Pupils who can read code write better code. In this complete 60-minute lesson, pupils learn to trace Python programs line by line, predict exactly what they print, and find and fix bugs. No Python installation is needed: the drill runs in any web browser.
Lesson outline (60 minutes)
- Do now: predict the output of a three-line program
- How Python reads a program: top to bottom, = stores a value, text vs numbers
- Trace tables, modelled step by step
- Three kinds of error: syntax, runtime and logic
- Spot-the-bug and predict-the-output questions, with answers that stay hidden until you click
- The four most common beginner misconceptions
- 18 minutes of practice on the self-marking drill
- Exit ticket: a while loop
What’s included
- slides.html: 12 slides with syntax-highlighted code. Click or press → to reveal each answer.
- slides.pdf: the same slides as a PDF
- lesson-plan.pdf: objectives, curriculum link, key vocabulary, a minute-by-minute plan with what to say, answers and misconceptions
- drill.html: 12 questions. Pupils type the exact output or click the line with the bug. Covers strings, variables, if/else, for loops with range, while loops, // and %, and syntax, runtime and logic errors.
- worksheet.pdf: a paper version of the drill with an answer page
- how-to-use.pdf: opening the files, showing them on the board and sharing with pupils
Every answer is checked by running real Python. The drill also explains each pupil’s specific mistake. A pupil who says “4” + “2” gives 6 is told that quotes make text, so + joins the two strings. A pupil who thinks range(3) gives 1, 2, 3 is told that range starts at 0.
No logins, no installs and no pupil data. Ideal for non-specialists, cover lessons, and the step between block coding and writing Python.
National Curriculum KS3: use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems.
Buying for your department? The school licence covers every teacher in your school.
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£5.00