Graph Paper Programming: Introducing algorithms to reproduce a picture

Graph paper programming is an unplugged activity to teach students how to write an algorithm (a set of instructions) using a set of predefined commands to reproduce a drawing.

Students provide each other with instructions to reproduce an existing picture by coloring in squares on graph paper. Thinking about the right commands to use and the order required to use them is a critical part of computational thinking.

• 150 pages
• Page Colour: White
• Cover Finish: Matte
• Softcover paperback

This notebook has a range of different sized drawing grids plus explanations and worksheet paper to write the commands. (4x4, 5x5, 6x5, 7x7). The notebook also includes several example images to practice on and some pixel art to code.

Perfect for the student coder as part of an unplugged project for the Hour of Code, teachers or parents interested in helping their children to understand the beginnings of coding.

Coding starts with design whether it’s a flowchart, algorithm, pseudocode, layout diagram, storyboard…. or just doodling.

As a basic beginner, graph paper programming is one method for learning the premise of algorithms, functions and parameters.