How would you explain what an algorithm is to a classroom full of Year 4 students (age 8,9)?

Question

I want you to try and explain complicated concepts as basically as possible.

Answer 1

Metaphors are powerful tools by which we try to come up with similarities of our past experiences. They help us to draw mental pictures of unknown or new concepts which we encounter them on a daily basis. I think the most impressionable experience for a kid in this age would be the concept of play. You could watch them while they are playing. The play, even in its simplest form follows a certain kind of steps to perform. Your goal can be finding the rules (algorithm) of that play and explain it to them in simple words which is familiar to them. In other word, talking about what they already know about that, increases the chance of your success to passing the message and assures you that at least they grasp the big picture.