Instructor Notes — Week 2

Theme: Align & Group (Character Design)
Focus Concept: Placing and combining shapes accurately
Mini-Project: Simple Character

Learning Objectives

  • Use the align tool to centre and line up features.
  • Group shapes so that characters move as a single model.
  • Design a simple character token with clear, expressive features.

Session Flow (≈ 80 min)

Segment Time Focus
Recap & warm-up 10 Week 1 navigation; introduce characters
Tool demo 10 Align + group using eyes on a face
Guided build 25 Build a basic character step by step
Independent make 25 Personalise, add features and accessories
Share & tidy 10 Quick gallery, feedback and save

Part A — Recap & Tool Demo

  • Recap: orbit, pan, zoom and placing shapes.
  • Demonstrate:
    • Building a simple “face” plate.
    • Adding two “eyes” and using align to centre them horizontally.
    • Grouping the face and eyes so they move together.

Highlight that align is about accuracy, not guessing.

Part B — Guided Build: Simple Character

Suggested sequence:

  1. Create a main body shape (e.g. cylinder or box).
  2. Add features: eyes, mouth, optional arms/ears.
  3. Use align for eye placement or to centre features on the body.
  4. Group main parts so the character can be moved easily.

Encourage a limited palette of features first; extra detail can come later.

Part C — Independent Make & Extend

  • Learners extend their character: hats, badges, small tools, etc.
  • If time, some may create a second character to go with the first (e.g. friend, pet, sidekick).

Vocabulary for This Week

  • Align — line shapes up along edges or centres.
  • Group — join shapes into a single object.
  • Symmetry — when both sides of something look the same.

Instructor Tips

  • Show align slowly; it is easy for children to miss which arrows they clicked.
  • Encourage “simple but clear” characters — too many tiny details can be frustrating.
  • For learners who rush, challenge them to refine: “Can you make the eyes exactly level?”

Assessment & Reflection

Look for:

  • Use of align to position eyes or other features.
  • Grouped components that move together.
  • Characters that are readable from multiple angles (not just front-on).

Prompt: “If I rotate your character, does it still look good from the side?”

Common Misconceptions & Fixes

Misconception Clarification / Strategy
“I moved one eye, now they don’t match” Use undo and then use align again more carefully.
Confusing align with move Emphasise that align is about lining things up precisely.
Grouping everything too early Suggest grouping in stages (face, then body, etc.).

Differentiation

  • Beginners:
    • Provide a starting template (body shape already in place).
    • Focus on two or three well-placed features.
  • Confident learners:
    • Add accessories (e.g. backpack, tool, pet).
    • Create a pair or trio of characters that belong together.
Subject Connection
Computing Using tools precisely to create digital artefacts.
Maths Visual symmetry and spacing.
Art & Design Character design, expression and style.
PSHE Exploring identity, emotions and representation.

KS2 Curriculum Mapping

Strand Evidence in Session
Computing — Creating Media (3D) Designing and improving a 3D character.
D&T — Design Considering user and purpose (token, pawn, or avatar).
D&T — Make Selecting tools and combining components.
D&T — Evaluate Discussing clarity and expressiveness of designs.

Materials & Setup

  • Laptops / Chromebooks with internet and Tinkercad accounts.
  • Mouse per device.
  • Optional printed examples of simple characters for inspiration.

Safety & Safeguarding

  • Encourage appropriate, kind character themes.
  • Avoid designs that could be interpreted as unkind or targeting others.