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Turtle Graphics

Ninth graders learn Python’s turtle graphics — commanding an on-screen “turtle” to move, turn, and draw. Combined with loops, a few commands can draw complex shapes and colorful patterns. They explore the commands, then code a shape.

Grade 9Turtle Graphics55 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Move & turn the turtle.
  • ✓Use loops for shapes.
  • ✓Use pen & color.
  • ✓Code a drawing.
Essential Question

How can a few simple commands draw complex shapes?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

Turtle Commands

Project this and tap each. Have students explore turtle graphics commands.

🐢 Explore turtle graphics — tap eachTry it

The Lesson · Explicit teaching

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — Drawing with Code

6 min

How could code draw a perfect square without you clicking?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pose the question.
  • Share ideas.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Turtle Graphics

13 min

Students learn.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Turtle Commands.
  • Tap each command.
  • Note loops draw shapes.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Draw It

14 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Move the turtle forward.
  • Turn it 90 degrees.
  • Loop it to make a square.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Move.
  • Turn.
  • Loop.
4

Create — Create

15 min

Students apply.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Code a shape with a loop.
  • Add color.
  • Use pen up to move.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Code.
  • Color.
  • Pen.
5

Reflect — Reflect

7 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What does forward() do?
  • How do you draw a square?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and the ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
3A-AP-16

Develop programs using libraries (turtle).

CSTA
3A-AP-14

Use loops to create patterns.

CSTA
3A-AP-17

Test and refine a program.

ISTE
5c

Create computational artifacts.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Command picture cards.
  • Frame: "forward() makes it ___."
  • Demo live drawing.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Use forward & right.
  • Draw one square.
  • Use a template.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Draw a polygon with a loop.
  • Make a colorful spiral.
  • Draw with nested loops.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🐢Command cards
  • 💻Turtle Commands
  • 💻Python + turtle
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

turtle graphicsdrawing with code commandsforwardmove the turtle aheadright / leftturn the turtlelooprepeat commandspenupmove without drawingpendowndraw againlibraryreusable code (like turtle)parametera value you pass, e.g. forward(100)
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What does forward(100) do?
Moves the turtle ahead, drawing a line.
QUESTION 2
How do you draw a square with a loop?
Repeat "forward then turn 90°" four times.
QUESTION 3
What does penup() do?
Lets the turtle move without drawing.

Reflect: turtle graphics.

Have students code a shape using a loop. A printable turtle command sheet is in the CS library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Turtle GraphicsFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Turtle GraphicsQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Turtle GraphicsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: forward, library, loop, parameter, pendown, penup, right / left, turtle graphics
  1. move without drawing
  2. draw again
  3. a value you pass, e.g. forward(100)
  4. turn the turtle
  5. drawing with code commands
  6. move the turtle ahead
  7. reusable code (like turtle)
  8. repeat commands

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does forward(100) do?
  2. How do you draw a square with a loop?
  3. What does penup() do?
Answer key — Part A: 1) penup · 2) pendown · 3) parameter · 4) right / left · 5) turtle graphics · 6) forward · 7) library · 8) loop
Part B: 1) Moves the turtle ahead, drawing a line. 2) Repeat "forward then turn 90°" four times. 3) Lets the turtle move without drawing.