Block coding lesson 7: Pen down, pen up
US version. US grades and US spelling. · UK version of this lesson
When the pen is down Myrtle draws a line as she moves. pen up lifts the pen, so it can move without drawing. A complete 35-minute block coding lesson (Grades 2–4), from Unit 3: Drawing with the pen. Myrtle the Turtle runs right here in your browser – nothing to install.
- Time
- 35 minutes + 15 min homework
- Grade
- Grades 2–4 (ages 7–10)
- You need
- A computer or tablet, squared paper and a pencil
- Graded
- Instantly, with explanations
For parents: how to use this lesson
You don't need to know anything about coding. The lesson explains each step on screen, the way Mr Babbage, our Head of Computing, likes it: watch Myrtle first, then have a go. Programs are made from blocks – no typing – and every answer is graded straight away.
- Before the screen: Draw a dotted line on paper, saying "pen down, move, pen up, move" as you go.
- Press Start the lesson below and watch the worked examples together. Press Run and say what each block does before Myrtle does it.
- Let your child do the practice on their own. When Myrtle goes the wrong way, that's a clue, not a failure – press Run again and watch which block it is on.
- Finish with the talk question: “When would you need pen up?”
- Later that day or the next day: the homework (15 minutes), then a practice test.
Watch out for
- Thinking pen up still draws. Pen up is like lifting a pencil off the paper.
- Thinking the pen turning draws something. Only moving draws. Turning just changes the direction.
Miss Lovelace's tip for home: ask your child to be Myrtle. Read out the blocks and let them walk it on the floor. If they can act it out, they understand it.
What your child will learn
Learning goal: use pen down and pen up.
Success looks like
- I can use pen down and pen up.
- I can draw lines with Myrtle.
- I can move without drawing.
Key words
pen down · pen up · line · draw
The big ideas (for the adult)
When the pen is down Myrtle draws a line as she moves. pen up lifts the pen, so it can move without drawing.
The picture is made of every line Myrtle draws, in any order.
A worked example
move forward 2 pen up move forward 3 pen down move forward 1
Press Start the lesson to watch the turtle run it.
The lesson, step by step
| Part | Time | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 5 min | Graded by Classfern |
| Teach | 8 min | Watch, talk and try |
| Worked example and try it | 7 min | Graded by Classfern |
| Practice | 10 min | Graded by Classfern |
| Wrap up | 5 min | Graded by Classfern + self-check |
The lesson
It runs here on the page. No sign-up and no names – progress is kept only in this browser. Each visit picks a new mix of questions.
Homework
15 minutes: 5 questions – work out what Myrtle does, then build or fix a program – and a short reflection. New questions every time, all graded instantly. Away from the screen: draw a dotted line on paper, saying "pen down, move, pen up, move" as you go.
Practice tests
- Block Coding: Drawing with the Pen Practice Test (Grades 2–4)12 questions · graded instantly
- Block Coding: Mixed Practice Test (Grades K–5)15 questions · graded instantly
All computer science practice tests · All 18 block coding lessons
Curriculum
CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards (2017), grades 3–5: 1B-AP-10 – Build programs with sequences, events, loops and conditionals; 1B-AP-11 – Break problems into smaller sub-problems.
The standard codes are CSTA's; the descriptions are our own words.
Our lessons, blocks and questions are our own. They are not written or endorsed by any government department, testing agency or exam board.