Upper primary · about 9–12 classroom printable kit

Teacher instructions · Upper primary · 9–12 suggestion

Adult-led activity suggestions, not a tested or accredited curriculum. Preview one copy. Print player sheets per group; keep keys with adults. Use large paper pieces, not small loose counters.

Program a paper robot

3 per team · 12–18 minutes. Use the supplied exact map: start A1 facing north, goal E5, blocked B2 C2 D2 B4 C4 D4. Write up to 20 commands F/L/R before tracing. F moves one cell; L/R turn in place. Execute the entire locked program; stop on its first invalid move. Success requires ending at E5 after the whole program. Reset after an attempt, swap roles and discuss the trace.

Four-symbol grid

2–3 per team · 10–15 minutes. Fill blank cells with A B C D, using each exactly once in every row and column. Printed clues stay fixed. Agree a candidate and explain the row/column reason before writing. No separate 2×2-box rule applies. This classroom variant uses A–D; the original game may use 1–4. Check every row, then every column; accept any valid completion matching all clues, not only the host example.

Four queens without clashes

2 per pair · 10–15 minutes. Place four Q markers so no two share a row, column or diagonal. Columns A–D, rows 1–4 start at the bottom. After each placement compare it with every earlier marker; a diagonal has equal row and column distance. Stop when all six pairs pass the check. A failed arrangement can be revised; there is no elimination or race.

Describe a hidden shape grid

2 per pair · 10–15 minutes. Give only the describer the model. Agree coordinates A–C left to right and 1–3 bottom to top. Describer names shape and position without showing the model. Receiver may ask clarifying questions and draws in the blank grid. After three shapes compare model and drawing, discuss one clearer instruction, then swap roles with a fresh model. No drawing-quality score.

Printed labels identify player sheets and teacher keys; print only the relevant page ranges for each group. Activities may be completed seated, with an adult reading or moving pieces.

Player robot map and commands · one per team

Start A1 facing north. F=forward one, L/R=turn in place; max 20 commands. End E5 after the entire locked program.

Player four-symbol grid · one per team

Every row and column uses A B C D exactly once. Keep clues; no 2×2-box rule.

Player four-queen board · one per pair

Write or place four Q marks. No two in one row, column or diagonal. Row 1 at bottom. Compare all six pairs.

Player receiver grid · one per receiver

Only the describer sees the separate model. Ask about shape, row or column. Draw three shapes, then compare together without judging drawing skill.

Teacher robot key · separate

F F F F R F F F F. Start A1 north; four F reach A5, R faces east, four F reach E5. Nine commands; all crossed squares are open.

Teacher symbol-grid example · separate

One valid completion. Accept any completed grid matching the fixed clues with all four symbols once per row and column. No uniqueness claim.

For 30 pupils in ten teams of three, copy ten player grids, but only one teacher key. Rotate who proposes, writes and checks.

Teacher four-queen key · separate

B1 D2 A3 C4 is valid. C1 A2 D3 B4 also works. Check six pairs: same row, same column, or equal row and column distance means a conflict.

Use fifteen player boards for thirty pupils in pairs; teacher key stays covered.

Hidden model A · keep from receiver

Circle A1; square C1; triangle B3. Example: put a circle in the bottom-left cell. Turn the model face down before comparing.

For thirty pupils: fifteen copies of model A, fifteen of separate model B and thirty blank receiver grids for two role-swapped rounds. Keep the unused model hidden with the teacher. There is no speed or artistic-quality score.

Hidden model B · second round only

After swapping roles: circle C3, square A3, triangle B1. Give this page only to the new describer and a fresh blank grid to the receiver.