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Computer Science Made Easy

Average Rating3.42
(based on 39 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!
An introduction to Scratch for young children, or low ability
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An introduction to Scratch for young children, or low ability

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The software is introduced as a story told by the Scratch cat himself! It covers all of the basics needed before they begin programming, with introduction to the window, creating, or importing stages, and importing sprites. There is a task, and an introduction to the next exciting lesson. Can either be read to the children, or given to them as a self follow tutorial.
Abstraction, flow chart, application to Game Maker SOW 6 weeks including assessment and exam
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Abstraction, flow chart, application to Game Maker SOW 6 weeks including assessment and exam

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This is a 6 week SOW which introduces learners to the concept of abstraction, pseudocode writing, and then flowcharting, with examples, and easy to follow PowerPoints with activities to deepen learning. Abstraction, pseudocode, flowchart, create, debug, improve is given as a cycle for learning programming. Lessons 4 5 and 6 are about creating a step by step Fifa football game with challenges at the end. There are differentiation tasks throughout the sow.
An introduction to IF statements, Python programming challenges, pseudocode
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An introduction to IF statements, Python programming challenges, pseudocode

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Based upon a problem solving approach. Learners are asked to code in Python to solve several problems in Python, and also get an introduction to basic Pseudocode to enable them to read, interpret and write Pseudocode. Possible solutions are included. This is a one hour lesson, aimed at year 10 lower ability, and was used successfully with higher attainers too.
PPT lesson introducing Scratch with an aquarium
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PPT lesson introducing Scratch with an aquarium

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A full lesson which could be delivered by a non specialist. It includes learning objectives, and outcomes. Learners get an introduction to the x and y co-ordinates on screen. The opportunity to develop a sea bed stage. They then use given sprites and program them to swim across the screen, touch the end, turn and swim back. There is an extension task of adding further fish, and changing the variable speed.
Scratch basic skills lesson, changing stage and programming delays
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Scratch basic skills lesson, changing stage and programming delays

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This lesson has been used with lower ability year 7 and 8. Learners find out how to count up seconds and program delays. They learn how the stage can change. They also develop the skills of getting sprites to 'say'. There is a peer assessment activity, and a homelearning sheet to define key terms. It is adaptable for any topic, and has been used in pshe as an esafety cross curricula lesson.
Scratch scripts for beginners half a terms work
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Scratch scripts for beginners half a terms work

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Six ideas for simple games that can be created in Scratch. They cover IF, loops, ELSE, show, hide, delays, pen up, scrolling screen, changing rooms, sensing colour, movement with the keyboard or automatically. There is an aim on each slide, all you need to do is add is starter, plenary, and you have half a terms work in the bag! This could be used with very young children in primary, copying the code, or older children, with the coding explained, but not given. I've used it with year 7 for several years and the youngsters love it.
10 Python scripts for very simple games for beginners to learn the basics
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10 Python scripts for very simple games for beginners to learn the basics

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These scripts start very easy for absolute beginners, and build upon knowledge. There are ten, which could be turned into 10 lessons by just adding starter, plenary, LO's etc. They are fun ways of introducing IF, ELIF, WHILE, tuples, data types, maths, importing functions, using answers as inputs. I've used them in KS3 for lower ability to copy, and get used to accuracy, particularly in indents, and EOL string errors. I've also introduced the concept to KS4, and use them only as a reference point in a laminated book. There will be a second resource which focusses on calling sub routines with global variables, allowing the learners to practice skills needed for GCSE computer science.
Responding to network threats
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Responding to network threats

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Can be used as a standalone lesson, or a double lesson with 2a threats to a network. This one hour lesson, with objectives, and outcomes, covers Anti virus, firewall, AUP, back ups, and access levels. There are several engaging activities, links, and a levelled task at the end with a 6-9 mark scheme.
Scratch DJ lesson
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Scratch DJ lesson

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A DOUBLE Scratch lesson complete with learning objectives, outcomes, plenary, homework. Teaching stage painting, forever loops, variables. Interaction is added in lesson 2 on the presentation whereby keyboard actions trigger sounds. The learners really engaged with this. There is a follow on lesson uploaded here to add discos lights, and change the stage.
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.
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!
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.
Christmas Scratch Animated card
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Christmas Scratch Animated card

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This contains a starter where students are asked to ponder what makes an animated card interesting. The scripts are then given for learners to create a fully animated e-card. It includes moving snow, decorations that find their way to the tree, a star coming from the sky and landing on the tree. Baubles that flash, and a merry Christmas sign that lights up. Some features start automatically and others are interactive. This can be used from around age 7 right up to year 11! Everyone loves a Christmas theme! The lesson ends with a bronze, silver gold worksheet which allows differentiation from a cloze key word task, to considering real life uses, and ends with Blooms evaluative task for more able learners. There is also a homework / extended learning task available. Two learning walks have been rated outstanding with this lesson.
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.
12 Christmas Python scripts - 2-3 hours work coding
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12 Christmas Python scripts - 2-3 hours work coding

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From absolute beginner. These could be used as solutions (given as problems to solve). Or used to copy code and annotate. Or even 'broken' and used as debugging tasks. The scripts all have a Christmas theme to keep learners engaged for the run up to Christmas. The skills / constructs included are: Using strings If, then else Tuples Import time Import webbrowser Maths Append to list Sub routines While loops For loops Sorting Concatenation Casting You will use this invaluable resource with different scenarios over and over again! Enjoy - and merry Christmas to you!
Follow me!  Scratch crazy monsters for EAL or very low ability
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Follow me! Scratch crazy monsters for EAL or very low ability

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I have created this resource to take the child through adding a sprite, a stage, colour change, music loops, speech, and movement. The theme is crazy monsters, as they are in the disco, you will see the delight when they can have a highly interactive monster change colour and play music loops. There is very little text on the screen, designed for the very young, or those who have English as a second language. They just follow the circles on each slide to add to the coding. There are 36 slides, with a certificate for the basics, then extension work for faster learners. You won't be sorry you bought this idea and activity as you see their engagement and delight.
Follow me!  Chamak dances, Scratch 38 slide activity for primary
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Follow me! Chamak dances, Scratch 38 slide activity for primary

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Part of the follow me range, designed for younger learners, non-readers, or EAL pupils. The learners are able to follow the circles on a slide show to code a lady dancing to a guitar. Skills built in this: adding stage adding and editing sprites changing costumes adding music changing beats to suit using a forever loop using delays There are two certificates to be gained in this very engaging lesson(s) This resource could be used by an independent learner, or by a teacher going through the slide in turn. It's real strength though is with non specialists, helping those who are unable, or unwilling to read. The lesson is very visual, and the audio also makes it engaging.