Coding And Maths
Scratch maths: angles and turns
Use Scratch projects to turn sprites through 90, 180 and 360 degrees.
Quick answer
In Scratch, you can make sprites turn through angles like 90°, 180°, and 360° using the turn blocks. These turns help sprites move and change direction in your projects.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to make a sprite turn through 90°, 180°, and 360° using Scratch blocks, and understand how these angles help sprites move in your projects. Success signs:- You can use the turn right and turn left blocks in Scratch.
- You know that turning 90° makes a sprite face a new direction.
- You can make a sprite turn 360° to make a full circle.
- You can explain how turning helps sprites move in games or stories.
Why this matters
Angles and turns are important in Scratch because they help you make sprites move around the screen in fun and useful ways. Whether you're creating a game where a character walks around, or a story where a robot dances, understanding how to turn sprites helps your project come alive. In real life, turning is used in maps, sports, and even in building things. Knowing how to turn in Scratch helps you understand how turning works in the world around you.How it works
In Scratch, you can make sprites turn using the turn right and turn left blocks. These blocks work with degrees, which are the units we use to measure how far something turns. Here’s how it works:- Choose a sprite in your project.
- Go to the Events or Motion category in the block palette.
- Find the turn right or turn left block.
- Click on the block and type in how many degrees you want to turn (like 90° or 180°).
- Click the block to make your sprite turn.
Examples you can see
Let’s look at how turning works with some examples you can imagine or even try in Scratch. Example 1: Turning 90° Imagine a robot standing upright. If it turns 90° to the right, it will now be facing to the right. If it turns another 90° to the right, it will be facing down. Each 90° turn changes its direction. Example 2: Turning 180° If the robot turns 180°, it will face the opposite direction. If it was facing right, it will now face left. This is like turning around in a circle and facing the way you came from. Example 3: Turning 360° If the robot turns 360°, it will make a full circle and end up facing the same direction it started in. It’s like spinning around completely and coming back to where it began. Here’s how these turns look in Scratch:| Turn | What it does | How to do it in Scratch |
|---|---|---|
| 90° | Moves sprite to a new direction | Use turn right 90 or turn left 90 |
| 180° | Makes sprite turn around to face the opposite direction | Use turn right 180 or turn left 180 |
| 360° | Makes sprite spin around and return to its starting direction | Use turn right 360 or turn left 360 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Maze Runner You are a robot that needs to find its way out of a maze. Your job is to make the robot move and turn so it can get to the exit.- Start with the robot at the beginning of the maze.
- Make the robot turn 90° to the right to face a new direction.
- Move the robot forward a bit.
- Turn 180° to face the opposite direction.
- Move forward again.
- Turn 360° to spin around and see if there’s a new path.
- Try to get the robot to the exit using these turns!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to add degrees to the turn block.
Why it happens: The block needs a number to know how far to turn.
Fix: Always add a number like 90, 180, or 360 after the turn block. - Mistake: Using the wrong turn block.
Why it happens: Some children mix up "turn right" and "turn left".
Fix: Remember: right means clockwise, left means counterclockwise. - Mistake: Not using loops to make a sprite spin.
Why it happens: Children think they must type the same turn block many times.
Fix: Use a loop to repeat the turn block and make the sprite spin faster.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:- Playing with Scratch together and trying out different turns.
- Using real-life examples to explain angles, like turning a door or a pizza slice.
- Encouraging your child to create their own mini-adventures using turns.
- Helping them understand that turning 360° is like making a full circle.
- Not worrying if they make mistakes—turns are a fun way to learn!
- Ask them to make a sprite turn 90°, then 180°, then 360°.
- Ask them to explain what direction the sprite is facing after each turn.
- Encourage them to make a loop that makes a sprite spin around.
Practice questions
- What does a sprite do when it turns 90° to the right?
- How many degrees must a sprite turn to face the opposite direction?
- If a sprite turns 360°, what happens to its direction?
- Which Scratch block would you use to make a sprite turn left 180°?
- Can you make a sprite turn 360° in a loop? Why or why not?
- The sprite faces a new direction, 90° from where it started.
- A sprite must turn 180° to face the opposite direction.
- The sprite returns to its starting direction.
- You would use the turn left 180 block.
- Yes, you can use a loop to repeat the turn block and make the sprite spin.
FAQ
What is an angle in Scratch?
An angle in Scratch is how much a sprite turns, measured in degrees. Common angles are 90°, 180°, and 360°.
How do I make a sprite turn in Scratch?
You can use the turn right or turn left blocks in the Motion category and add the number of degrees you want to turn.
What is the difference between turning 90° and 180°?
Turning 90° changes the sprite’s direction to the side, while turning 180° makes it face the opposite direction.
Why do we use 360° to turn a sprite?
Turning 360° makes the sprite spin around completely and return to where it started, like a full circle.
Can I use angles in other coding projects?
Yes! Angles are used in many coding projects, especially in games and animations where sprites need to move and turn.