Debugging program errors gives Grade 4 Computer Science students a clear reason to test, observe, correct, and test again. Finding and Fixing Program Errors uses a robot movement problem and a game scoring mistake to show how programmers compare what happened with what they expected. Students explain the cause of an error and how they would check a correction.

Two mistakes that reveal different problems

Mia’s robot hits a wall because its movement commands run in the wrong order. This example makes sequencing errors concrete: changing which command comes first changes the robot’s route. The game example introduces a logical error, where instructions run but award a point for missing a target. Together, these cases support simple program troubleshooting without requiring students to read complex code.

The lesson connects the vocabulary bug, debug, error, and troubleshoot with practical decisions. Learners consider the expected result, observe the actual result, and explain why retesting from the same starting place matters. Changing one thing at a time and keeping notes give them ways to connect a correction with its effect and communicate their findings.

What the resource includes

• The worksheet resource, Finding and Fixing Program Errors, develops programming fundamentals through reading, visual interpretation, and written reasoning.
• A separate Teacher Guide PDF provides Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Common Mistakes.

From vocabulary to a debugging explanation

A dialogue question, matching questions, and a cloze passage build vocabulary and connect instructions with their sequence. A diagram-labeling task adds visual interpretation. The reading passage supplies the robot and game examples, followed by multiple-choice questions, true-or-false statements, and short responses that check comprehension and distinguish sequencing errors from logical errors.

The extended response asks learners to explain how they would debug the scoring rule. They describe the intended outcome, testing and observation, the rule to correct, and how they would check and share their findings. This gives teachers evidence of reasoning beyond recognizing a definition.

Use it alongside an introductory coding lesson

Introduce the cases during a class discussion, assign the reading and practice for independent work, or use the written responses to review a programming unit. Students can compare explanations with a partner using the passage as evidence. The connected examples help teachers see whether a learner can identify a mistake, justify a correction, and explain why a program still needs testing afterward.