Debugging with Karel - Student Handout
🤔 WARM-UP: Question of the Day
"How are Python error messages like a GPS when you get lost?"
My thoughts:
Partner's idea:
📚 ACTIVITY 1: Error Types & Gestures
Learn the 5 Python Error Types:
| Error Type |
Gesture |
What It Means |
| 1. Syntax Error |
👏 Clap |
Code is "broken" - missing symbols, wrong punctuation |
| Notes: |
| 2. Indentation Error |
↔️ Step left/right |
Code is "misaligned" - wrong spacing at start of line |
| Notes: |
| 3. Name Error |
🤷 Point & shrug |
"Who's that?" - misspelled or undefined name |
| Notes: |
| 4. Index Error |
🙋 Reach too far |
"Out of bounds" - accessing something that doesn't exist |
| Notes: |
| 5. Logic Error |
🔄 Turn in circle |
"Going in circles" - code runs but does wrong thing |
| Notes: |
🦗 BUG SQUAD CHALLENGE - Team Scorecard
Track your team's points during the movement challenge!
R1: ___ R2: ___ R3: ___ R4: ___ R5: ___ R6: ___ R7: ___ R8: ___ R9: ___ R10: ___
TOTAL POINTS: _______ / 10
🎥 ACTIVITY 2: Video Notes
Video: "Debugging with Error Messages" (CodeHS 1.14)
Key Ideas from the Video:
Most Important Thing I Learned:
👥 ACTIVITY 3: Partnership Debugging Practice
Partner Name:
My Role: Code Reader Error Detective
CodeHS Exercise 1.14.3: Debug - The Two Towers
Errors we found and how we fixed them:
🔧 PARTNER DEBUGGING HANDOUT
Work with your partner to find and fix these buggy Karel codes!
Problem 1:
move(
turn_left()
move()
Error Type:
What's wrong?
Fixed Code:
Problem 2:
def build_tower():
move()
put_ball()
move()
Error Type:
What's wrong?
Fixed Code:
Problem 3:
for i in range(5):
move()
put_ball()
turn_left()
Error Type:
What's wrong?
Fixed Code:
💻 ACTIVITY 4: Independent Practice
CodeHS Exercise 1.14.7: Debug - Big Tower
Errors I found and how I fixed them:
My Debugging Strategy:
1. Read the error message carefully
2. Identify the error type
3. Locate the line number
4. Recall the gesture to remember the fix
5. Correct and test the code
🎫 EXIT TICKET: Debug - Random Hurdles
Complete on paper OR complete CodeHS Exercise 1.14.8 if time permits
Debug the code below. Karel should move forward, place a ball, and turn left.
def main():
move()
put_bal()
turn_left(
1. What error type(s) are in this code?
2. Explain what is wrong with the code:
3. Write the CORRECTED code below:
4. BONUS: Which gesture(s) would help you remember this fix?
💭 REFLECTION
What debugging strategy helped you most today?
On a scale of 1-5, how confident do you feel debugging Python errors?
☐ 1 (Not confident) ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 (Very confident)
