In today’s computing lesson, our Year 5 pupils explored the world of algorithms and debugging through an engaging, hands-on approach. We began with a whole-class demonstration, where Mr Hayter attempted to make a jam sandwich by following instructions given by the children. This quickly highlighted an important idea in computing: computers (and teachers!) will follow instructions exactly as they are given, which led to some amusing but thought-provoking mistakes when instructions were unclear or incomplete.
Building on this, pupils worked in pairs to design their own simple constructions using just six Lego bricks. Once they had created their models, they were challenged to think like programmers by writing a clear set of step-by-step instructions 'an algorithm' explaining how to rebuild their structure. The focus was on precision, sequencing, and making sure each instruction was detailed enough for someone else to follow without confusion.
To deepen their understanding, pairs then swapped their algorithms with another group and attempted to follow the instructions to recreate the model. This is where the concept of debugging came to life, as pupils quickly discovered that even small errors or missing steps could lead to very different outcomes. They worked collaboratively to identify problems, improve instructions, and reflect on how their algorithms could be made clearer and more effective.
The children showed great enthusiasm and resilience as they refined their ideas, and it was wonderful to see them developing key computational thinking skills in such a practical way. Take a look at the photos to see our budding programmers in action!
