Foundations of Algorithms

• Identify foundations of algorithms accurately in a familiar context.

  Activities — Modelled example on the board · Paired talk task · Mini whiteboard check

  Assessment — Exit ticket of four short items

• Identify foundations of algorithms independently in an unfamiliar context.

  Activities — Independent worksheet · Card sort · Concept-check quiz

  Assessment — Marked worksheet with a marking scheme

• Explain foundations of algorithms accurately in a familiar context.

  Activities — Modelled example on the board · Paired talk task · Mini whiteboard check

  Assessment — Exit ticket of four short items

• Explain foundations of algorithms independently in an unfamiliar context.

  Activities — Independent worksheet · Card sort · Concept-check quiz

  Assessment — Marked worksheet with a marking scheme

• Explain the reasoning behind foundations of algorithms using correct vocabulary.

  Activities — Talk-through with a partner · Write a model answer · AI Tutor Socratic session

  Assessment — Extended written response, levelled

• Calculate foundations of algorithms accurately in a familiar context.

  Activities — Modelled example on the board · Paired talk task · Mini whiteboard check

  Assessment — Exit ticket of four short items

• Calculate foundations of algorithms independently in an unfamiliar context.

  Activities — Independent worksheet · Card sort · Concept-check quiz

  Assessment — Marked worksheet with a marking scheme

• Compare foundations of algorithms accurately in a familiar context.

  Activities — Modelled example on the board · Paired talk task · Mini whiteboard check

  Assessment — Exit ticket of four short items

• Compare foundations of algorithms independently in an unfamiliar context.

  Activities — Independent worksheet · Card sort · Concept-check quiz

  Assessment — Marked worksheet with a marking scheme

• Explain the reasoning behind foundations of algorithms using correct vocabulary.

  Activities — Talk-through with a partner · Write a model answer · AI Tutor Socratic session

  Assessment — Extended written response, levelled

Entry point — nothing in this branch is required first.

• Core Algorithms
• Applied Algorithms
• Algorithms in Assessment
• Computer Science Skills

Students treat foundations of algorithms as a rule to memorise rather than a relationship to understand.

Correction — Anchor the rule in a visual model first, then abstract it — the model is the explanation.

Learners apply the correct method to foundations of algorithms but ignore the context or units.

Correction — Require an answer sentence with units on every applied question.