Computer Science resources for KS3-4, with a focus on programming.
Programming resources include Scratch, Microbit, Small Basic and Visual Basic for now, with other languages potentially in the future, such as C#.
I have worked with the AQA specification throughout my teaching career and so these resources will be suitable for anyone teaching the new AQA spec.
Please review any resources, suggestions are welcome for improvements etc.
Computer Science resources for KS3-4, with a focus on programming.
Programming resources include Scratch, Microbit, Small Basic and Visual Basic for now, with other languages potentially in the future, such as C#.
I have worked with the AQA specification throughout my teaching career and so these resources will be suitable for anyone teaching the new AQA spec.
Please review any resources, suggestions are welcome for improvements etc.
This resource is a PowerPoint presentation that helps to reinforce definite vs. indefinite iteration, and also includes instructions for creating a game for the microbit. Complete code blocks shown in the PowerPoint.
This resource is a PowerPoint presentation used to teach iteration for students using the Microbit. The main task involves students programming definite and indefinite iteration through the use of two different looping blocks of code.
This resource is a PowerPoint used to teach a lesson on Selection statements using the Microbit. The lesson revolves around the students creating a 'Magic 8 Ball' game, using If...Then...Else blocks of code.
This lesson includes the PowerPoint needed to have the students create a game called Click Wars, and the flowchart card sort activity alongside it.
Also included is the instruction sheet for the students to work from, and a Word document containing the coded solutions.
Included in this resource is the PowerPoint used to introduce the microbit to a class, and some simple coding tasks to get the students using the microbits early on in the unit.
Another PowerPoint is included for the final task, which is a selection of programming challenges for students to attempt.
A powerpoint introduction to arrays (GCSE) including why they are used, and a programming task at the end.
Also included in this resource is the full code (Visual Basic) for all four tasks at the end of the presentation.
Included is a Powerpoint used to teach binary addition and shift to a mixed ability GCSE class. Includes lots of chances for students to practice the techniques with questions and follow up by writing notes on how to calculate the addition and shifts.
Three separate lessons, covering variables, selection and iteration in Small Basic.
Included are PowerPoints, programming tasks with full code, and links to bespoke Kahoot quizzes as well. Presentations include theory as well as code challenges.
Help sheets and code snippets are also included to help students who might struggle with the programming tasks.
20% saving on price of all three lessons separately.
Included is a presentation on iteration using Small Basic. Includes some theory and programming tasks, including all of the code required, instruction sheets and code snippets useful for helping students who might otherwise struggle with programming.
I have used this with multiple mixed ability Year 8 classes, who have all managed some success with programming. Also included at the end of the presentation is a link to a Kahoot quiz written specifically for this lesson.
One of the early tasks involves changing the background colour of the graphics window. Be aware that if students play around with the timing then it could potentially affect students with epilepsy. I made sure that none of my students would be affected before planning this lesson.
Included is a presentation on selection using Small Basic. Includes some theory and programming tasks, including all of the code required, instruction sheets and code snippets useful for helping students who might otherwise struggle with programming.
I have used this with multiple mixed ability Year 8 classes, who have all managed some success with programming. Also included at the end of the presentation is a link to a Kahoot quiz written specifically for this lesson.
Included is a presentation on variables using Small Basic. Includes some theory and programming tasks, including all of the code required, instruction sheets and code snippets useful for helping students who might otherwise struggle with programming.
I have used this with multiple mixed ability Year 8 classes, who have all managed some success with programming. Also included at the end of the presentation is a link to a Kahoot quiz written specifically for this lesson.
This is a programming project that I have used over 3 lessons with my mixed ability Year 10 class. Included is a PowerPoint with the main programming challenges, and the full code for demonstrating the game before the students make it (Visual Basic).
Each challenge should be discussed before the students choose either the code (easier) or pseudocode (harder) images to help them with the programming. Images have been used to avoid copy and pasting. The pseudocode will need to be translated into code and the code images contain key words blanked out to avoid pure copying.
Included is a programming project to recreate a well known game that I have used with a mixed ability Year 10 class. The project took 3-4 lessons and includes the powerpoint highlighting the main challenges in creating the game, the full code (Visual Basic), pseudocode for the whole program and images of code/pseudocode for each challenge that the programmers face. Images were used for this to prevent students copy and pasting the code.
To differentiate, after talking through solving each challenge as a class, the students were able to load up the image of either the code or pseudocode, and type the code required into their program. The pseudocode is more challenging as it needs translating into code, and the code has key words missing so it is not just about copying the code into their program.
I have also included teaching notes on how to discuss the different challenges, and a help sheet on 2-dimensional arrays.
Included is a presentation reviewing the Bubble Sort method, and an interactive Excel activity that can is self-marking and can give students immediate feedback.
There is also a help sheet for anyone who has missed the Bubble Sort theory or needs help with the activities, and differentiated instructions for writing a Bubble Sort program (I used Visual Basic but the code hints could be adapted to another language quickly).
I have also included the lesson plan that I used for a lesson observation. There are notes on AfL and differentiation included in the plan.
A Breakout programming task for Year 7, 8 or 9. Includes a short powerpoint showing how to open the instructions, the instructions themselves (a step by step guide to creating the game), and a link to the finished game which can be used as a starter to get them engaged from the beginning of the lesson.
The instructions include hints with very small code snippets which are linked to specific steps in the programming process. With some high ability Year 8 students this has taken at least two lessons, so could be used as a project with mixed ability or younger classes.
GCSE lesson based around making the malware/cyber security topic related to programming.
Looked online but couldn't find anything useful so created a 'virus' program to teach the students without giving them information on how to do anything illegal.
Code works in Visual Basic, and is a good way to get the students hooked. Also worth mentioning that the 'virus' they create doesn't actually do anything malicious, it just appears that way, and gives them a chance to practice their programming techniques.
Then they have instructions on the worksheet that they follow through until they have a working program. Powerpoint is also included.
Included is a booklet containing a series of tasks (16 in total) with hints for some of the trickier tasks. There are also code snippets which can be used alongside the tasks or as an extra aid for students who are struggling.
Also included is a checklist which can be displayed during the project, so that students can update their progress through the tasks.
I have used this with a year 10 class who found it enjoyable as well as getting good programming practice.
The program makes use of variables, selection, definite and indefinite iteration, arrays, boolean variables and a linear search.
A 60 minute lesson delivered for Year 8 in an observed lesson.
All tasks are on the lesson plan/powerpoint notes, there are more than enough so I have not delivered this lesson using every task. Worth running through the memory game slide to see how the animation works before using it.
This is the sixth lesson in the 'How a Computer Works' topic.
This resource was used for Year 7 Computing following a unit involving learning about variables, selection, iteration and random number generation using the Microbit. They loved playing the game, especially as they helped to create it!
The idea is to have them use the Microbit as part of the board game. They will program in a dice function for shaking the Microbit, and other features for when they press Button A or B. The game works similarly to Snakes and Ladders. Button A moves the player either forwards or backwards, 6, 4, or 2 spaces (picked randomly by the program), and Button B moves the player up or down by flashing up to 3 up or down arrows (again randomly).
Instructions were given via a worksheet, where the first page (two of the tasks) were given in the first lesson and the final one was given at the start of the second. When they had finished their program they could then download it to the Microbit and play their game. My students ended up with between 10-25 minutes playing time depending on how quickly they programmed their game. They can provide their own playing pieces from pencil cases etc. and the board is provided (A4 printout is fine).
The code is in the screenshots in the PowerPoint slides and can be made up quickly.