Learning objective
- To identify the computer architecture of the Mars Rovers.
Success criteria
- I can identify sensors.
- I can identify the difference
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National curriculum
Computing
Pupils should be taught to:
- Understand
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Cross-curricular links
Mathematics
Number – number
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Explain that the children will work with a partner to recall what they learnt about binary code. Display the Presentation: Fact tennis and arrange the children in pairs. Ask them to take turns sharing one fact at a time about how to strengthen a helmet shell. Give each child one minute to talk. Encourage them…
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Extended-mode explainer videos
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
- Could complete the Activity: Mars Rover (support) with part of the instruction sequence already provided to help them focus on identifying inputs, processing and outputs while navigating the rover.
Pupils working at greater depth
- Should complete the rover navigation without instruction icons by planning and sequencing their own commands, explaining how RAM limits the number of instructions stored.
- Could consider alternative sensors or outputs for a future rover design to apply their understanding of inputs and outputs in a new context.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying input, processing and output on
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Vocabulary definitions
-
byte
A group of 8 bits that can store one small piece of information, such as a letter, number, or symbol.
-
CPU
The Central Processing Unit is the part of a computer that acts like the brain, processing data and running programs.
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In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 19th December, 2025
Contributors
Lesson 5: Using binary – text
Using binary with the computer language ASCII to represent alphabet characters to create messages.
Assessment – Computing Y5: Mars Rover 1
Assessment quiz and Knowledge catcher for use at the start and/or end of the unit...
Lesson 2: Binary code
Learning that information collected by Mars Rover has to travel as ‘data’ and be translated...
Lesson 4: How computers store data using binary
Learning that computers use binary to carry out calculations. Performing their own addition binary calculations.
