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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 2

Building blocks to create a sequence

I can create a program that uses event blocks.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 2

Building blocks to create a sequence

I can create a program that uses event blocks.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An algorithm is a set of instructions that can be turned into a program.
  2. Programs can start with the 'start on tap' event.
  3. Sequences of blocks must follow an algorithm to create a working program.
  4. The say block makes a sprite display text.

Keywords

  • Event - an input that triggers a block of commands to be run

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

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

Common misconception

When the background changes, the sprite will automatically know what to do next.

All of the actions need to be sequenced and tested properly so that the sprite's actions match the background changing.


To help you plan your year 2 computing lesson on: Building blocks to create a sequence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider software or websites that pupils use every day. Actions will be triggered from events such as clicking on a button. Ask pupils to identify all the actions that could trigger programming events to occur.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need access to a device with block-based programming software. Examples in this lesson use ScratchJr https://oak.link/scratch-jr

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is a sprite?

a type of background
Correct answer: an object that can be programmed
a button to start a program

Q2.
What do you call a list of instructions that a computer or person can follow?

Correct answer: an algorithm
a question
a sentence

Q3.
Which block makes a sprite say something?

block 1
block 2
Correct answer: block 3

Q4.
What is the outcome of a program?

Correct answer: the result
the beginning
the middle
Q3 image 1 Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratch.org. OR ScratchJr is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratchjr.org. OR Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 2 Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratch.org. OR ScratchJr is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratchjr.org. OR Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0 Q3 image 3 Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratch.org. OR ScratchJr is a project of the Scratch Foundation. It is available for free at https://scratchjr.org. OR Scratch Foundation under CC BY-SA 2.0

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is an event block?

a block that makes a sprite grow
a block that changes the background colour
Correct answer: a block that starts a program

Q2.
Which event block makes a program start when you tap on a sprite?

green flag
Correct answer: start on tap
start on bump

Q3.
How do you make the background change during a program?

by pressing the green flag
Correct answer: by using the change page block
by adding a new sprite

Q4.
What must you do before using the change page block?

Correct answer: add more than one background
tap on the green flag
draw your own background

Additional material

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