Lesson Plan

• Describe the purpose and benefits of using variables and constants in programs.
• Apply correct naming conventions and rules when creating identifiers.
• Declare, assign, and re‑assign variables in both static and dynamic languages.
• Define and use constants appropriately.
• Test and debug simple programs to ensure variables hold expected values.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Computer lab with IDE (e.g., Python, Java)
• Printed handout of naming rules and data types
• Sample code worksheets
• Whiteboard markers
• Exit ticket cards

Begin with a quick poll: “What would happen if we hard‑code every number in a program?” Connect to prior learning on data types and ask students to predict challenges. Explain that today’s success criteria are to correctly name, declare, and use both variables and constants in a short program.

1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on data types and previous variable use.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Why use variables? Review naming rules with slides and examples.
3. Guided practice (15'): Demonstrate declaring variables and constants in Python and Java; students replicate on their computers.
4. Pair activity (15'): Complete a worksheet to write pseudocode for a grade calculator, identifying variables and constants.
5. Common mistakes discussion (5'): Review checklist of typical errors and correct them as a class.
6. Exit ticket (5'): Each student writes one naming rule and one constant example.

Summarise how proper naming, declaration, and use of constants improve code readability and reliability. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign homework to create a short program that uses at least three variables and one constant.