Robot routes

Pupils give a robot clear instructions to reach a target, predict where it will go, and find and fix mistakes. 45 to 50 minutes. You need one Chromebook per pair and a clear space for the starter.

Lesson plan

1. 10 min
   Starter: be the robotUnplugged. The class guides a pupil "robot" to a target using only four commands.
2. 8 min
   Teach: commands and predictingMeet the four commands, then predict where the robot will stop before revealing.
3. 17 min
   Practise in pairs: Robot routesBuilder and Predictor roles, swapping after each challenge. Five challenges.
4. 5 min
   Fix the bugWhole-class debugging example, then fast finishers move to Fix the bug mode.
5. 5–10 min
   PlenaryReplay a pupil's program from this dashboard and debug it together.

National curriculum, Key Stage 1

• Understand what algorithms are and that programs follow precise instructions
• Create and debug simple programs
• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Key vocabulary

• algorithm
• instruction
• command
• program
• predict
• debug