Bug in the Water Cycle

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

3, 4

Overview

In this activity, pupils are challenged to detect and correct the error in a number of water cycle programs (debugging). They use logical reasoning to do this, comparing what the program should do with what it does do, and systematically homing in on the error (bug) by ‘thinking through’ the code in the program.

PUPIL OBJECTIVES:
I can use logical reasoning to debug a program.
I can explain how I debugged a program.


TEACHING ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Informal teacher assessment of pupils as they tackle the debugging challenge: focus on pupils’ logical approach and ability to explain the bugs they found, why they are bugs and how they corrected them.
Summative assessment of pupils’ debugging challenge sheets.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.4

Examine logical reasoning to predict outcomes of an algorithm.

UP:DLCS18.3.4

Vocabulary

  • logical reasoning
  • outcome
  • algorithm

Knowledge

Students know:
  • to apply logical reasoning when predicting outcomes of algorithms.
  • strategies to examine logical reasoning to predict outcomes of an algorithm.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • determine possible outcomes of an algortihm.
  • recognize that an algorithm can have multiple outcomes.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • logical reasoning is necessary when predicting outcomes of an algorithm.
  • algorithms can have multiple outcomes.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.7

Test and debug a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.

UP:DLCS18.3.7

Vocabulary

  • test
  • debug
  • program
  • block-based visual programming environment
  • arithmetic operators
  • conditionals
  • repetition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • strategies for debugging a given program.
  • arithmetic operators create a single numerical solution from multiple oprations.
  • conditionals are "if, then" statements that direct the program.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • test a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.
  • debug a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a given program must be tested and debugged to run correctly.
  • block-based visual programming uses arithemetic operators, conditionals, and repetition to function.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 4

DLCS18.4.4

Detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.

UP:DLCS18.4.4

Vocabulary

  • detect
  • debug
  • logical
  • errors
  • algorithms

Knowledge

Students know:
  • strategies to detect logical errors in various basic algorithms.
  • strategies to debug or repair logical errors in various basic algorithms.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.

Understanding

Students understand:
  • how to detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.
  • strategies to detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.
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    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    Other

    License Type

    Custom

    Resource Provider other

    Barefoot Computing
    https://www.barefootcomputing.org/resources/bug-in-the-water-cycle

    Custom License Type (URL)

    https://www.barefootcomputing.org/terms-and-conditions

    Comments or Notes

    LESSON TIMING: 45 min

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    Approved Date

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