Lecture 1 — Turtle Basics⌗

Instructor: Laksh Budhrani

Objective⌗

  1. Set up your project folder and Python file for Turtle.
  2. Understand the Turtle canvas and the turtle’s default direction.
  3. Draw your first simple shape using forward() and left().

Objective 1 — Project Setup⌗

1. Create your class folder⌗

  • Go to your Desktop.
  • Create a folder named: CSE_BlockX_2026

Replace BlockX with your class block (example: CSE_BlockB_2026).
This folder will store all your work for the entire year.

2. Open the folder in VS Code⌗

  • Open VS Code.
  • Click File → Open Folder.
  • Select your folder:
    CSE_BlockX_2026.

3. Create your Python file⌗

Inside VS Code:

  • Create a new file.
  • Name it: turtle_class1.py

This will be your file for Lecture 1.

4. Run your file⌗

We will run the file once we add the Turtle boilerplate code in the next section.

Objective 2 — Turtle Canvas & Angles (Anticlockwise System)⌗

Turtle Starting Position⌗

Below is the Turtle canvas using the anticlockwise angle system.
The turtle begins at the center of the screen at (0, 0) and faces 0°, which means to the right.

Turtle Canvas Anticlockwise

Key Points⌗

  • Turtle starts at (0, 0).
  • Default direction is 0° → Right.
  • Basic angles:
    • 0° → Right
    • 90° → Up
    • 180° → Left
    • 270° → Down
  • The graph helps you visualize how the turtle moves.

Objective 3 - Turtle Movement Basics⌗

1. forward(distance)⌗

Moves the turtle straight ahead in the direction it is currently facing.

Example:

p.forward(100)

Turtle Forward

2. left(angle)⌗

Turns the turtle anticlockwise by the given number of degrees.

Example:

p.forward(100)
p.left(90)
p.forward(100)

Turtle Left

Whiteboard Drawing Activity (Guided)⌗

Whiteboard Image⌗

Simple Turtle Whiteboard

Explain in Plain English⌗

Write a short explanation (3–5 sentences) describing how you will draw this whiteboard using only:

  • forward(distance)
  • left(angle)

Explain the steps in simple English, as if you are giving instructions to a friend.

Now Let’s Code It Together⌗

Use the Turtle boilerplate below and write your whiteboard‑drawing code inside the marked section.

import turtle as trtl

p = trtl.Turtle()
p.speed(0)

# --- ENTER YOUR CODE HERE ---
# (Write your whiteboard drawing steps using forward() and left())



# --------------------------------------------------------------
# (Stop writing code above this line)

wn = trtl.Screen()
wn.mainloop()

Notes⌗

  • The whiteboard is a rectangle using simple 90° turns.
  • The two supports are small rectangle drawn below the board.
  • Only forward() and left() will be used.

Independent Activity — Simple Flag Drawing⌗

Flag Image⌗

Simple Turtle Flag

Your Task⌗

Look at the flag image above and draw it independently using only:

  • forward(distance)
  • left(angle)

Use the Turtle boilerplate code provided earlier in this lecture.

Create Your Own File⌗

Create a new Python file in VS Code named:

turtle_class1_independent.py

Inside that file, use the boilerplate and write your flag‑drawing code in the section marked:

# --- ENTER YOUR CODE HERE ---

Submission Instructions⌗

Submit your work in Google Classroom by:

  1. Creating a Google Doc
  2. Pasting your code into the document
  3. Adding a screenshot of the output window showing your flag drawing
  4. Turn in the Google Doc to the assignment titled In‑Class Exercise 1