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AlwaysComputing

Average Rating4.41
(based on 171 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!
Google Sketchup Introduction Lesson - OFSTED outstanding
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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.
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
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.
Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2
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Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2

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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!
Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED
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Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED

(1)
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**
Google Sketchup Models - 3D Printing - KS2
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Google Sketchup Models - 3D Printing - KS2

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As a little pack for you to download I have put together all of the Google Sketchup models I have used and demonstrated with the pupils. Some are simple, others get tricky, but perfect for giving pupils examples of builds, or some work to adapt and manipulate! Also perfect for schools with a 3d printer, give your pupils goals to print to!
Computing Skills Assessment Tool - Primary
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Computing Skills Assessment Tool - Primary

(1)
I have used these progression sheets and data charts and shared them with other schools I work with, and it has proven popular. I have gone through the computing curriculum, picking out key skills, and assigning them to to an age range. Having this guide of where your pupils should be at can prove invaluable to non-computing teaching staff in a primary school. It also gives a rough indicator of the type of program or software pupils could be using to get to this skill set. I also still hold much value to the digital literacy skills pupils were taught under the old ICT curriculum. This is why I have included a progression sheet for this too. I use this daily with pupils, and is great for tracking their skills development. Any questions please get in touch @AlwaysComputing
Viking Longhouses - Google Sketchup Intro Unit - MODELS INCLUDED
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Viking Longhouses - Google Sketchup Intro Unit - MODELS INCLUDED

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A quick introduction to Google Sketchup, with pupils creating a model of a viking Longhouse. Work is set over a period of 5 weeks, with each lesson adding a step and feature. Variety of skills used. Finally managed to work out how to upload Sketchup files so it comes with 2 models. One is a step by step guide, the other is an example. This is perfect for any schools with a 3D Printer!! If you have any questions please contact me on Twitter @AlwaysComputing
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.
Get Blogging!
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Get Blogging!

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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!
My Own Web Space!
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My Own Web Space!

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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.
Computing Year 1 - Barnaby Bear
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Computing Year 1 - Barnaby Bear

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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.
Computing Year 2 - The Seaside
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Computing Year 2 - The Seaside

(1)
6 week unit of work for computing/ICT based on the topic Seaside. I have used this with year 2 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.
Alien Databases - Intro to how a database works
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Alien Databases - Intro to how a database works

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PowerPoint, with activity cards, taking pupils through databases and how they work. I've included the picture of the aliens I've used for display purposes. The lesson goes through how we split a database into records and fields.
PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work
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PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work

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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.
Grand Designs - Google Sketchup
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Grand Designs - Google Sketchup

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A unit based on 3d modelling using Google Sketchup. Pupils use a variety of skills and tools to create their dream home using the software, then present it to the class.\n\nFor more resources and inspiration follow me on twitter @theICTeacher
Year 6 Video Making Unit -Climate Change
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Year 6 Video Making Unit -Climate Change

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In this unit pupils will be using movie maker and flip cams to create a short video highlighting climate change. Levels descriptors are also included to assess at the end of the unit.\n\nfor more resources and inspiration follow me on Twitter @theICTeacher
Future Technology ICT unit of work - Prezi
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Future Technology ICT unit of work - Prezi

(1)
During this unit, pupils will investigate some of the technologies which might be available to us in the future. They learn to use an online presentation tool, Prezi, to present their findings For more resources and inspiration follow me on twitter @theICTeacher