Lesson Plan

• Describe what an array is and list its key characteristics (fixed size, homogeneous, zero‑based indexing, random access).
• Explain how to declare and initialise arrays in Python, Java and C++.
• Demonstrate accessing, modifying, and iterating through array elements using indexes.
• Apply array operations (sum, max, average) to solve a typical IGCSE exam problem.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student laptops with a Java/Python IDE installed
• Printed handout summarising array syntax for three languages
• Worksheet with practice array problems
• Exit‑ticket slips

Begin with a quick scenario: “How would you store five test scores for a class?” Connect to prior knowledge of single variables and explain that arrays let us keep many values of the same type together. State that by the end of the lesson students will be able to write, use and iterate through arrays to solve exam‑style questions.

1. Do‑Now (5') – short quiz on variables and data types; collect responses.
2. Direct Instruction (10') – introduce arrays, key characteristics, and zero‑based indexing.
3. Demo (15') – show declaration/initialisation in Python, Java, C++; demonstrate reading and writing an element.
4. Guided Practice (15') – students complete a worksheet: fill an array, retrieve a specific element, and identify the last index.
5. Independent Coding Task (15') – write a program that reads five scores, then outputs the highest score and the average (exam style).
6. Exit Ticket (5') – write one sentence defining zero‑based indexing and why the last index is size‑1.

Recap the four steps of working with arrays: declare, initialise, access, and iterate. Collect exit tickets to check understanding of indexing. For homework, assign an additional problem requiring students to reverse an array and calculate the sum of its elements.