New
New
Year 3
Programming sprites
I can identify that commands have an outcome.
New
New
Year 3
Programming sprites
I can identify that commands have an outcome.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The motion code blocks add movement to a sprite.
- Multiple sprites can be controlled with separate movement commands.
- The stage provides a backdrop for sprites when they carry out commands.
- Random position motion blocks add unpredictability to commands.
Keywords
Motion - the movement of an object over time
Stage - the background of a project
Random - cannot be predicted
Common misconception
Some pupils may think that a code block applies to all the sprites in a project.
Multiple sprites can be controlled using separate commands and they each need their own code blocks to control them.
Pupils can often get confused between the sprite and stage and wonder why specific code blocks are not showing. Remind learners to select the component they are working on (either the sprite or stage) before they select the code blocks.
Teacher tip
Equipment
All pupils require access to devices that have or can access the online version of Scratch. Starter programs are linked to the lesson and can be remixed as required.
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.
Which icon would you press to add a sprite to a project?
Q2.
Which type of blocks are used to make a sprite move?
events
operators
looks
Q3.
Which code block would turn a sprite clockwise 15 degrees?
Q4.
The __________ of a sprite changes what it looks like.
motion
backdrop
Q5.
Pick all of the features of a sprite which can be changed.
backdrop
Q6.
In which section of the screen in Scratch can you see what your project looks like?
blocks
code area
Q1 image 1 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q1 image 2 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 2 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0
Exit quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.
Which of the blocks is a movement block?
Q2.
Which of these code blocks would move a sprite in a way that cannot be predicted?
Q3.
Which of these code blocks would make a sprite move slowly to a random position?
Q4.
Look at the Scratch project. If a movement block was added now, which sprite would move?
Dog
Penguin
Q1 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q1 image 2 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q1 image 3 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q2 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q2 image 2 Screenshot © Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q2 image 3 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 1 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 2 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q4 Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0