Lesson Plan

• Describe why an assembler is required to translate assembly language into executable machine code.
• Explain the five main stages of the assembly process (lexical analysis, symbol‑table construction, opcode generation, address resolution, object‑code output).
• Identify the typical components of assembler output such as machine code, relocation records and optional symbol tables.
• Compare the role of an assembler with that of compilers and interpreters.
• Apply knowledge by tracing a simple assembly program to its corresponding object code.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Slide deck summarising assembler stages
• Printed handout of sample assembly source code
• Assembler software (e.g., NASM or a simulated 8‑bit assembler) on lab computers
• Worksheets for tracing code to object code
• Whiteboard markers

Start with a quick poll: how many students have written or seen assembly language before? Recall that computers only execute binary machine code, so a translation step is essential. Today we will explore why an assembler is needed, what it does, and you will be able to explain its stages and output by the end of the lesson.

1. Do‑now (5') – Students answer a short question on why binary is needed versus human‑readable code.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present the purpose and benefits of an assembler (readability, maintainability, portability, error detection).
3. Guided walkthrough (15') – Explain the five assembly stages using a flowchart and the sample 8‑bit program.
4. Hands‑on activity (15') – In pairs, students assemble the sample code with the assembler tool and compare the generated object code to the provided listing.
5. Comparison discussion (10') – Contrast assembler output with compiler and interpreter outputs using the provided table; students complete a Venn diagram.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Quick exit quiz (e.g., Kahoot or Google Form) on key concepts.

Summarise that an assembler bridges human‑friendly mnemonics and machine code through a defined multi‑stage process, producing an object file ready for linking. For the exit ticket, each student writes one stage of the assembler and its purpose. Homework: write a short assembly snippet for a hypothetical processor and predict the corresponding object code.