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Full access Engineering and structuresArt and pattern

Repeat the pattern without rewriting it

Grade 3, computing without a computer: the pupil uses a 3D pen to draw a loop frame and three iteration tokens, then compares long and short versions of the same program on paper to distinguish the number of loop iterations from the total number of commands.

Age
8–10 years
Length
approx. 45 min
Level
Easy
Where you teach
School
Purpose
Educational
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. First token: Z1
  2. Second and third tokens
  3. Loop frame: first circuit
  4. Loop frame: second circuit
  5. Divider and end of pen work
  6. Long program: six commands
  7. Short program: frame, number and tokens
  8. Compare, record and tidy up
  9. Optional: number 2

What gets built

A loop frame with a number window and three iteration tokens; a program sheet with two equivalent versions of the same program and a correctly completed summary.

What it practises
  • Following a sequence of commands step by step, without skipping or anticipating.
  • Recognising a repeated pair of commands in a longer program.
  • Distinguishing the number of loop iterations from the total number of commands.
  • Calculating 3 lots of 2 as 6: multiplication as repeated addition.

Success criteria
  • You compare the results of both programs on your card and can say whether they produced the same arrangement.
  • The number entered in the window matches the number of tokens used to count iterations.
  • You complete the summary independently: the number of commands in the frame, the number of iterations and the number of executed commands altogether.
  • You choose how to complete the sentence about the shorter record and justify it using your execution.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
EDUstick 3D pen: 1 per pupil, Work mat, Pen power supply, Desktop

Files

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Version dbe91c05-2ff5-483f-b5db-52c0c13a79ac Updated 2026-10-16

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