Unplugged: Binary Numbers
Flip cards to discover how computers count with just ones and zeros.
Materials
6 materials1
Opening question slide
2
Slides
2
Countdown timer slide
3
Worksheet
3
Practice worksheet
4
Exit slip
Lesson plan
4 phases, 33 minGoal
Students can convert numbers between binary and decimal and explain how a computer stores numbers as bits.
1
Hook & warm-up
Spark curiosity with a quick prompt that connects unplugged: binary numbers to what students already know.
4 min
class
Opening question slide
2
Direct instruction
Introduce the core ideas with a guided walkthrough and clear worked examples.
11 min
class
Slides
Countdown timer slide
3
Guided practice
Students apply the concept in pairs or small groups while the teacher circulates and confers.
14 min
pair
Worksheet
Practice worksheet
4
Wrap-up & check
Consolidate the big idea and check understanding with a short exit ticket.
4 min
single
Exit slip
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Ratings & comments
Does anyone have a version of this that maps to the newer syllabus wording?
Glad it was useful. Let me know how the series goes.
Please do share the translation, that would help a lot of us.
It works fine without the lab kit — I demoed the tricky step at the front and the rest is paper-based.
This is now a staple in my unit. The progression from hook to wrap-up feels natural and easy to follow.
Sixty-five minutes matches my experience too. I now split it across two shorter periods.
A year down worked for me with the reading swapped for the summary version.
Ran it twice this term with very different groups and it held up both times. That is rare.
Same here — back-to-back is the way to go.
The extension is optional in the plan, but I mark it for the students who choose it.
Great structure. One question: is the extension task assessed, or purely optional?