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Year 1

Controlling sprites

I can explain that each sprite has its own instructions.

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New
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Year 1

Controlling sprites

I can explain that each sprite has its own instructions.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Each sprite has its own programming area.
  2. Projects can have multiple sprites.
  3. Sprites can be added and deleted.
  4. An algorithm is a set of instructions, which can be turned into a program.

Keywords

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

  • Grow / shrink - command blocks that make a sprite bigger or smaller

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

Common misconception

All sprites share the same program so the commands should all be placed in the same place in the programming area.

Each sprite has its own programming area. Sprites have different programs and the commands for each one are separated to allow them to be followed independently.


To help you plan your year 1 computing lesson on: Controlling sprites, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Model how different pupils can be given different sets of instructions to be carried out at the same time. Draw out the anaology between pupils carrying out commands independently without having to know what other pupils are doing. This is the equivalent of giving sprites their own commands.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Children will need access to a tablet device with the ScratchJr app installed.

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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Starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
How can you delete a block from your program?
move it to the stage
tap it twice
Correct answer: move it to the blocks palette
Q2.
What is a value?
a number that is invisible
Correct answer: a number that can change
a number that is high
Q3.
How do you change the background?
by tapping on the background
Correct answer: by tapping on the background button
by tapping on the stage
Q4.
Why might you change the value on a command block?
to change the colour of the sprite
Correct answer: to change what the sprite does
to change the background

Exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Where do you find the grow and shrink blocks?
blue movement blocks
Correct answer: pink looks blocks
yellow trigger blocks
Q2.
What is special about each sprite’s programming area?
Correct answer: Each sprite has its own program.
All sprites share the same program.
Only Tic has a programming area.
Q3.
What can an algorithm help you do?
Correct answer: Plan your program step by step.
Make a sprite bigger.
Delete a program.
Q4.
Why would you add more than one sprite to a project?
Correct answer: to make the program more interesting
to make the program run faster
to make the program louder

Additional material

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