using the pen tool in a program

I can adapt a program to a new context.

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New
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Year 3

Using the pen tool in a program

I can adapt a program to a new context.

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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A programming extension can be used to add features.
  2. Real world considerations should inform design choices.
  3. Specific blocks can be chosen to setup a program.

Keywords

  • Extension - an option that adds new features to a Scratch project

  • Setup - a part of a program where the starting instructions are given, such clearing the screen or setting a sprite’s position

Common misconception

The pen down block turns the pen function off.

The pen down block makes the pen draw and is required to make marks on the stage. Pen up allows the sprite to move without making marks on the stage.


To help you plan your year 3 computing lesson on: Using the pen tool in a program, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students will set up their projects so that they start in the same way every time they run. This setup process relates to the computing term ‘initialisation’. Initialisation is the process of setting starting values (variables) for a program, so that the program starts in the same way each time.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

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

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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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to its definition.
Correct Answer:sprite,a graphic object controlled by a program
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a graphic object controlled by a program

Correct Answer:algorithm,a precise set of steps to complete a task
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a precise set of steps to complete a task

Correct Answer:event,triggers a block of commands to run
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triggers a block of commands to run

Q2.
What does it mean to duplicate in programming?
Delete an object.
Correct answer: Copy an exact part of a project.
Change the background.
Move a sprite.
Q3.
Why would you want to adjust the size of a sprite?
to make it invisible
to delete it
to change its colour
Correct answer: to match the background
Q4.
What can you do to improve an existing project?
Ignore missing actions.
Delete all sprites.
Correct answer: Identify missing actions and events.
Q5.
What icon at the top of the stage is clicked to start a program in Scratch?
Correct Answer: flag, green flag
Q6.
When we are using a pen and paper, how can we make marks on the paper with the pen?
Move the pen and then put the tip of the pen onto the paper.
Lift the tip of the pen off the paper and move the pen.
Correct answer: Put the tip of the pen down onto the paper and move the pen.
Put the pen down and don’t touch it.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to the definition.
Correct Answer:extension,an option that adds new features to a Scratch project
tick

an option that adds new features to a Scratch project

Correct Answer:setup,a part of a program where the starting instructions are given
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a part of a program where the starting instructions are given

Q2.
What is an extension in Scratch?
Correct answer: an option that adds new blocks to a project
a program to create new sprites
a way to change the background
a special costume for a sprite
Q3.
What is the name of the Scratch extension used for drawing?
Correct Answer: pen, Pen
Q4.
Which block makes the sprite start drawing?
'pen up'
Correct answer: 'pen down'
pen erase all
Q5.
What happens when the 'erase all' block is triggered?
The pen stops drawing.
Correct answer: The drawing lines are all removed.
The sprite goes to the middle of the stage.
Q6.
Why is setup code important in a drawing program?
It makes the sprite change costumes.
Correct answer: It makes sure the program starts the same way every time.
It saves the drawing when the program closes.
It makes the sprite disappear.