The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a UK-based not for profit organisation. The micro:bit is an affordable pocket-sized computer designed for children's learning. 20 million
children are learning with the micro:bit worldwide with 4.5 million micro:bit devices in 60 countries.
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a UK-based not for profit organisation. The micro:bit is an affordable pocket-sized computer designed for children's learning. 20 million
children are learning with the micro:bit worldwide with 4.5 million micro:bit devices in 60 countries.
Unit of five Computing and Music lessons aimed at KS2 Year 5 in England (ages 9-10). Pupils compose musical phrases and write algorithms to play their phrases on pitched instruments (e.g. glockenspiels).
They then program the micro:bit to play their phrases when events are triggered and and experiment with using the accelerometer. Finally, they consider whether the micro:bit can be used as a music-making device, especially for those who might not have access to instruments.
The unit comprises five lessons of approximately 60 minutes each:
Unplugged lesson composing musical phrases
Programming musical phrases in MakeCode
Unplugged lesson on communicating with gestures
Making the micro:bit into a musical instrument
Modifying music programs, reviewing learning and evaluating micro:bit as an accessible musical instrument
.
Learning objectives
can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems
can evaluate and apply information technology
are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
.
Additional skills
Creative thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, evaluation, researching, presenting.
.
Resources provided
Lesson plans (Word)
Lesson slides (PowerPoint)
Student handouts
Sample micro:bit program files
.
England KS2 computing curriculum links
design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems
solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with … various forms of input and output
use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
.
England KS2 music curriculum links
play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, … playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression
improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music
listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory
.
Code.org CS Fundamentals links
Courses E, F
Concepts included:
algorithms & programs using conditionals
‘for’ loops