This builds a foundation for pseudocode and commenting. Students think through instructions and watch their "commands" play out in real time as the instructor makes a PB+J sandwich.

I use this activity at the beginning of my freshman/sophomore level computing course. It takes around 10 minutes, and helps to remind students how explicit you must be when using computer programming. The students direct the instructor on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Usually, they start out with instructions that are very vague (ie. open the bread), but start to understand that precision in commands is necessary.

Instructor supplies bread, knife, spoon, peanut butter (or sun butter for allergies), jelly, napkins, and plates.

I like this as an introduction to programming. I think it helps to be as entertaining as possible, so the students get excited about programming.