This highly interactive lesson that requires the pupils to work in teams and use computational thinking skills to solve a range of puzzles. This activity perfect for pupils about to learn Python programming and you want to show the importance of computational thinking skills. **This resource was shortlisted for the Teach Secondary Awards, a very rare honor for an independent resource creator. ** Your class need to work together to escape a locked laboratory in a spaceship and start the engines to avoid being sucked into a black hole by completing different challenges which will use a variety of computational thinking skills. They are given most of the lesson to work together and at the end of the lesson, time is dedicated to discuss the computational thinking skills they used during the activity. This gives them a practical application for the computational thinking theory rather than using the tired old “making a jam sandwich” or “getting up in the morning” scenarios which are commonly used. This activity is not a handout driven escape room, it involves using an interactive PowerPoint presentation and physical tasks that moves away from pupils filling in yet another worksheet, to working together in a team to solve interesting and challenging puzzles. Pupils enjoy the lesson and are fully engaged whilst developing the key computational thinking skills of decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms. Please note: This lesson does require teachers to prepare some props beforehand and it is highly recommended the teacher reads through the teacher’s instructions and creates the props well before they want to use the lesson. Also please note that this resource does not work with Google Slides. Written primarily for key stage 3, this activity can be used in a variety of situations: Introducing pupils to computational thinking skills before they are introduced to a text-based programming language Used as an end of term fun lesson which still has an education element A fun activity to use on a year 6 transition day Allow your new year 7s to get to know their new classmates and grow team sprit Helping a reluctant class see the benefits of learning programming skills . What are you waiting for? Download this interactive escape room NOW, to help students learn about computational thinking skills in a fun and memorable lesson they will love and remember. You may also be interested in my Computational Thinking Worksheets which you can buy from here.

12 computational thinking worksheets you can use with your class, no preparation necessary. You even have the answers, making these a brilliant easy to use addition to your teacher toolkit. They can be printed out or completed on-screen as they are PDF files with editable areas for students to enter their answers. HOW CAN I USE THEM? These worksheets are ideal for An easy grab-and-go classroom activity, homework tasks and cover worksheets. . Perfect for computer science teachers, non-specialists and new teachers. WHAT IS INCLUDED? The 12 PDF worksheets included: Decomposition: Delivery Robot – A 2-page worksheet where students break down larger tasks into smaller tasks. A great starter activity. Decomposition: Make a Snowman – This simple worksheet where students put the steps in order and then decompose one of those steps further. This is perfect for a starter or a plenary. Decomposition: Robot Arms – This asks students to break down the tasks a robot arm in a factory would need to do. Great as a homework task. Pattern Recognition: Finding Order – Students decide on the order or steps that are required to follow a recipe successfully. A nice starter. Pattern Recognition: Spot the Correct Pattern – a 3-page worksheet where students need to pick the correct set of instructions to draw the shape. Perfect for a homework task or plenary. Pattern Recognition: Create a Pattern – a 2-page worksheet. Students follow the example given and adapt it to match the scenarios. A great way to check progress. Abstraction: London Underground – Students look at the London underground map, then answer questions about why the map has been simplified. A nice way of introducing the topic of abstraction in computational thinking. Abstraction: Film – Students describe answer questions on abstraction about a film synopsis. A nice in-class activity to reinforce learning. Abstraction: Gathering Important Facts – Students read a statement and answer questions. A nice homework task or plenary. Algorithms: Writing Instructions – A fun in-class pairs activity to write instructions for a secret handshake. A great interactive starter activity which reinforces the need for clarity in instructions. Algorithms: Pseudocode – Students write pseudocode. A nice homework task, in-class tasks to reinforce learning or plenary to check understanding. Algorithms: Flow Diagrams – A 3-page worksheet where students need to answer questions about flowcharts. Great as a plenary activity or homework task. What are you waiting for? Buy them now and use them straight away to enhance your lessons whilst saving yourself hours of preparation.

(Greg Reid has written two Computing text books for the Scottish education system. His resources are used in thousands of schools all over the world.) Computational Thinking (learning to think in a logical/problem solving way) is the buzz word in the teaching of programming. By teaching students to predict the outcome of small pieces of code they naturally become better at building their own programs. Although this homework uses Scratch program code, the code is simply a vehicle to ask the questions and the homework may be used with students who have never seen Scratch. Permission has been granted by the Scratch team to uses images of Scratch code. Have fun. My students loved these! Previously downloaded 30,000 times on a few websites comments have included: “Thanks, these look like really good examples and introduce code in a fun and engaging way.” “Very useful. I’ll use for a Maths class as well.” “Great examples to understand code. Thank you for sharing it.”

This unit of work introduces students within KS3 to the concepts of computational thinking by helping Rob-bot the robot make a jam sandwich. Through the activity, students will learn about decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithm design (through both basic flowcharts and pseudo code). They will also lean about the importance of debugging their algorithms. The duration of this work usually takes between 2-3 hours to complete, so is perfect as an introductory unit to computational thinking and programming. ***Please leave a review!***

Computational Thinking (learning to think in a logical/problem solving way) is the buzz word in the teaching of programming. By teaching students to predict the outcome of small pieces of code they naturally become better at building their own programs. Although this homework uses Scratch program code, the code is simply a vehicle to ask the questions and the homework may be used with students who have never seen Scratch. Permission has been granted by the Scratch team to uses images of Scratch code. Have fun. My students loved these! Previously downloaded 30,000 times on a few websites comments have included: "Thanks, these look like really good examples and introduce code in a fun and engaging way." "Very useful. I'll use for a Maths class as well." "Great examples to understand code. Thank you for sharing it."

(Greg Reid has written two Computing text books for the Scottish education system. His resources are used in thousands of schools all over the world.) Computational Thinking (learning to think in a logical/problem solving way) is the buzz word in the teaching of programming. By teaching students to predict the outcome of small pieces of code they naturally become better at building their own programs. Although this homework uses Scratch program code, the code is simply a vehicle to ask the questions and the homework may be used with students who have never seen Scratch. This homework focuses on move and rotate. Permission has been granted by the Scratch team to uses images of Scratch code. Have fun. My students loved these!

There are several skills required to be a good programmer. One of these is being able to modularise programs by identifying blocks of code. This Scratch homework is based around the “broadcast” block which can be used to modularise programs allowing greater control over order, reuse of code and gives sprites the ability to communicate with each other. The homework starts with a worked example. There are four questions making this homework about a 10-15 minute task. Note that question 4 will be out of reach of most younger pupils and should possibly set as a challenge (possibly with a certificate or prize for those who successfully solve it) Students love this style of problem solving homework. Have fun!

There are several skills required to be a good programmer. One of these is being able to identify the order of code. In this Scratch homework students are given a description of a short animation and the blocks required to build it, Their task is identify the correct order of the blocks. The homework starts with a worked example. There are three questions making this homework about a 10-15 minute task. Students love this style of problem solving homework.

There are several skills required to be a good programmer. One of these is being able to debug programs by identifying errors in code. In this Scratch homework students are given a description of a short animation and are required to find the errors in the code. The homework starts with a worked example. There are three questions making this homework about a 10-15 minute task. Students love this style of problem solving homework. Have fun!

Computational Thinking Worksheet - formative assessment for DP1 student in IB program

A powerpoint that introduces, decomposition, algorithm thinking and abstraction. Suitable for KS4 and KS3

Computational thinking is an approach to problem solving Computational thinking is about taking a complex problem and being able to use several ‘computation thinking techniques’ (abstraction, decomposition, pattern recognition and algorithmic thinking) to: Fully understand the problem Create an effective solution.

Thinking Quilt is a good starter task as a retrieval, feel free to make changes according to what you have covered.

This comprehensive unit of work introduces the concepts of computational thinking to students at KS4. It covers all elements of computational thinking such as Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction and Algorithmic Design. I have also included debugging within the work. Each section is explained and followed by tasks to help develop student understanding. I have also included a ‘supermarket sweep’ computational thinking problem and a final project exercise which has three levels of difficulty. 2018 Update: Improved Grammar and clarity of task requirement. ***Please leave a review!***

A complete set of presentation notes detailing the theory behind computational thinking. This presentation details algorithms, problem solving and the key concepts of computational thinking.

Included in pack - PDF and PPT versions. Includes; Procedures, Functions, IF then Else statements Loops (Repeat, Forever, Forever IF) Getting around (Moving jumping techniques) Game based (Scoring, collecting objects, timers) Scratch specific techniques (Broadcasting, variables, costumes) Bouncing off things (edge of screen, walls) Creating a scrolling background Ideal for KS3, but also suitable for KS2. Also includes flowchart diagrams to help explain the concept of the programming. *****************************************Please leave a review!***************************************

Build students ability to make independent progress and think computationally with a range of programming skills using scratch. Students will learn vital keywords required as fundamental building block for computer science GCSE. Each exercise is independent of each other. Challenges range from simple to difficult and students are encouraged to consider and compare alternative solutions. Solutions for each challenge is provided, easy to follow and understand even for a non specialist teacher. This series of exercises is targeted at KS3 students, although KS4 students will also benefit from it as a revision tool for GCSE computer science. It is strongly advised that these exercises are used after students are taught fundamental skills from algorithms in scratch series.

A set of informative posters to support the delivery of computational thinking within the classroom across all subjects and years! With particular relevance to the Digital Competence Framework within Wales, this resource was created as a guide to educators at all levels on how to incorporate Computational Thinking into lessons. This resource also provides suggestions on how the terminology can be simplified and delivered at different levels of education. There are a broad range of practical ideas on how to integrate computational thinking questions, tasks and games into subjects across the curriculum. I hope you find it of use! Update: Now in high definition 2560x1440 **Please Leave a Review!!!**

A series of 6 classroom wall posters to promote the concept of computational thinking. Alongside the 4 parts of computational thinking (Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction and Algorithm design), I have also included debugging which includes common errors (example syntax and logical). PNG and PDF versions included. Computational Thinking is a skill set that can be used across the curriculum, not just within computer science! The logical approach to solving a problem means that it’s application can be used to develop and improve students ability to deal with difficult problems in a more rational way. The aim of my posters is to make you realise that many of the brilliant tasks that teachers facilitate week in, week out actually include computational thinking. It’s just a matter of making it more explicit! Please leave a review!