KS2 First lessons with MakeCode and the micro:bit

A sequence of lessons that provide a pathway through six projects, ideal for getting started with the micro:bit. Students develop their use of some core computing concepts by coding and making practical projects including step counters, night lights, and games.

The sequence comprises six lessons:

1. Name badge
2. Beating heart
3. Emotion badge
4. Step counter
5. Night light
6. Rock, paper, scissors

Learning objectives

• Students can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
• Students can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
• 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 variables and 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

Supplied resources

• Lesson plans (Word)
• Lesson slides (PowerPoint)
• Student handouts
• Sample micro:bit program files

England KS2 computing curriculum links

• Students can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
• Students can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
• 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 variables and 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