Back to School Directional Coding | 7-11 Year Olds
About this resource
This Back to School Directional Coding is a great way to change up your back to school plans? Get children coding as a way to welcome them back to school!
This activity is an icebreaker with a twist.
Students have a board with 40 possible answers to 4 questions. Their job is to code the directions to each answer using the code board. Once done, they give their code to a friend and get them to follow it to find the answers and fill in the questions. It’s the perfect back to school directional coding activity.
Once done, they can code 4 different answers and give it to someone else, they can make it as difficult or easy as they want.
Extension:
Older students will be able to do the worksheet a few times before creating their own version in their books. Change up the questions and the answers and code their way around.
What this pack includes
– Teacher instructions
– Coding Worksheet
– Coding Worksheet Exemplar
Progress Outcomes Covered
We’ve designed this project to cover a large portion of the Digital Curriculum. Specifically looking at Progress Outcome 1 and 2 of Computational Thinking.
In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students use their decomposition skills to break down simple non-computerised tasks into precise, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions (algorithmic thinking). They give these instructions, identify any errors in them as they are followed, and correct them (simple debugging).
– Progress Outcome 1
In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students give, follow, and debug simple algorithms in computerised and non-computerised contexts. They use these algorithms to create simple programs involving outputs and sequencing (putting instructions one after the other) in age-appropriate programming environments.
– Progress Outcome 2
Students will be given opportunities to look at what an algorithm is, and how to use it to find the most efficient way of doing something. They will be able to test their algorithm and correct where they have gone wrong. This brings in the concept of debugging.
This project is the perfect way to introduce coding to children who have not been exposed to algorithmic concepts. Especially with early learners.
Assessing Your Students
Year 3
- Set 3.1: I can give precise instructions to solve a problem (Move one space to the left)
- Set 3.2: I can describe what I think will happen when I give an instruction
- Set 3.3: I can identify errors in my instructions
- Set 3.4: I can correct errors in my instructions
- Set 3.5: I understand that there are different ways of giving instructions
- Set 3.6: I can find multiple ways to solve a problem
- Set 3.7: I can predict where an object will be by following a set of instructions
Year 4
- Set 4.1: I can break down a problem down into a series of steps
- Set 4.2: I can use symbols to communicate my instructions (R, instead of right)
- Set 4.3: I can test instructions that include symbols and words.
- Set 4.4: I can identify problems (bugs) and fix them (debug)
- Set 4.5: I can write multiple sets of instructions for the same problem
- Set 4.6: I can choose the best instruction to solve a problem
Year 5
- Set 5.1: I can create a written algorithm using symbols and words
- Set 5.2: I can loop repeated instructions
- Set 5.3: I can put my algorithm in a programming environment
- Set 5.4: I can test my algorithm in a programming environment.
- Set 5.5: I can find a bugs and use a simple debugging strategy to fix them
- Set 5.6: I can add to the algorithm in my programming environment (sound, pictures)
- Set 5.7: I understand that computers need clear and precise instructions
Year 6
- Set 6.1: I can create a problem and solve it using an algorithm in a programming environment.
- Set 6.2: I can communicate my algorithm correctly when testing it
- Set 6.3: I can debug a variety of bugs in a programming environment.
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Terms of Use
Everything included in this resource is licensed for a single classroom or family use. It may be photocopied by the original purchaser for his or her classroom only. It may not be put on the internet, sold, or redistributed in any form. If you would like to share this product with your colleagues or friends, please honour the time and energy put into it by purchasing multiple licenses through the avenue you purchased it.
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