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Programmer's Paradise

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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.

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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.
Microbit Unit of Work
MrHawes8MrHawes8

Microbit Unit of Work

(1)
This Unit of Work includes 10 lessons worth of Microbit programming skills and knowledge. Each lesson has a PowerPoint presentation to go with it, with all other resources also included as Word documents. All resources including PowerPoints are numbered to make it easier to follow the unit, and there is also a teacher’s guide included. The Unit begins with an introduction to Microbits, and concludes with revision, end of unit test and DIRT reflection lesson. Topics included are Variables, Selection, Iteration, and various programming challenges in the form of games that the students can create. It also includes the Microbit Board Game project that takes 2 lessons, which is also available from the Programmer’s Paradise shop on TES Resources. A homework is also included, where the students can create a program using printed code blocks, cut and stick them onto the other half of the paper. This can be used after the first couple of lessons, or later if they are less familiar with the concepts.
Software Lesson KS3
MrHawes8MrHawes8

Software Lesson KS3

(1)
Presentation with information on computer software, including the differences between application, system software and operating systems. This is the fifth lesson in the 'How a Computer Works' topic.
Microbit Introduction Lesson
MrHawes8MrHawes8

Microbit Introduction Lesson

(0)
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.
GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 2
MrHawes8MrHawes8

GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 2

(0)
This is the second in a series of eight Python programming lessons/revision (based on AQA specification) that have helped my GCSE classes improve their long answer programming question technique. The lessons built up towards working with 2D arrays and functions in time for the exams. Included is the exam-style question, mark scheme and the powerpoint used to help deliver a lesson building up towards answering the longer code question. The powerpoint includes information about the specific code features as well as some warm up code questions. Some of the powerpoints include theory as well, for example arrays or string handling if necessary to answer the longer code question.
GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 4
MrHawes8MrHawes8

GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 4

(0)
This is the fourth in a series of eight Python programming lessons/revision (based on AQA specification) that have helped my GCSE classes improve their long answer programming question technique. The lessons built up towards working with 2D arrays and functions in time for the exams. Included is the exam-style question, mark scheme and the powerpoint used to help deliver a lesson building up towards answering the longer code question. The powerpoint includes information about the specific code features as well as some warm up code questions. Some of the powerpoints include theory as well, for example arrays or string handling if necessary to answer the longer code question.
GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 3
MrHawes8MrHawes8

GCSE AQA Exam style Python Question 3

(0)
This is the third in a series of eight Python programming lessons/revision (based on AQA specification) that have helped my GCSE classes improve their long answer programming question technique. The lessons built up towards working with 2D arrays and functions in time for the exams. Included is the exam-style question, mark scheme and the powerpoint used to help deliver a lesson building up towards answering the longer code question. The powerpoint includes information about the specific code features as well as some warm up code questions. Some of the powerpoints include theory as well, for example arrays or string handling if necessary to answer the longer code question.
Exam style pseudocode questions (AQA)
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Exam style pseudocode questions (AQA)

(0)
These questions are used to help students practice longer pseudocode questions that they will encounter in GCSE exams. The pseudocode style is based on AQA, and each question comes with a mark scheme showing where marks are scored. Again, this is based around AQA’s mark schemes (i.e. awarding marks for including selection, for example). This set contains 8 pseudocode questions and mark schemes for each. In separate uploads I have the powerpoint used in lessons to help deliver specific lessons which build up towards answering the longer pseudocode questions in this set. The order I used them (with the intent of increasing difficulty as we went along): 1 - Phone Bill Calculator 2 - Note Changer 3 - Swimming Pool 4 - Guessing Game 5 - Substring 6 - Sports Day 7 - Linear Search Array 8 - Inverting Image (2D array)
KS3 Scratch Flowcharts 2-lesson mini project
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KS3 Scratch Flowcharts 2-lesson mini project

(0)
Included in this resource is a Powerpoint which is helpful in recapping flowcharts and then leads into a programming task involving a number guessing game. The students should be aiming to make a flowchart based on the first two tasks in the project, which will help them move on to programming them in Scratch in the second lesson. There is a card sort which involves writing the instructions onto blank paper symbols to form the flowchart, and examples of each task as a flowchart and scratch game. This has been used with Year 7 following two previous units using Scratch, as a warm up for programming as well as a reminder of flowcharts and their usefulness in planning programs.
GCSE Run Length Encoding Programming Lesson tasks
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GCSE Run Length Encoding Programming Lesson tasks

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This resource contains tasks for a complete programming lesson based on Run Length Encoding. If students have looked at the theory this lesson is a good follow up as it improves their programming skills and reinforces the theory learned previously. Included in this resource is a self-marking Excel starter document, and Powerpoint presentation for the lesson. The code with tasks is included for students to copy and paste into Visual Basic, or pseudocode for more of a challenge. EDITED: Now includes a basic Testing table in a Word document so the students can prove that their program is working and become familiar with the process for their coursework.
KS2/KS3 slug trail maze tutorial
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KS2/KS3 slug trail maze tutorial

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In this resource is a working version of a ‘slug trail’ maze game, and a Word document tutorial to go with it. The tutorial can be given to students as a help sheet once they have been given an introductory demonstration, or if they are pushing on further than the rest of the class. The tutorial help sheet includes screenshots of code and explains how and why this code is used to create the finished version of the game.
KS3 Scratch Game Project
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KS3 Scratch Game Project

(0)
This resource is a set of instructions for KS3 students to create their own game. Ideally they will be at or near to finishing with Scratch before moving on to more complex programming languages. This is intended for the end of my KS3 Scratch Unit of work. Included is the Word document which details what they will need to include in their game (and what they might want to include), as well as an example game evaluation written in Powerpoint to make it easy for them to write about. There is also a skeleton evaluation which describes what they need to include in their evaluation. As the students can create their own game and need to write about how they have made it, this is likely to take a minimum of three lessons.
Exam Style VB.NET Questions (AQA GCSE)
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Exam Style VB.NET Questions (AQA GCSE)

(0)
These questions are used to help students practice longer coding questions that they will encounter in GCSE exams. Where pseudocode is used, the style is based on AQA, and each question comes with a mark scheme showing where marks are scored. This set contains 8 pseudocode questions and mark schemes for each. In separate uploads I have the powerpoint used in lessons to help deliver specific lessons which build up towards answering the longer pseudocode questions in this set. The order I used them (with the intent of increasing difficulty as we went along): 1 - Phone Bill Calculator 2 - Note Changer 3 - Swimming Pool 4 - Guessing Game 5 - Substring and Functions 6 - Sports Day Function 7 - Linear Search Array 8 - Inverting Image (2D array)
KS2 / KS3 Scratch intermediate bundle
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Scratch intermediate bundle

7 Resources
This unit is designed to be used after the initial Scratch unit, and contains lessons on flowcharts, sequencing, selection, iteration, variables and subroutines. The games that will be made through this unit include: A chatbot A scrolling maze Falling Fruit game Breakout Rock, paper, scissors Following the flowcharts lesson, the students will complete the other lessons to create the above programs, and then finish with an assessment. The assessment says Y6 at the top as this was the year group I have used it with, but that is because my Y5s completed the introductory unit and so moved onto this in Y6. However, this could be used for KS2 or KS3, depending on programming and Scratch experience.
KS2 / KS3 Scratch superunit - introduction and follow-up unit
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Scratch superunit - introduction and follow-up unit

13 Resources
This bundle contains two units of work for Scratch, including at least 14 lessons in total (some may take longer, depending on programming speed). It can be broken down into two units, or potentially completed in one go. I have completed these with the same students over two years - the introductory unit in Y5 and then the second unit in Y6. However, this could be used with older children with little Scratch experience. The lessons conatined are as follows: Unit 1 Introduction to Scratch - algorithms Joke - sequencing Disco - sequencing / iteration Etch-a-sketch - controlling sprites Maze - Selection / iteration Assessment Unit 2 Flowcharts - algorithms Chatbot - sequencing / selection Scrolling maze - variables Falling fruit - indefinite iteration / variables Breakout - Variables / subroutines Rock, Paper, Scissors - Definite iteration / subroutines Assessment
KS2 / KS3 Rock paper scissors tutorial - subroutines
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KS2 / KS3 Rock paper scissors tutorial - subroutines

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This lesson is for students who have completed the introductory unit of Scratch, or have other experience in Scratch or other programming languages. The lesson focuses on creating a game using subroutines, and includes a presentation which introduces the task, the complete code for demonstration purposes and starter code for the students. There is also a tutorial for the students to complete the creation of the game following the demonstration.
Scratch UltraBundle - 3 Units
MrHawes8MrHawes8

Scratch UltraBundle - 3 Units

18 Resources
This bundle includes the Scratch beginner’s bundle, intermediate bundle and expert bundle all in one. I have used this for Years 5-7, using one unit each year as they move up the school. This could be used for other year groups as they encounter and improve with Scratch. Each unit should take 6-8 lessons, which is why I have spread them out over three year groups. In total there are 18 different resources bundled together here.
AQA Pseudocode Exam Style Question and Powerpoint 5
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AQA Pseudocode Exam Style Question and Powerpoint 5

(0)
This is the fifth in a series of pseudocode lessons (based on AQA pseudocode) that have helped my GCSE classes improve their long answer pseudocode technique. The lessons built up towards working with 2D arrays etc in time for the exams. Included is the exam-style question, mark scheme and the powerpoint used to help deliver a lesson building up towards answering the longer pseudocode question. The powerpoint includes information about pseudocode as well as some warm up pseudocode questions. Some of the powerpoints include theory as well, for example arrays or string handling if necessary to answer the longer pseudocode question.
GCSE Sound File Size worksheets (A5)
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GCSE Sound File Size worksheets (A5)

(7)
Two worksheets, the second harder than the first, which can be printed in A5 size. Suitable for GCSE students learning about sound and can build towards practice exam questions. Answers are included in a separate file.
GCSE Binary Addition and Shift Presentation
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GCSE Binary Addition and Shift Presentation

(3)
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.
AQA Pseudocode Guide
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AQA Pseudocode Guide

(0)
This Powerpoint is a resource which I have made available to all GCSE students - it is based around the AQA pseudocode guide and compares each instruction to VB.NET commands. This is not something I have spent much lesson time on, but it could be used as an introduction to pseudocode for new GCSE classes.