Computer Science
Grade 1
20 min
Sharing Our Algorithms
Share and test algorithms created by classmates.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Explain that sharing an algorithm means giving instructions to someone else.
Give a short, sequenced algorithm to a partner verbally.
Draw pictures to represent the steps in an algorithm.
Follow a shared algorithm from a friend.
Identify a missing or out-of-order step in a simple algorithm.
Have you ever taught a friend how to play your favorite game? 🤔 You had to share the rules!
Today, we will learn how to share our secret instructions, or algorithms. This helps our friends and robots know exactly what to do. Let's become expert instruction givers! 💌
Real-World Applications
Sharing a recipe to bake cookies 🍪
Telling a friend how to build a LEGO car 🚗
Showing someone the moves to a fun dance 💃
Explaining the rules for hide-and-seek 🙈...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
AlgorithmA list of steps to finish a task. It's like a recipe! 📜To brush your teeth: 1. Get toothbrush. 2. Put on toothpaste. 3. Brush! ✨
ShareTo give your instructions to someone else so they can do it too. 🤝You tell your friend, 'First, clap your hands. Then, stomp your feet.' 👏
InstructionsThe single steps inside your algorithm. Each one tells you what to do. ➡️The instruction 'Pick up the red crayon' tells you one small action.
OrderPutting your steps in the right sequence, from first to last. 🔢You must put on your socks *before* you put on your shoes. That's the right order!
Clear StepsInstructions that are super easy for a friend or robot to understand. 👍Instead of 'Get the fruit,' a clear step is 'Get the yell...
3
Core Syntax & Patterns
The 'Draw It Out' Rule 🎨
Use pictures for each step.
When your friend can't read, you can share your algorithm with drawings. A picture of a foot, then a sock, then a shoe is a great algorithm!
The 'Act It Out' Rule 🤸
Show the steps with your body.
Sometimes the best way to share is to do the actions yourself. This is great for teaching a dance or how to wave hello.
The 'One Step at a Time' Rule 🐢
Say or show only one instruction at a time.
Don't give all the steps at once! A robot friend gets confused. Give one step, wait, then give the next one.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A robot tried to pour cereal with this algorithm: 1. Get a bowl. 2. Pour cereal in bowl. 3. Eat. The robot made a mess because it forgot the milk! What new step should you add to share a better algorithm?
A.Add step 4: 'Clean up the mess.'
B.Add step 1: 'Get a spoon.'
C.Add a new step 3: 'Pour milk in bowl.'
D.Add step 2: 'Open the cereal box.'
Challenging
Four friends share instructions to draw a house. Whose shared algorithm is the most helpful and clear for a robot?
- Mia: "Draw a square and a triangle."
- Leo: "First, draw a big square. Then, draw a big triangle on top of the square."
- Ava: "Draw a house. Make it pretty."
- Tom: "Get a crayon. Draw a shape."
A.Leo's, because it gives clear shapes and the right order.
B.Mia's, because it's short.
C.Ava's, because it says what to draw.
D.Tom's, because you need a crayon first.
Challenging
You successfully taught a friend how to make a tower by giving them steps in order. What is a good rule to remember for sharing ALL algorithms?
A.Algorithms should always have 3 steps.
B.You should always use blocks in algorithms.
C.The order of the steps and being clear is very important.
D.Sharing algorithms only works with friends, not robots.
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