X Tables
Scratch Maths

Where is angles hiding in Scratch angle racers?

Turn sprites by 45, 90 and 180 degrees to understand rotations.

Quick answer

In Scratch angle racers, angles are hiding in the turns sprites make when moving around the track. You can see angles by turning sprites by 45, 90, and 180 degrees to control how they move.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use angles to turn sprites in Scratch and how turning by 45, 90, and 180 degrees helps make your racer go in different directions. Success signs:
  • You can turn a sprite by 45 degrees and explain what it does.
  • You can turn a sprite by 90 degrees and explain what it does.
  • You can turn a sprite by 180 degrees and explain what it does.
  • You can make a racer turn and move in a new direction using angles.

Why this matters

Understanding angles helps you make your sprites move in fun and interesting ways in Scratch. Angles are used in real life too – like when you turn a steering wheel, when you walk in a circle, or when you fold paper. In Scratch, turning by angles helps you make your racers go faster, turn sharper, or change directions more smoothly.

How it works

In Scratch, you can make a sprite turn by using the turn command. You tell the sprite how many degrees to turn. The degrees you choose change the direction the sprite moves. Here’s how it works:
  1. Start with a sprite that can move.
  2. Use the turn command to make it turn by a number of degrees.
  3. Try turning by 45, 90, or 180 degrees and see how the sprite moves.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are racing a car in Scratch. You want your car to turn left or right. You can do this by telling your car to turn by a certain number of degrees. Example 1: Turning by 45 degrees If you tell your car to turn left by 45 degrees, it will turn a little bit to the left. It’s like taking a small step in a new direction. Example 2: Turning by 90 degrees If you tell your car to turn left by 90 degrees, it will turn a quarter of the way around. It will be facing a completely new direction – like going from going North to going West. Example 3: Turning by 180 degrees If you tell your car to turn by 180 degrees, it will turn around completely. It will be going in the exact opposite direction. It’s like turning around to face the way you came. You can use these turns to make your racer go in a zigzag, a circle, or any path you like.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Angle Racer Challenge You are a race car designer in Scratch. Your job is to make a racer that can turn and go around a track. You have three challenges:
  1. Challenge 1: Make your racer turn left by 45 degrees and then move forward.
  2. Challenge 2: Make your racer turn right by 90 degrees and then move forward.
  3. Challenge 3: Make your racer turn around by 180 degrees and then move forward.
Try these challenges in your Scratch project and see how the racer changes direction. Each turn should be different – one small, one medium, and one full turn.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that turning 90 degrees is the same as turning 180 degrees.
    Why it happens: Confusing the size of the turn.
    Fix: Remember that 90 degrees is a quarter turn and 180 degrees is a half turn. You can use your hands to show the difference – hold your arms out and turn them to see the difference.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add "degrees" after the number when telling the sprite to turn.
    Why it happens: Not reading the instructions carefully.
    Fix: Always say "turn left by 45 degrees" or "turn right by 90 degrees" – don’t forget the word "degrees".
  • Mistake: Not seeing the effect of the turn because the sprite moves too fast.
    Why it happens: The sprite moves so quickly that you can’t see the turn.
    Fix: Add a small wait time after the turn, like "wait 1 second" so you can see what happens.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Encouraging children to try different angles and see how the sprite moves.
  • Using everyday examples like turning a steering wheel or walking in a circle to explain angles.
  • Helping children make their own Scratch racers and experimenting with turns.
  • Practising turning by 45, 90, and 180 degrees with hands or a protractor to build understanding.
  • Not worrying if the child makes mistakes – it's part of learning!

Practice questions

  1. What happens when you tell a sprite to turn left by 45 degrees?
  2. What happens when you tell a sprite to turn right by 90 degrees?
  3. What happens when you tell a sprite to turn by 180 degrees?
  4. Which turn is the biggest: 45, 90, or 180 degrees?
  5. Can you name one real-life example where you see angles being used?
Answers:
  1. The sprite turns a little to the left.
  2. The sprite turns a quarter of the way around to the right.
  3. The sprite turns around completely and faces the opposite direction.
  4. 180 degrees is the biggest turn.
  5. Examples: turning a steering wheel, folding a paper airplane, or walking in a circle.

FAQ

What is an angle?

An angle is the space between two lines that meet at a point. In Scratch, angles are used to tell sprites how to turn.

How do I make a sprite turn in Scratch?

You use the "turn" command in Scratch. You tell the sprite how many degrees to turn, like "turn left by 90 degrees".

Why do we use 45, 90, and 180 degrees?

These are common angles that help make clear turns. 45 is a small turn, 90 is a quarter turn, and 180 is a half turn. They help make your racer move in interesting ways.

Can I use other angles in Scratch?

Yes! You can use any number of degrees, but 45, 90, and 180 are good starting points to understand how turning works.

How can I practice angles at home?

You can practice by turning your hands, using a protractor, or even walking in different directions. Try turning your body by 45, 90, and 180 degrees and see how it feels.