Lesson Plan: Introduction to

Textual Programming
• Subject: Computer Science
• Topic: Introduction to Textual Programming
• Subtopic: Python and Variables
• Class: 8th
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Teacher: Muhammad Sikandar Dar
 Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• Identify key reasons why Python is a popular and useful programming
language.
• Define what a variable is and explain its purpose in a program.
• Create and assign a value to a variable using the assignment operator
(=).
• Utilize the input(), eval(), and print() functions to create an
interactive program.
• Trace the execution of code that updates variable values and predict
the final output.
• Differentiate between the roles of the assignment operator (=) and
mathematical equality.
 Slide 2: Why Python?
• Popular & Powerful: A leading language for modern tech
(AI, data science, web development).
• Simple & Readable: Code is often shorter and easier to
read than other languages.
• Free & Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux,
and is free to use.
• Real-World Use: Used by YouTube, in traffic systems, e-
commerce, and scientific research.
 Slide 3: What is a Variable?
• Definition: A named container that stores data in the
computer's memory.
• Analogy: A labeled box. The label is the variable name
(temp), and the contents are the value (38).
• Purpose: To hold data that can be used and changed
throughout a program.
 Slide 4: Creating Variables:
Assignment
• The equals sign = is the assignment operator.
• It assigns the value on the right to the variable name on
the left.
• Example:
• x = 3 (Read as: "Assign the value 3 to the variable x")
• name = "Ali" (Assign the text "Ali" to the variable name)
• You can create a variable by simply assigning a value to a
name.
 Slide 5: Using Variables: The Temperature Converter

• input() function: Pauses the program and gets text from the user.
• eval() function: Evaluates the input text as a Python number (e.g.,
converts "38" to 38).
• print() function: Displays output on the screen.
• Program Logic:
• temp = 0 (Create variable temp with initial value 0)
• temp = eval(input('Enter temperature: ')) (Get user input,
convert to number, store in temp)
• print(...) (Calculate Fahrenheit and print the result)
 Slide 6: Updating Variable
Values
• A variable's value can be changed as many times as
needed.
• The new value overwrites the old one.
• Example from Program #2:
• z = x + y (z becomes 7)
• z = z + 1 (The new value of z is its old value (7) + 1. So z
becomes 8).
• Key Concept: The right side of the = is calculated first,
then the result is assigned to the left side.
 Recapitulation
Let's quickly revise the key concepts:
• What is a variable? A named container that stores data in memory.
• What symbol is used to assign a value to a variable? The equals
sign =.
• What is the purpose of the eval() function
in eval(input(...))? To convert the user's text input into a number
that Python can calculate with.
• In the code z = z + 1, what happens? The program calculates the
value of z + 1 first, then takes that result and stores it back into the
variable z, overwriting its previous value.
• What is the output of print('Value of x: ', x)? It will print the
text "Value of x: " followed by the current value stored in the variable x.
 Assessment (True/False)
Instructions: Read each statement carefully. Write 'T' for True and 'F' for
False.
• Python code is generally longer and more complex than code in other languages
like Java.
• A variable's value cannot be changed once it is first assigned.
• The input() function is used to display output on the screen.
• In the statement x = y, the value of y is copied and assigned to x.
• The eval() function is used to convert a number into text.
• The print() function can display both text and the value of variables.
• The statement z = z + 1 is an invalid statement in Python.
• Python is a free programming language that can run on different operating
systems.
 Answer Key:
• F (Python code is known for being shorter and more readable)
• F (A variable's value can be updated many times)
• F (input() gets user input; print() displays output)
• T
• F (eval() converts text into a number)
• T
• F (It is a common and valid way to update a variable's value)
• T
 Homework
Task: Write two simple Python programs to practice using variables.
• Program 1: The Rectangle Calculator
Write a program that calculates the area and perimeter of a rectangle.
• Create two variables: length and width.
• Use input() and eval() to get values for these variables from the user.
• Calculate the area (area = length * width).
• Calculate the perimeter (perimeter = 2 * (length + width)).
• Use print() to display the results clearly. (e.g., "The area is: 20")
• Program 2: Variable Switcher
Write a program that switches the values stored in two variables.
• Initialize two variables: a = 10 and b = 20.
• Print their values. (Output: a is 10, b is 20)
• Write code to swap the values. (Hint: You will need a third, temporary variable).
• Example: temp = a, then a = b, then b = temp.
• Print the values again to show they have switched. (Output: a is 20, b is 10)