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Computer Science Made Easy

Average Rating3.39
(based on 38 reviews)

I have a long history in teaching Computer Science at secondary level. Most of my resources are related to the Edexcel syllabus, but in CS computing is computing, and it is all much the same!. I like to teach programming in a way that the kids will really 'get' using things relevant in their lives, like Beyonce, and Adidas!

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I have a long history in teaching Computer Science at secondary level. Most of my resources are related to the Edexcel syllabus, but in CS computing is computing, and it is all much the same!. I like to teach programming in a way that the kids will really 'get' using things relevant in their lives, like Beyonce, and Adidas!
Beginners while loop plenaries / starters
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Beginners while loop plenaries / starters

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There are enough here to attach to a whole harm term of work (7 activities with solutions). The activities can either be used as a warm up starter, a recall to retain, or a plenary to check understanding. The activities are all different, and have things like spot the errors, true false, cloze sentences, amongst other things. Very engaging, and they bring real life situations to what can be quite a dry subject. I hope your learners are enthused with these activities as mine have been.
Three Python FOR loop lessons
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Three Python FOR loop lessons

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Delving into FOR loops as all exam boards seem to be keen on creating NEA which uses them extensively. These lessons include loops on string, on integer, in ranges, with 'else', and with some concatenation. All have learning objectives, but can be customised. There are ways of assessing by building from giving code to adapt, to giving the basics of a scenario to turn into variables, statements. There is a test at the end of the three lessons, and it also includes reading from text files, but that question can be deleted if you haven't yet covered that part of the syllabus. These lessons are highly engaging, and suit absolute beginners, up to confident users. They assume no knowledge of FOR loops at the start.
Engaging two or three week Python project for beginners / intermediate / competent users
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Engaging two or three week Python project for beginners / intermediate / competent users

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Fabulous presentation for a 2 or 3 week Python project. The idea is that they use IF to make a multiple choice quiz (code examples given). Learners are immediately engaged by following a flow chart, and describing what the diagram does. They then have to alter some pseudocode to come up with the first question for their quiz, using IF a,b,c,d etc. The coding ramps up with scoring, and using ELIF. More competent users are challenged to use a main menu, with sub routines so the end user can choose which quiz they would like to do. Then super human coders can learn how to read and write text files to record the leaderboard. To do this, they must look at the coding for Edexcel Fixture NEA from 2017 (please email me for the files if you don't have them (annemariebradshaw@Hotmail.com). There is also a link to a great independent learning site for Python skills. The presentation includes LO, outcomes, 2 extended learning (hwk) tasks, peer assessment with the focus given on a worksheet, and practice debugging with a sabotage task (which really gets them digging into the code in the most devious of ways :-). Fabulous differentiation got these lessons 'outstanding' on a LW and LO. Feedback from the kids was that they loved working at their own pace, and developing something personal to them. Great stuff!
Python SEVEN ten min starters / plenaries, short lessons
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Python SEVEN ten min starters / plenaries, short lessons

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There are 7 ten minute Python starters, or plenaries in this presentation. They include identifying code purpose, spotting errors, discussing efficiency of coding. The codes themselves are also useful for ideas of scripts learners can create, add to, or change. They include IF, sub routine, tuples, and other structures. The kids actually love solving the problems. All but one (open ended one) have the solutions on slide 2, to either share, or use as a mark scheme.
Edexcel NEA preparation for Analysis stage - 9-1
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Edexcel NEA preparation for Analysis stage - 9-1

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A thorough lesson to prepare year 10 or year 11 learners to tackle the Analysis stage of the NEA. The lesson takes learners through the art of abstracting from a larger problem. Breaking down a task into it's most basic form. They then have practice abstracting detail from two different scenarios. The lesson then moves to the reasons why we decompose, and the importance of making code as simple as possible, adding embellishments later when the bare bones are working. There is opportunity to practice decomposing either singularly, in pairs, or as group work. Possible solutions are given to peer assess, or can be taken out for teacher assessment. The lesson culminates in a test to decompose the first idea presented and abstracted, the Bake Off competition. Homework / extended learning is included, and encourages the learners to abstract and decompose the program controlling a household item.
networks
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networks

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This is half terms work on networks. It covers features, topologies, WANs, hardware, and security. There is also an assessment which can be used. All PowerPoints have learning objectives, and engaging tasks which can be tailored to suit your classes.
debugging scratch
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debugging scratch

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This resource explains the concept of debugging, and the types of errors that can occur. It has an accompanying worksheet and Scratch files to debug and write about. There are assessment questions at the end. This has been very engaging, and has been observed twice as an outstanding lesson.
computer science lesson starter word searches
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computer science lesson starter word searches

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Take all the misery out of creating engaging starters with these 7 word searches on key terms. There is one for each half term of lessons. They are printable, and cover terms such as: Logic, Algorithm, Assembly, Buffering, Boolean, Bus, Decryption, Debugging, Database, Hyperlink. Suitable for key stages 3 and 4, possibly 2.
24 computer science anagram starters
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24 computer science anagram starters

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Take all the work out of creating starters, or plenaries with these 24 anagrams of keywords. Simply copy and paste onto your lesson slide when you are covering that particular topic. An example is: Mittens fate - which of course is..................IF statement!
Edexcel for sample NEA 2017 File handling, subs, global in Python
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Edexcel for sample NEA 2017 File handling, subs, global in Python

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This is a half term's work on gaining skills for the new 9-1 Edexcel computer science course. Based upon the new Crawdale NEA, it focusses mainly on reading and writing to text files. It includes practice of splitting text files up, and concatenating to create memberID. Sub routines, and practice creating menus with IF statements is also brought in, but more as a practice, than explicitly as lessons. There is a test in week 6, and a mark scheme based on 9-1. Anyone wishing to use Crawdale NEA SAM material would find this a very useful learning tool to begin with. It has been aimed at high ability year 9, or low ability year 10.
GCSE ICT and Computer Science laws activity
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GCSE ICT and Computer Science laws activity

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One page description of the relevant laws pertaining to computer use (or misuse!). There is a card match activity with 30 different scenarios which the learners must match to the legislation (which is printable on another sheet). Great group activity which will get them discussing key terms such as DDOS. Also, things that are borderline illegal. My classes really engage with it. Great revision resource.
Year 11 last minute ICT revision for Edexcel
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Year 11 last minute ICT revision for Edexcel

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These 12 resources consist of folded revision sheets. The idea is that the question is one side, and the answer on the backside. They keep the sheet in their pocket, and fish it out regularly over the space of a few days, and focus on recalling the answers without looking (entering active learning, whereas reading, and copying are passive learning). This ensures the information moves from the short term memory into long term memory with recall. The second part of each resource is the same sheet with the answers removed. Learners fill this in during the lesson. Second bonus, instant check whether they are putting in some revision effort! I've used these for 5 years (updating each year obviously!) and have never got results less than 70% 3 levels of progress. The learners love them, and adapt the ideas to other lessons across the school. Much less wieldy than flash cards.