KS3 Python Strings and Random: Year 9 Computing Unit (7 Lessons)

The last KS3 programming unit: text handling, random numbers and turning exam-style pseudocode into Python. Functions are left for Key Stage 4.

7 complete 55-minute lessons for Year 9, ready to teach.

The lessons

1. Welcome back: Year 8 retrieval quiz and a Python warm-up.
2. String handling: len(), upper(), lower() and indexing.
3. Slicing and joining strings: making usernames.
4. Random numbers and random choices.
5. Bug hunt: finding and fixing errors on paper.
6. From pseudocode to Python: exam-style tasks.
7. Build a guessing game (assessed).

What is included for every lesson

• A PowerPoint deck of 26 to 33 slides with speaker notes on every slide and click animations for reveals
• A 55-minute lesson plan with timings
• A printable worksheet
• An answer sheet

How it is taught

• A Do Now at the start of every lesson, to bring back earlier learning
• Hinge questions to check understanding before pupils move on
• Worked examples (I do, we do, you do), then pupil practice
• Unplugged games and mini-whiteboard activities. Each lesson mixes unplugged activities with hands-on work.
• Real photos and clear diagrams, with the photo credit on each deck
• A short exit ticket and a summary slide

Lesson 7 is an assessed guessing game using a loop, selection and random.

Slides are editable PowerPoint (.pptx). Each lesson plan fills a full 55-minute lesson, minute by minute.

British English throughout. Part of a complete KS3 Computer Science course for Years 7 to 9.