KS3 Small Basic: Lesson 4 – Going Loopy! (FOR Loops, WHILE Loops & Randomness)

• A fully resourced, dyslexia-friendly KS3 Computer Science lesson introducing FOR loops, WHILE loops, iteration, and randomness in Small Basic.

• Includes a complete PowerPoint, worksheet, model answers and guided coding tasks using the FREE online Small Basic compiler—no installation required.

• Designed with dyslexia-friendly formatting: pastel backgrounds, accessible fonts, high-contrast code, and step-by-step scaffolding.

• Students learn:

  • How FOR loops work and how to count up or down
  • How the STEP value controls the pattern (+1, -2, etc.)
  • How WHILE loops work and how they differ from FOR loops
  • How Math.GetRandomNumber() creates unpredictable program behaviour
  • How logical operators like <> (NOT EQUAL TO) work in conditions

• Hands-on programming activities:

  • Run a starter program using Math.GetRandomNumber(6) and explain object, operation and parameter
  • Explore loop structure by identifying the iteration variable
  • Debug, modify and experiment with step values such as “-2”
  • Implement WHILE loops that run until a condition becomes false
  • Write code that counts down from 10 to 1 and displays “BLAST OFF!”
  • Build a counting game where the program counts down from a user’s number

• Challenge extension:

  • Convert the game into a WHILE loop so it repeats until the user types “EXIT”
  • Encourage deeper logical reasoning and independence in coding

• Assessment and evidence:

  • Students take screenshots of each task as proof of progress
  • Written explanation boxes check understanding of loops, logic, and iteration
  • Practical debugging tasks demonstrate mastery

• Lesson objectives:

  • Understand how FOR and WHILE loops work
  • Use iteration to repeat instructions efficiently
  • Explain how random numbers and logic affect program flow
  • Write increasingly complex programs using loops and conditions

• Perfect for KS3 Computing, coding clubs, cover lessons, and preparing students for Python WHILE loops, FOR loops and random module functions.

This high-quality lesson makes loops fun, visual, and accessible—ideal for building real programming confidence.