Worked example · Mathematics and Numeracy · Year 1

Guiding a robot sheep with arrow cards

DCF: Data and computational thinking → Problem-solving and modelling

What this is

A finished Year 1 activity page from a pupil working securely, with notes on what to look for. It is also the answer key. Answers: Task 1 the hay; Task 2 right, right, right, right, 4 squares; Task 3 the 3rd arrow is wrong and should point right (with the bug Seren ends in an empty square, 2 squares left of the pond); Task 4 next to, under, on; Task 5 the hay. Pupil answers are shown in blue.

What to look for

Following (Task 1): the pupil moves 1 square per arrow and does not skip or add moves. Pupils who circle the pond have usually moved 3 squares right, not 2.
Writing (Task 2): 4 arrows, all pointing right, and the boxes left over are empty. A pupil who draws 5 arrows has counted the start square; ask them to count the jumps, not the squares they touch.
Debugging (Task 3): the pupil tests the arrows, finds where Seren goes wrong and replaces only that arrow.
Position (Tasks 2, 4 and 5): the number of squares matches the arrows, and the position words match the pictures. This is the numeracy evidence.

Another correct route to the pond for early finishers: up, up, right, right, right.

Seren the robot sheep

Name: Date:

1Follow the arrows. Circle where Seren stops.

2Draw the arrows to take Seren to the gate. Count the squares.

3Bug hunt! Seren wants the pond. Circle the wrong arrow. Draw the right arrow.

4Where is Seren? Circle the word.

5Look at the farm. The pond is next to the ... Circle it.

Finished? Find a different way to the pond. Draw the arrows on the back.

Why this page is secure

Every arrow is followed in order, 1 square at a time.
The pupil’s own algorithm works when a partner tests it.
The bug is found by testing, and only the wrong arrow is changed.
The count of squares and the position words are accurate.