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Sharing Sweets Algorithms

Age: 5-7 years (can also be adapted)

Type: Unplugged

Curriculum Links to: Maths

The Sharing Sweets Algorithms has been rated 5 stars

RESOURCE OVERVIEW:

By teaching this short, unplugged activity your pupils will work out a simple algorithm, a set of instructions on how to share objects and so start to understand what algorithms are. Children will go on to share between different numbers of friends and then compare the similarities and differences between their algorithms. In doing this they are using pattern to create a general rule for sharing. Sharing presents an opportunity to start to learn about fractions like ½,⅓, ¼.

PUPIL OBJECTIVES:

  • I know what an algorithm is.
  • I can write an algorithm.
  • I can use an algorithm.
  • I can spot patterns in algorithms.

TEACHING ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Informal teacher assessment of pupils during main task and plenary. Focus on how pupils write their algorithms for the numerals and then program their Bee-Bot to follow this, debugging if required.
  • Assessment of pupils' algorithms photocopied from whiteboards. 

LESSON TIMING: 30 min

This lesson in your curriculum

England
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales

Computing

  • Understand what algorithms are


Maths

  • 5 – 6 years: recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of an object, shape or quantity; recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape or quantity
  • 6 – 7 years: recognise, find, name and write fractions 1/3, 1/4, 2/4 and ¾ of a length, shape, set of objects or quantity