This PowerPoint illustrates the fairly well known "Stroop Effect". Slides show color-words written in different colors and the task is to first read the word, and then to say the color. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practicing teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY "classroom-tested" - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximize their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Search words: starters, challenge, brain, stimulate, problem, mental, thinking, abstract

This set of varied worksheets provides a comprehensive set of fun exercises to give pupils practice with the alphabet. For children who are already totally familiar with the alphabet, the exercises will provide a great challenge to test their knowledge. For children in need of further consolidation, the exercises will improve their grasp through repetitive exposure to the alphabet in a variety of fun ways. My experience is that children love these exercises in the same way as they love crosswords or Sudoku - they are focused, self-contained and personally challenging.

Click here for a full listing of all my Scratch Projects In this project, waves of cloned alien spacecraft appear at any edge of the screen and attack the base. The player must defend their base as long as possible and destroy the aliens. Enhancements allow, for example, attack craft to appear when energy levels reach a threshold. There are many sites offering Scratch Projects. However, many tend to be like recipes - students almost mechanically enter code and create “delicious cakes”, without learning a lot about Scratch. My goal is to get students to create a fun project, and at the same time learn how the instructions work and fit together. I use the following approach: - break the project into manageable chunks - present “pseudo-code” for each chunk - provide the Scratch commands to implement the pseudo-code, but jumbled up In this way, students learn about pseudo-code (an important part of coding), and have to understand the Scratch instructions in order to sequence them correctly to match the pseudo-code. The lessons comprise: 1. a PowerPoint with instructions 2. a Word document with the instruction slides printed 2 to a page as a handout 3. accompanying Scratch files for teachers that match each stage of the project ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested”, and continually updated. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so please provide constructive feedback.

Fractions - love them or hate them, they're part of life!! This resource uses the Tangram shapes to explore fractions and equivalence in a fun (yes!) and visual way. It can be used an an exploratory introduction to your fractions module. Included is a Word document with 5 pages of investigations, an answer grid, a PowerPoint with various resources for you to adapt, and a downloaded youtube video ("A Sage's Journey The Story of Tangrams").

Note that this project is for PowerPoint 2016 Students regularly create presentations using PowerPoint but all too often, have not been shown some of the key features. This pack of 4, one-hour lessons covers: Launching PowerPoint and the Opening Screen Design Themes and Variants Inserting and manipulating items (text, wordart, pictures) Animations Transitions Hyperlinks The final lesson brings it all together, asking students to create a short presentation using all that they have learnt. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James

** Updated for Scratch version 3.** Click here for a full listing of all my Scratch Projects In this project, students use the mouse to move a target across the screen to shoot ghosts. The coding makes it easy to add any number of ghosts, varying their size and speed, There are so many really great sites offering Scratch Project ideas. However, many tend to be like recipes - follow the instructions and you’ll create a cake. The problem I find is that the students almost mechanically enter code and create “delicious cakes”, but without learning an awful lot about Scratch. My goal is to get students to create a fun project, whilst at the same time learn how the instructions work and fit together. To this end, I use the following approach: break the project down into manageable chunks present students with an algorithm for each chunk provide students with the instructions for each algorithm, but jumbled up In this way, students learn about algorithms (a VERY important part of coding), and have to understand the instructions in order to sequence them to correctly match the algorithm. The lessons comprise: a PowerPoint with introductory slides, together with the project instructions a Word document with the PowerPoint instruction slides printed 2 to a page as a handout for students to follow accompanying fully-working Scratch project files for teachers that match each chunk of the project Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practicing teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: scratch, computer, programming, coding, algorithm

“The low-level software that supports a computer’s basic functions, such as scheduling tasks and controlling peripherals.” (dictionary definition) So, what is an Operating System - our computers, tablets, smartphones, etc all need one, but what do they actually do? Most adults have no idea! The course is delivered in 4 x 60-minute lessons, using stimulating, animated PowerPoint presentations with painstakingly selected, embedded videos, and includes worksheets to accompany the lessons and a Kahoot quiz. This series, for absolute beginners, looks at how computers worked before the Operating System the role of the Operating System managing things and user interfaces examples of Operating Systems Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James

Vector graphics are computer graphics images that are defined in terms of points connected by lines and curves to form polygons and other shapes. (wikipedia) Inkscape is free, professional quality, vector graphics software. Note, for Inkscape v0.91 go to this project. Computing is about so much more than just programming, and Inkscape is a great way to introduce students to vector graphics. Although those with an artistic flair will particularly love this series of lessons, they were extremely popular with ALL students. The course comprises 7 one-hour lessons, using a stimulating PowerPoint presentation to introduce each lesson, and includes worksheets to accompany the lessons, and a Kahoot! quiz. Digital Images and a first look at Inkscape Exploring Inkscape v1.3x features and the Node Editor Projects (3 lessons): Penguin, Pac-man baddie, Elephant, Turkey Free exploration Kahoot quiz and Self assessment Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback.

I think this is pretty much all you’ll ever need on the topic of Square Numbers - with 13 Worksheets!! It uses animated PowerPoint presentations to drive the session with Worksheets and answers. ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - I have delivered these lessons successfully on numerous occasions. Before I publish, my lessons are tested in the classroom by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. Let me know if you have any questions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a practicing teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). Packages in this series: Square Numbers, Triangular Numbers Search words: maths, numeracy, numbers, square numbers, squares, sequences, patterns, worksheet

Computers did not just drop out of the sky - real people came up with the ideas and created what we have today! The series of 3 lessons tries to make these pioneers real, and focuses on people such as Leibniz, Jacquard, Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Tim Berners-Lee, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Page and Brin, Jeff Bezos, and more… They cover topics such as binary numbers, early computers, the internet, the World Wide Web, Apple, Microsoft, Quantum computers, Amazon, Ebay, Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok Each lesson comprises: a fully animated PowerPoint loads of embedded videos (can be extracted if required) fun worksheets Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: computer pioneer history Leibniz Jacquard Babbage Ada Lovelace Alan Turing Tim Berners-Lee Steve Jobs Bill Gates Page Brin Jeff Bezos google amazon apple microsoft internet world wide web www

This is a FREE background presentation to my series of Maths Starters resources. There are a number of cost effective options for purchasing these resources: - a single PowerPoint (there are 6 in the series) - a bundle of 3 PowerPoints - a mega bundle of 6 PowerPoints This is part of a set of top rated, "turbo-charged" (just take a look), self-contained (what every teacher craves), stimulating (genuinely loved by students and also great for VERY high ability students) morning starters, each with a main task, plus an extension for those who solve the challenge more quickly (this should avoid the question... "I've finished... what should I do now?"). Each challenge is self-explanatory, and should take approx. 15 - 30 minutes to investigate/solve. The tasks are presented in a visually exciting PowerPoint (which I loved creating), with a logical progression of clues guiding students towards the solution. The slides are animated where appropriate to provide clearer explanations and are designed to encourage students to adopt a "mathematical brain" (no sledgehammers allowed! - a slogan my students now associate with me!). Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practicing teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY "classroom-tested" - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximize their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: math, numeracy, numbers, arithmetic, starters, challenge, brain, stimulate, problem, mental, thinking, abstract

FREE INTRODUCTION - this is the first of 10 lessons We all ask and expect our students to learn things, and this requires MEMORY. Memory IS learning. Without memory, there can be no learning. BUT - do we ever give our students an understanding of what memory is, and more importantly, strategies for improving their memory? “Learn your multiplication tables”… sure, but HOW? This series of 10 lessons is designed with this in mind. Session 1: Introduction to memory Session 2: Types of memory - short and long term memory Session 3: Strategies 1 - linking and stories Session 4: Strategies 2 - mnemonics Session 5: Strategies 3 - names and faces Session 6: Strategies 4 - lists Session 7: Strategies 5 - numbers Session 8: Strategies 6 - using routes and locations Session 9: Strategies 7 - misc. Session 10: Memory IS us - the consequences of losing memory Each session comprises: a fully animated, stimulating PowerPoint loads of embedded videos (can be extracted if required) Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: games, challenge, memory, strategies, brain, numbers, linking, mnemonic, neuron**

see FREE INTRODUCTION - the first of 10 lessons We all ask and expect our students to learn things, and this requires MEMORY. Memory IS learning. Without memory, there can be no learning. BUT - do we ever give our students an understanding of what memory is, and more importantly, strategies for improving their memory? “Learn your multiplication tables”… sure, but HOW? This series of 10 lessons is designed with this in mind. Session 1: Introduction to memory Session 2: Types of memory - short and long term memory Session 3: Strategies 1 - linking and stories Session 4: Strategies 2 - mnemonics Session 5: Strategies 3 - names and faces Session 6: Strategies 4 - lists Session 7: Strategies 5 - numbers Session 8: Strategies 6 - using routes and locations Session 9: Strategies 7 - misc. Session 10: Memory IS us - the consequences of losing memory Each session comprises: a fully animated, stimulating PowerPoint loads of embedded videos (can be extracted if required) Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: games, challenge, memory, strategies, brain, numbers, linking, mnemonic, neuron**

Click here for a full listing of all my Scratch Projects In this project, students create a toy bear, using sprites to simulate “touch pads” -making the bear smile, blink, change colour, etc. Enhancements include using the keyboard instead of sprites, and adding sound. There are many sites offering Scratch Projects. However, many tend to be like recipes - students almost mechanically enter code and create “delicious cakes”, without learning a lot about Scratch. My goal is to get students to create a fun project, and at the same time learn how the instructions work and fit together. I use the following approach: - break the project into manageable chunks - present “pseudo-code” for each chunk - provide the Scratch commands to implement the pseudo-code, but jumbled up In this way, students learn about pseudo-code (an important part of coding), and have to understand the Scratch instructions in order to sequence them correctly to match the pseudo-code. The lessons comprise: 1. a PowerPoint with instructions 2. a Word document with the instruction slides printed 2 to a page as a handout 3. accompanying Scratch files for teachers that match each stage of the project ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested”, and continually updated. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so please provide constructive feedback.

Click here for a full listing of all my Scratch Projects In this project, students create a question and answer quiz using different backdrops for each question. There are many sites offering Scratch Projects. However, many tend to be like recipes - students almost mechanically enter code and create “delicious cakes”, without learning a lot about Scratch. My goal is to get students to create a fun project, and at the same time learn how the instructions work and fit together. I use the following approach: - break the project into manageable chunks - present “pseudo-code” for each chunk - provide the Scratch commands to implement the pseudo-code, but jumbled up In this way, students learn about pseudo-code (an important part of coding), and have to understand the Scratch instructions in order to sequence them correctly to match the pseudo-code. The lessons comprise: 1. a PowerPoint with instructions 2. a Word document with the instruction slides printed 2 to a page as a handout 3. accompanying Scratch files for teachers that match each stage of the project ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested”, and continually updated. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so please provide constructive feedback.

This is Part 2 only. This complete topic comprises 7 by 1-hour lessons, broken down into two parts Part 1 - The fascinating History of Numbers tally marks, Sumerians & Babylonians Egyptians and Romans Mayans and Hindu Part 2 - Binary numbers the binary number system - how it evolved and how it works how computers use binary numbers, looking at text and images Each lesson comprises: a fully animated PowerPoint with explanatory slides loads of embedded videos (to extract, click here) worksheets and self-evaluation documents I have used it very successfully with students in years 5 through to 7 (with slight modifications), and all have absolutely loved the topic. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback. Teacher/Author: Barrie James Search words: numbers, binary, ascii, bitmap, transistor, computer, programming, coding, algorithm, digital, image

The Scratch 3 version is here. Click here for a full listing of all my Scratch Projects In this project, based on Flappy Birds, the player has to navigate an octopus through waves of hungry sharks. There are many sites offering Scratch Projects. However, many tend to be like recipes - students almost mechanically enter code and create “delicious cakes”, without learning a lot about Scratch. My goal is to get students to create a fun project, and at the same time learn how the instructions work and fit together. I use the following approach: - break the project into manageable chunks - present “pseudo-code” for each chunk - provide the Scratch commands to implement the pseudo-code, but jumbled up In this way, students learn about pseudo-code (an important part of coding), and have to understand the Scratch instructions in order to sequence them correctly to match the pseudo-code. The lessons comprise: 1. a PowerPoint with instructions 2. a Word document with the instruction slides printed 2 to a page as a handout 3. accompanying Scratch files for teachers that match each stage of the project ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested”, and continually updated. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so please provide constructive feedback.

Machine Learning and AI are terms we all hear a lot about every day. They affect our lives profoundly and yet, we know so little about either. Producing this presentation in what I hope is an easy to understand form, was hugely challenging and immensely rewarding, and I hope it can benefit you and your students. We all need at least a basic understanding of what is happening in the world of AI. This lesson for absolute beginners looks at what is intelligence (easy start!!) what is machine learning how AI is related to machine learning the ethical concerns of bias The lesson comprises: a fully animated PowerPoint with explanatory slides inspiring embedded videos (if you need to extract, click here) Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, and a BIG BIG thanks for looking (as a full time practising teacher, I KNOW how time consuming this process can be). ALL my postings are FULLY “classroom-tested” - before I publish, my lessons are tested by both myself and colleagues, rigorously evaluated and discussed, and continually updated to maximise their effectiveness. But there is always the possibility of error and room for improvement, so do please provide constructive feedback.