Unplugged Lesson

Beginner

40 mins

Teacher/Student led

+100 XP

What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Fold-a-Fish — Why Clear Steps Matter

Hey there! In this lesson, you'll explore how clear, ordered steps impact speed and accuracy by making origami fish. First, try folding without instructions, then follow precise steps, and finally compare both experiences to understand the difference.

Learning Goals Teacher Notes

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1 Introduction
2 undefined
3 Quick reflection
4 "Instructions" Attempt
5 Compare & reflect

1 - Introduction

Hello! In this lesson, you will guide your pupils through experiencing how a clear, ordered algorithm changes speed, accuracy, and results. They are going to be doing some Origami! One once on their own and again with instructions.

They compare a “no-instructions” attempt to a step-by-step attempt, then explain which they found easier and why.

Materials needed: Paper for each pupil.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

2 - undefined

Give each pupil a sheet of paper square.

Challenge: “Fold a fish—no peeking at examples.”

Start a visible timer for 5 minutes . No hints—let ambiguity happen!

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Quick reflection

Reflect on the task with your students and invite them to show their finished pieces.

Invite them to discuss how they found this process.

What was easy? What was tricky? How long did you spend deciding vs folding?

Collect 3–4 thoughts on the board (e.g., “didn’t know where to start,” “kept changing my plan”).

+10 XP

4 - "Instructions" Attempt

Hand out a second page to each student.

Project/read the exact steps below. Everyone follows precisely.

Simple Paper Fish — step-by-step (no cutting/glue):

Place the square like a diamond (point up).
Fold left point to right point to make a triangle; crease well. Keep the point facing right (this is the nose).
Fold the top corner of the triangle down to the long edge to make a small top fin; crease.
Fold the left (tail) point in toward the body by about a third; crease.
Fold a little of that tail back out (small triangle) to make a tail fin; crease.
Optional: Fold a thin strip along the bottom edge up for the belly; crease.
Press all creases once more so it holds its shape.

+10 XP

5 - Compare & reflect

Place Attempt 1 and Attempt 2 side-by-side.

Ask the students to compare the two finished products as well as the process of making the fish: How do they compare? Which was faster? Which would you choose if you had to make 10 fish? Why?

+10 XP

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Fold-a-Fish — Why Clear Steps Matter

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1 - Introduction

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2 - undefined

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3 - Quick reflection

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4 - "Instructions" Attempt

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5 - Compare & reflect

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