
Target Clear Game – Exploration of the Pre-Release Skeleton Program for Python
This resource includes a comprehensive lesson plan, starter activities, and exercises designed to enhance Python programming skills while exploring key computer science concepts. There are 4 lessons and finally a mock paper for sections ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ based upon the 2025 skeleton code - Paper 1. Included is the mark scheme.
The resource includes both a teacher (TV) presentation and also a learner (LV) presentation.
Investigate the code
Investigate the skeleton code’s display and random number generator functions.
Understand the procedural programming paradigm and its differences from object-oriented programming.
Explore curriculum links, including regular expressions, Reverse Polish Notation, linear and circular queues, linked lists, and stacks.
Resource Components:
Game Mechanics:
Generate a target number and a list of integers.
Allow user input for mathematical expressions.
Evaluate the expressions and calculate the difference from the target.
Use the eval() function for expression evaluation.
Code Investigation:
Analyze the skeleton code, including functions and procedures.
Complete hierarchy charts and add comments to explain code functionality.
Modify the code to enhance gameplay, such as allowing user-defined target numbers and implementing error handling.
Plenary Activities:
Answer questions related to the code structure, including the number of subroutines, the difference between functions and procedures, and the concept of operands.
Discuss the implementation of the Shunting Yard algorithm and its application in converting infix expressions to Reverse Polish Notation.
Advanced Concepts:
Explore linear and circular queues, and understand their benefits in programming.
Investigate regular expressions and their application in validating user input.
Classroom Use: This resource is ideal for teachers looking to engage students in practical programming exercises while reinforcing theoretical concepts. It can be used as a standalone lesson or integrated into a broader curriculum on Python programming and computer science principles.
Keywords:
Python programming, Countdown game, AQA Computer Science, procedural programming, Reverse Polish Notation, regular expressions, linear queues, circular queues, educational resource.
This resource is designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students, helping them develop their programming skills while exploring important computer science concepts.
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