Using Grids

Unplugged coding grids are a common way to introduce computational thinking. You can place anything at all on the grid and ‘programmers’ give ‘bots’ instructions to move from one place to another to achieve the objective of the task.

This helps to develop algorithmic thinking - the programmer needs to give instructions in the correct sequence to achieve the task.

Learners might recognise a pattern in their algorithm or they might have to use their abstraction skills and decide what is important to think about and what is not.

If it is a complex grid they may need to decompose the problem first and look at the different parts they will need to think about in order to be successful.

Literacy
*students could retell a story by coding a character to travel around the grid in the order that a story happened. For younger students the teacher could provide the grid, older students might create their own. It is easier for younger learners to use a teddy or lego person to help them work out the directions needed.
Maths
*different representations of numbers can be placed around the grid. For younger students, these may be visual representations, for older students they might be numerical expressions. The programmer needs to code the bot to find all the representations of the same number

Inquiry
*a variety of words, images, phrases could be placed around the grid. The programmer needs to code the bot to collect all the ideas that are in some way related. They might then need to explain the connections they see. They could also then write a paragraph, using the words in the order they collected them, to explain their understanding of the subject matter.

Grid template

Where-are-you-now-Arrow-Cards-F12.pdf

Copy of Happy Maps Assessment

code.org Happy Maps activity - Full lesson plan

UTB - Red Riding Hood - CT PO1 [Shared]

Little Red Riding Hood - unplugged CT activity

Rock Pool maths

You could use Scratch Junior pieces or simply draw their own code. Substitute and numerals, images or words for the level learners are working at.

Computational Thinking Progress Outcome 1 + 2 - Butterfly Life Cycle [Using Technology Better]

Life cycle of a butterfly - the idea can be adapted for anything cyclic.

Blends Bingo

Blends Bingo - create a code to make a new word

If were a wizard - Junior writing

Based on the story 'If I were a Wizard' by Paul Hamilton but could be used independently.

Create a code then write about Hazel's adventures in the order of the code.

FuzzyFallHarvest-3.pdf

HowtoCodeaSandcastleAnUnpluggedCodingActivity.pdf

n2y_coding_activity.pdf

Shape grid

Look out for litter - Grid

Can be used with nzmaths - Gingerbread men activity

Coding-Unplugged-Cards.pdf

Create a code to pick up any given number of animal body parts.
Draw your new animal. What is it called. What can it do? Where does it live. Tell a story about it.

Brown-Bear-Brown-Bear-Algorithm-Activity.pdf

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