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!
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!
This is a full one hour lesson for basic skills in Scratch. It is suitable for year 5 up to year 8. There is an extension task included. The lesson builds upon the introductory aquarium lesson, but can be used as a standalone with a slide added to explain x and y co-ordinates. The learners loved how they could use this coding and create something personal to them (the first letter of their name).
This bundle was created due to a lack of Computer Science past papers. It contains two specimen Unit 1 papers. One follows the official specimen paper quite strictly, with scenarios, and numbers changed. The second words questions in a different way. Both have official type covers, marking criteria, format, and layout. They also have a mark scheme each. There is over 25 hours work here, so pick up a bargain, save yourself some time!
This has been a hugely successful unit, and my year 9 computer scientists have thoroughly enjoyed the competition, and team work. It has been based upon the theory of gamification, using game elements in the classroom. The learners need to have some python skills, but there are three levels of challenge in each lesson, and the idea is that they choose, and upgrade if they have time and knowledge. At its highest level, skills used are IF, looping, concatenation, tuples, global variables and subroutines. Learners get points for working code, and add an image to the game board. I did this with a display board in the classroom, and stuck the ‘prizes’ to the wall (there is an image). It is not essential to do that, but it does make it visually more appealing. Enjoy watching your learners race around helping one another and encouraging those who are weaker at coding to learn the more tricky aspects of coding.
An engaging resource whereby learners work at their own pace through 4 fairly simple challenges. They assume knowledge of lists, random, if, elif, concatenation. The answers are in there, so would need to be deleted by the class teacher. There is extension for each scenario. The pack also contains a test plan to introduce learners to formal testing of their scripts.
This is a whole half term of work relating to the questions appearing in the second Computer Science paper. The lessons are on
input, processing, output
selection statements
boundary testing
recognising constructs
trace tables
a test
The lessons guide the learner from easy to understand exercises, to GCSE level exercises. There is a learning question focus for each lesson, but in some cases the bronze silver and gold outcomes have been left blank for you to tailor to your classes.
There is enough work here for a half term.
Is a PowerPoint with revision notes on networks and network protocols. It contains link to a Kahoot. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the exam paper, mark scheme made purely of communication and network questions from past papers. I've deliberately left it image free, and just the content needed for the past papers.
An engaging resource which develops an understanding of manipulating lists in Python. There are two lessons here, first to introduce the topic and the second to consolidate learning. The answers are included as are extended learning tasks.
This PPT with exercises takes the learner through all of the concepts in the Programming Subset List 1. Data types. Input / Output. Maths operators, including modulus, exponent, Boolean, integer division. There are coding tasks, and enough work for around 3 or 4 hours of GCSE in preparation for the coding part of the exam. See also PLS2 if you like this resource!
A lesson which was described as ‘outstanding’ for it’s engagement of the youngsters. It covers personal data, legislation, big data, and breaches, surveillance issues, and the benefits of surveillance. There are two PPTS, one is teachers (with answers) and one for the learners. There are opportunities for discussion, research, short answer question, long answer question, and recall from previous T5 lessons. It has it all!
It can be difficult to think up new ideas for coding, and embedding skills. Have the benefit of my 10 years teaching coding with this resource. After you have taught the content of PLS 1 and 2, give the learners these 11 challenges to get their teeth into. I have included a teacher file with suitable answers for each. You could add to the learner file with more hints, or take away the hints I have given.
Skills tested that will prepare them for the coding examination:
IF, concatenation, iteration, tuples, constants, variables, write to file, sub routines, functions, global variables and much more.
I put together this pack aimed mainly at KS3, and as the Esafety Officer at my Academy. The pack includes lessons on hoaxes, keeping personal data safe, live streaming and reputation, gaming addiction, and bullies/ trolls. All have been made with regard to the new KCSIE recommendations. There is a powerpoint for each lesson, chance for discussion, and different tasks each lesson to embed the knowledge. These lessons have been delivered as a half term full unit, and have also been delivered in the PSHEE last year, as the last lesson before a half term, thereby lasting for one year.
Excellent resource that is very popular with GCSE students in Computer Science. Students are arranged into guild teams, then given 6 challenges (1 per lesson) They earn points for their team, and can choose from a simple, intermediate, or expert level of coding for the given task. Loops, random, subroutines, turtle, adding scores, and finally a TKInter project are all included. The students have so much fun, but be aware, they get very competitive! It is useful to mix high level with low level coders, as the high level will prompt low level on how to achieve the higher marks. This will last around 6 lessons.
This unit of work will easily fill a half term with teaching of:
inputs and outputs
Variables
IF statements
Delays
Sub routines
Iteration
Lists
All in the form of a memory game ‘you enter a cave, do you turn left or right?’
This is best suited to students who have a little knowledge of inputs outputs and IF, and can be used to expand upon that knowledge.
I cannot upload Py files, but if you email me annemariebradshaw@hotmail.com I will send teacher files to you (there are screen shots of the coding in the unit though)
These are five ideas using Python for those with a little existing knowledge. They could be used as teaching materials, for learners to copy, as debug exercises, or be presented as problems to be solved. They include a bubble sort, a Caesar cipher, rock paper scissors game, a ghost behind the door game, and an introduction to tkinter imported function
This resource will last around three lessons. It ties in error types such as syntax, and logic and relates them to what the learner will find in Python. It covers how to spot errors, what the common pop ups are, variable name errors, and the most common ones- casting errors, and the terrible indents. I have clearly gone through ‘belonging’ with indentation, and how to get a fix. Trace tables get a mention with one exam paper showing a for loop and a print statement outside of the loop. Many learners lost 6 marks for not understanding ‘belonging to the loop’. Well not anymore! There are a bank of Python files to go with this resource, but I cannot upload them here. If you email me annemariebradshaw@hotmail.com I can send those to you to.
This is a fresh way of teaching errors, and also a good way of embedding Python coding skills, meaning that in the assessment they will be able to help themselves debug their own code. There is