Hello! In this lesson, your pupils will turn everyday tasks into clear, step-by-step algorithms and prove that order matters. They’ll complete an arrow-box worksheet for a chosen task, then swap and have a partner follow the steps exactly—spotting where precise wording and sequence make the difference.

Materials needed: Arrow-box sequencing worksheet, pencils, scissors.

On the board, show the following scrambled steps for a familiar task (e.g., making toast: put bread in toaster; spread butter; plug in toaster; press lever; take out toast).

Ask the class to reorder them into a sensible sequence.

Highlight that in our last lesson, we learned about the importance of good instructions. But good instructions are no use if they are in a bad order! Today we will focus on sequencing our instructions and emphasising that strong algorithms use clear verbs and correct order.

To shift pupils from “good guesses” to precise writing, ask them to pretend their instructions will be followed by a robot that does only what’s written—nothing more, nothing less.

Get the students to imagine what could possibly go wrong if they gave the robot the following instruction for making toast: Put it in and turn it on.

Display your writing rules on the screen and keep them visible while pupils work. 

Rules for writing:

• One action per step. Vague: “Make toast.” → Clear: “Put one slice into the left toaster slot.”

• Start with a strong verb. plug, place, press, wait, remove, spread.

• Name objects and locations precisely. “lever on the right,” “butter knife,” “plate on the table.”

• Use numbers, sizes, and timing. “wait 60 seconds,” “spread 1 teaspoon,” “move 2 steps.”

• Finish with a clear end step. “Serve the toast on the plate.”

Print and distribute the arrow-box worksheet to each student in your class.

The worksheet has two sequences where the instructions are given but the order is incorrect and one where the sequence is missing any instructions at all. 

Give a fresh mini-sheet (or back of the worksheet). Pupils choose a new task and write 6 clear steps. Then they swap with a new partner who follows the steps exactly.

Suggested tasks:

• Draw a mystery monster (no pictures, words only)

• Organise the desk tray

• Build a 6-block tower (use pencils/erasers as “blocks”)

• Make a paper name tent

Encourage precise language (sizes, counts, positions). Quick share: “What step did your partner change and why?”