Year 3

Programming B - Events and actions in programs

This unit explores the links between events and actions, whilst consolidating prior learning relating to sequencing. Learners will begin by moving a sprite in four directions (up, down, left and right). They will then explore movement within the context of a maze, using design to choose an appropriately sized sprite. This unit also introduces programming extensions, through the use of pen blocks. Learners are given the opportunity to draw lines with sprites and change the size and colour of lines. The unit concludes with learners designing and coding their own maze tracing program.

AI Awareness Day

Students discovered where we use AI in our daily lives, how Gen AI is used in films and gaming and ways that AI is used to help our environment. Throughout the assembly, Louise highlighted lots of related technology careers which students could pursue in the future.

Lesson 1: Moving a Sprite

LO: To explain how a sprite moves in an existing project

I can explain the relationship between an event and an action
I can choose which keys to use for actions and explain my choices
I can identify a way to improve a program

In this lesson, learners investigated how characters can be moved using ‘events’. They analysed and improved an existing project, and then applied what they have learned to their own projects. They then extended their learning to control multiple sprites in the same project.

Lesson 2: Maze Movement LO: To create a program to move a sprite in four directions

I can choose a character for my project
I can choose a suitable size for a character in a maze
I can program movement

In this lesson, learners programmed a sprite to move in four directions: up, down, left, and right. They than began by choosing a sprite and sizing it to fit in with a given background. Learners then created the code to move the sprite in one direction before duplicating and modifying it to move in all four directions. Finally, they considered how their project could be extended to prove that their sprite has successfully navigated a maze.

Lesson 3: Drawing lines

LO: To adapt a program to a new context

I can use a programming extension
I can consider the real world when making design choices
I can choose blocks to set up my program

This lesson will introduce learners to extension blocks in Scratch using the Pen extension. Learners will use the pen down block to draw lines, building on the movement they created for their sprite in Lesson 2. Learners will then decide how to set up their project every time it is run.

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