New
New
Year 4

Using loops in a program

I can use count-controlled loops.

New
New
Year 4

Using loops in a program

I can use count-controlled loops.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Repetition can be seen in real-life examples.
  2. Count-controlled loops are used to repeat actions a set number of times.
  3. You can modify code snippets to create given results.

Keywords

  • Repeat - happen multiple times

  • Command - a single instruction that can be used in a program to control a computer

  • Count-controlled loop - a chunk of code that runs a section of the program a certain number of times

Common misconception

Changing the value in the repeat block changes the shape’s size.

The repeat block sets the number of sides (how many times the sprite moves and turns). The move x steps value controls the size.


To help you plan your year 4 computing lesson on: Using loops in a program, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

In Scratch, projects are initialised (set up) using the when green flag clicked block. It is good practice for this block not to be used for any other purpose.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the real-life repeating pattern to its example.
Correct Answer:brick wall,pattern of bricks

pattern of bricks

Correct Answer:zebra crossing,pattern of stripes

pattern of stripes

Correct Answer:honeycomb,pattern of hexagons

pattern of hexagons

Correct Answer:fence,pattern of panels

pattern of panels

Q2.
Match the Logo command to what it does.
Correct Answer:fd,moves the turtle forward

moves the turtle forward

Correct Answer:bk,moves backward

moves backward

Correct Answer:rt,turns right

turns right

Correct Answer:lt,turns left

turns left

Q3.
What does "fd 100" mean in Logo?
Correct answer: move forward 100 steps
turn right 100 degrees
move backward 100 steps
turn left 100 degrees
Q4.
What does the command
repeat 4 [fd 50 rt 90]
do in Logo?
It draws a circle.
It draws a straight line.
It draws a triangle.
Correct answer: It draws a square.
Q5.
What is the benefit of using loops in programs?
They make code longer.
Correct answer: They make instructions repeat easily.
They make the code slower.
They make shapes disappear.
Q6.
If you want to draw a pattern that repeats six times, what should you write?
repeat 3
repeat 4
repeat 5
Correct answer: repeat 6

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a count-controlled loop used for in Scratch?
to draw a background
to change the sprite’s colour
Correct answer: to repeat actions a set number of times
to play a sound
Q2.
Which block in Scratch repeats a set of commands a specific number of times?
forever
Correct answer: repeat
wait
say
Q3.
What actually changes when you increase the number in a repeat block while drawing a shape in Scratch?
the size of each side
Correct answer: the number of sides the shape has
the sprite’s colour
the background design
Q4.
If you want to draw a hexagon in Scratch using a repeat block, how many times should the loop repeat?
Correct Answer: 6, six, repeat 6
Q5.
Put these steps in order to draw a pentagon in Scratch.
1 - place the when green flag clicked block
2 - add a repeat 5 block
3 - inside that block, add move 50 steps
4 - under that block, add turn 72 degrees
Q6.
Match the term to its description.
Correct Answer:repetition,something happening multiple times

something happening multiple times

Correct Answer:command,a single instruction in a program

a single instruction in a program

Correct Answer:count-controlled loop,repeats a section of code a set number of times

repeats a section of code a set number of times

Correct Answer:sprite,a character or object in Scratch

a character or object in Scratch