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AlwaysComputing

Average Rating4.39
(based on 170 reviews)

I'm a specialist computing teacher in a large primary school in Bradford, so I basically play around with computers all day! I LOVE anything to do with MakeyMakey and Kodu so a lot of my stuff is based around these programs. I also qualified as a level 2 CAS Master Teacher last year so if you have any tech questions or queries please tweet me @alwayscomputing Please comment and share anything you like!

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I'm a specialist computing teacher in a large primary school in Bradford, so I basically play around with computers all day! I LOVE anything to do with MakeyMakey and Kodu so a lot of my stuff is based around these programs. I also qualified as a level 2 CAS Master Teacher last year so if you have any tech questions or queries please tweet me @alwayscomputing Please comment and share anything you like!
Year 5 - Two week Poetry Unit
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Year 5 - Two week Poetry Unit

(0)
Two weeks of poetry taught in a year 5 classroom, tried and tested by myself. The unit includes a variety of poetry styles, with a range of different activities for pupils to take part in. The poems used in the unit are included on the slides, and can easily be printed separately to hand out in class.
Google Sketchup Bundle - 3d Printing
matthew_1987matthew_1987

Google Sketchup Bundle - 3d Printing

5 Resources
A collection of resources for you to use with Google Sketchup. A piece of free software perfect for schools with a 3d printer. The units have all been made and used with primary age children, but can easily be adapted. Includes a resource with a collection of Sketchup models pre built. Perfect for examples or demonstrations.
Advertising - Create Your Own Chocolate Bar
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Advertising - Create Your Own Chocolate Bar

(0)
A 4 week unit of work with children designing and planning their own chocolate bar, then they produce an advertising campaign to go with it. It looks at what makes a good advert, persuasive language, letter writing, and some drama activities. It includes 4 weeks of planning, with corresponding PowerPoints to guide you and the pupils through the unit. I have also included a work sheet to print and work with. PLEASE REVIEW! Follow me on twitter @alwayscomputing for more teacher resources and inspiration!
Google Sketchup Introduction Lesson - OFSTED outstanding
matthew_1987matthew_1987

Google Sketchup Introduction Lesson - OFSTED outstanding

(1)
Simple introduction lesson to Google Sketchup. Pupils are asked to create a Lego brick using the software. This works great as they are simple build, use most of the key tools needed in sketchup, and kids LOVE Lego! The lessons works even better if you can source a few bricks to have in the room while you build. Google sketchup can be tricky, but with the introduction of 3d printers in some schools I really can't recommend it enough! I was lucky(!) enough to use this lesson when OFSTED visited a few months ago, and it was graded Outstanding, Yippee! So it's a real lesson, used to real effect, the key thing about using TES for resources. Made by teachers for teachers!
Kodu - Ready Made Games!
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Kodu - Ready Made Games!

(0)
A collection of 6 levels built on Kodu for you to share and use with your class. Perfect for those new to the software who need some examples to share with their pupils. Feel free to change and adapt them, or use them to get the kids started with Kodu. Using these will allow the students to play the games, and then examine how they have been built and what programming has been used. Please share and review! Any help with these please contact me @AlwaysComputing on twitter.
Chicken Clicking E-Safety Unit
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Chicken Clicking E-Safety Unit

(1)
The book Chicken Clicking, by Jeanne Willis, is a wonderful introduction to e-safety, and gives children a simple and clear understanding of the dangers when using the internet. The story is well written and the illustrations are great for young pupils. This unit of work goes through the book, with children taking part in different activities, learning about how to keep themselves safe. Included is a unit of work, resource work sheets and examples. If you have any questions please tweet my @AlwaysComputing.
Minecraft Resource Pack
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Minecraft Resource Pack

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This is a pack of lesson ideas for teachers looking to use Minecraft as a creative outlet for topics, or those new to the software who are looking for an interesting way in. It’s also perfect for lunchtime and after school clubs. The cards could be printed out for pupils to look at and choose their own activity. There are 7 different activities with a worksheet to go with, and a poster for your classroom to show pupils the controls. Please review and share, and questions please tweet me @alwayscomputing
Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED
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Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED

(0)
I have created a set of 8 independent learning cards to be used with the program Kodu. These are designed for pupils to pick up and explore on their own to develop their own programming skills. The cards consist of 5 possible games the children can create, and 3 interesting world maps. They also include a QR code link to a video guide on how to make the game. **The QR codes had failed so this resource has been updated to ensure they are working**
PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work
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PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work

(0)
The book PenguinPig, by Stuart Spendlow, is a wonderful introduction to e-safety, and gives children a simple and clear understanding of the dangers when using the internet. The story is well written and the illustrations by Amy Bradley are great for young pupils. This unit of work goes through the book, with children taking part in different activities, learning about how to keep themselves safe and whether everything they see is to be believed! Included is a unit of work, resource work sheets and examples. If you have any questions please tweet my @AlwaysComputing.
Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2
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Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2

(0)
5 different lesson ideas all based around the theme of cryptography and code breaking. I've seen lots of stuff for secondary pupils on this topic, but nothing for primary, so I thought I'd give it a go! This could easily be adapted for KS3 as well too though! The last PPT on steganography needs you to download a little exe application on the computer, so make sure you've done that before the start of the lesson! Please review and give me some feedback as I'd love to add to it and expand on this. The lessons are all on PPT, and then the guides are little sheets for the pupils to use in the lessons to help them. This can be a really fun topic so I hope they come in handy!
Year 5 Google Sketchup - Design a Bedroom
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Year 5 Google Sketchup - Design a Bedroom

(2)
A very basic unit of work looking at introducing the skills of Google Sketchup to year 5's. They design a bedroom in stages over the unit, adding trickier elements as they progress. For more resources and inspiration follow me on twitter @theICTeacher
Computing Year 1 - Barnaby Bear
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Computing Year 1 - Barnaby Bear

(0)
6 week unit of work for computing/ICT based on the topic Barnaby Bear. I have used this with year 1 but it could easily be adapted for different year groups. Resources needed are purplemash and some of the 2simple software products, but again, activities could be adapted to use software you have in school.
My Own Web Space!
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My Own Web Space!

(0)
Half Term unit of work where pupils create their own web space using Google Sites. Feel free to use another platform, the lessons can still be adapted to suit. Covers all the basic elements on what a website might contain, with discussions on copyright.
Get Blogging!
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Get Blogging!

(0)
A half term unit of work on creating effective blog spaces with your pupils. Aimed at upper KS2, but can easily be adapted to suit different year groups. Goes through different stages of creating a successful blog post, and how we can make them interesting rather than just pictures of cats!
Year 5 Instructional Texts - 2 Week Unit
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Year 5 Instructional Texts - 2 Week Unit

(0)
PowerPoint taking your through 2 weeks of instructional texts, tried and tested by myself. 8 lessons in total, with the option of a further practical lesson baking. Covers a wide range of text types and topics.
Computing KS1 Bundle
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Computing KS1 Bundle

4 Resources
3 units of work for KS1 Computing, plus some independent learning cards for in your classroom. I've also included a lesson activity on databases for year 2 which is a great introduction.