Lesson 1: What is an algorithm?
Understanding what an algorithm is by using a set of instructions to dress a doll.New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
Learning objective
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Success criteria
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
As this is the first programming unit in Key stage 1, there is no knowledge to recap with the children.
In EYFS (Reception), the children may have learnt:
Following and giving simple instructions is important in computing.
Instructions should be followed in the correct order.
To program a Bee-Bot with simple commands and to fix simple programming errors.
An algorithm is a set of clear and precise instructions.
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Head of Computing at Exeter Junior School, Siobhan Morgan has nine years of computing teaching experience as well as experience from her role of ‘Subject Genius for Computing’ on TES. Siobhán enjoys spending time with her family and searching for the Gruffalo in the woodland of Exmoor with her two boys. Her hobbies include playing computer games, re-reading the Harry Potter series and watching science fiction series’ including Black Mirror and Fringe.
Siobhan’s free lesson on Remixing HTML teaches pupils how to ‘Build A Burger’ through code. She has also created many other lesson plans and video demos within Computing.
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