Session 1
Learning targets
I can follow a basic set of instructions
I know that an algorithm is a set of step by step instructions used to carry out a task, in a specific order
Unplugged activity
Talk about and show some examples of instructions
Explain and/or demonstrate why order is so important
Pretend you are a robot and ask the children to suggest the commands needed to ________________ (eg take something to the bin and return). Children could write these on a whiteboard
Do the same using one of the children as the robot
Explain that when commands to carry out a task are in the correct order, we call this an algorithm
Put the children in groups of 4-6
Give each group an orienteering card, a matching set of discs and something to write on and/or with
Children then set up their discs to match the cones
"How do you get from blue to red?" (teachers could suggest this or children could work independently)
Once an algorithm is suggested (and recorded) one child tests it out
Repeat for different questions like, "How do you get from green to yellow?"
To extend the activity, one child could be blindfolded and given commands to follow
Key questions
• Which cone did you have in mind?
• Did the ‘human Bee-Bot’ reach it?
• Did the ‘human Bee-Bot’ turn on the spot and not move in the direction of the turn?
• Did you remember to give clear instructions?
• Did you wait until you were told to ‘Go’?
• Did you direct your partner(s) to where you were meant to?