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Nichola Wilkin - Computer Science

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High-impact computer science resources that are based on sound educational psychological theories to help all pupils reach their full potential. I’m an experienced teacher/HoD and professionally create computing and computer science teaching resources through my company Nichola Wilkin Ltd. All these resources have been exclusively created by me. I’m an author who has written for both BBC Bitesize and Cambridge University Press. Quality teaching resources you can trust!

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High-impact computer science resources that are based on sound educational psychological theories to help all pupils reach their full potential. I’m an experienced teacher/HoD and professionally create computing and computer science teaching resources through my company Nichola Wilkin Ltd. All these resources have been exclusively created by me. I’m an author who has written for both BBC Bitesize and Cambridge University Press. Quality teaching resources you can trust!
Computer Science Murder Mystery Activity
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Computer Science Murder Mystery Activity

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Looking for a different style of GCSE computer science revision lesson? Want a fun, interactive, team-based challenge for the end of term for your KS3 computing classes? This activity is just what you are looking for. Easily adapted to be used for KS3 and GCSE classes, this computer science murder mystery will have your pupils answering computer science related questions in order to interview suspects and solve the case. This activity includes everything you need to run this exciting and immersive game which is sure to have your classes working together as they race to beat the other teams in identifying the murderer and the murder weapon used. With minimal setting up, this game makes that last lesson of term, or the last lesson with your GCSE classes before they start their exams, an enjoyable and memorable experience. ALL THIS IS FOR FREE! Includes: Clear teacher notes telling you how to prepare and run the activity An introduction PowerPoint presentation, to set the mood and tell the students what they need to do An interactive PowerPoint presentation, the teams use to solve the case A variety of handouts that are used through the game
End of summer term computer science quiz for 2019
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End of summer term computer science quiz for 2019

(14)
A great, new quiz from Nichola Wilkin Ltd. As has become a bit of a tradition, my quizzes are used by thousands of schools every year to give pupils a fun final lesson before they break up for summer. This whole class quiz is ideally suited to keep your students engaged and settled for the final lesson of the summer term. Suitable for key stage 3 and GCSE classes. The quiz includes computer science elements as well as other fun, summer related questions getting them into the summer holiday spirit. Each round includes 5 questions and after each round the teams swap their answer sheets to mark them (all answers are provided within the presentation) allowing the quiz to easily be cut shorter if you need to. The 9 rounds this year include: Computer anagrams Summer objects Programming Films Computer hardware Logic questions Identify the character Multiple choice computer science questions, and of course Song lyrics Have a fantastic summer! You may also like these other great end of term activities I have produced: End of Term Computer Science Murder Mystery Revision End of year Computing Summer Quiz 2018 End of year Computing Summer Quiz 2017 End of year Computing Summer Quiz 2016
Computer Science Word Wall Display
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Computer Science Word Wall Display

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Getting your classroom ready for back to school? Here is a fully editable PowerPoint presentation that contains 60 common computer science words and simple student-friendly definitions. They can be displayed as a permanent wall display or you can pick the words to display to compliment your current teaching goals. It is like having a computing dictionary on the walls of your classroom for the students to quickly refer to and can help with spellings of common computer science terminology as well as acting as a reminder of the meanings of computing terms. As it is fully editable you can add to and alter the definitions yourself to make a truly personalised learning wall display for your classes. These terms are suitable for KS3 computing and GCSE computer science classes. Each slide has been adjusted to print on A4 paper and it is recommended you print them in colour for maximum effect. The colours of the key terminology refer to the following categories: Blue – Programming and Algorithms Red – Networks Purple – Computer Systems Green – Cyber security Orange – Binary, Data and Logic
Computational Thinking Escape Room
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Computational Thinking Escape Room

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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.
Computing Quiz Summer 2021
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Computing Quiz Summer 2021

(5)
Looking for a computing activity that will make that last lesson of the school year a little bit extra special? Look no further. My hotly anticipated Computing Summer Quiz 2021 is here and ready for you to download for free. After the year you and your students have had, you deserve a fun (and slightly educational) computing quiz. Grab your copy today and rest assured knowing that your last lesson of the academic year is sorted. Suitable for year 7 to year 10. HOW IS IT USED? Simply download the quiz and inside the zip file you’ll find a PowerPoint presentation and a PDF document. Print out one PDF document per team and run through the presentation with your class. NO OTHER PREPARATION IS REQUIRED MAKING THIS AN INCREDIBLY EASY ACTIVITY TO USE. WHAT IS INCLUDED? The quiz is made up of several rounds and each round contains 5 questions. At the end of the round you’ll see the answers allowing you to cut the quiz short if you need to. The 9 rounds this year include: Round 1 – Text Abbreviations Round 2 – Data Representation Round 3 – News Stories (2020 – 2021) Round 4 – Computational Thinking Round 5 – Hidden Celebrities Round 6 – What’s the truth? Round 7 – Computer Game Characters Round 8 – Multiple Choice Questions Round 9 – Song Lyrics, Next Line Also watch out for the sneaky bonus question which could change the scores right at the end of the quiz! What are you waiting for? Download this free quiz today and give your students a last lesson of the school year they will love. Here are just some of the reviews from happy computing teachers for last year’s Christmas quiz… These quizzes are becoming a bit of a tradition within our academy Computer Science lessons. Thanks for creating again and sharing I have used this quiz with a few classes so far and they have all really enjoyed it. Fun with a bit of computing thrown in. Thank you for sharing. So glad I’ve found your Christmas quiz resources this year, thank you! Absolutely fantastic! Thanks for sharing. This quiz is great fun, thank you very much!
Computing Quiz Summer 2022
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Computing Quiz Summer 2022

(4)
After a tough year for teachers and students you can relax and enjoy your last lessons of the year when you use this computing summer quiz. This computing summer quiz is so easy to use with virtually no preparation needed. All you need to do is print/photocopy one answer sheet per team and then run the PowerPoint presentation with your class as they compete in 9 fun and interesting question rounds. At the end of each round the answers are displayed allowing you to cut the quiz short if you need to. This quiz includes both computing rounds (to keep your management happy) and some “just for fun” rounds (to keep your students happy). The rounds this year include: Films Hardware News Stories From 2021 And 2022 Network Security Logic Puzzles Country Size Computing Facts Where Will The Robot End Up? Song Lyrics What are you waiting for? This quiz if completely FREE. Download your copy now and give your class some end of year excitement that will leave you looking like a hero. Because you are a hero and deserve a break. Click here to take a peek at my Python lesson bundle that can save you hours of preparation time.
Python Input and Output Lesson
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Python Input and Output Lesson

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Looking for a fun, engaging lesson to introduce Input and Output with Python programming? The totally FREE lesson teaches your students about using input and print statements and is perfect for students who have never programmed using Python before. Download this ready to use lesson now and become more confident in teaching programming to your pupils. It’s free so what have you got to lose? This is the first step on an exciting journey to introduce your pupils to the wonders of Python programming and embed these crucial skills that will carry them through their programming journey. This ready to use lesson is suitable for KS3 and GCSE computer science pupils. It includes an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation that includes differentiated lesson objectives, videos to teach key skills, created in authentic English by an experienced computer science teacher and the lesson also includes lots of practical programming practise. It also includes a comprehensive 3-page teacher’s lesson plan including all the answers. This ready-to-use lesson is perfect for non-specialist teachers, newly qualified teachers and teachers who are teaching Python for the first time. Duration: 1 lesson This lesson teaches pupils about: Using the Python shell Mathematical operators Input and print statements Creating and saving new programs Variable names Integers Floating-point numbers . What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and download this wonderful FREE no-prep lesson today that will keep your pupils engaged and making progress. ** [Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Lessons]**(https://www.tes.com/resources/search/?authorId=835903&q=Python Lessons&shop=nwilkin)
Malware Lesson
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Malware Lesson

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How can you teach your students about malware, in an engaging way? The key is to break up the theory into small manageable chunks and reinforce each section with a variety of activities. And that is exactly what this computer science lesson does. Why spend hours making your own resources when it is all done for you? Download this malware computing lesson today and save yourself all that preparation. WHAT IS INCLUDED? This lesson includes: an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation, differentiated lesson objectives, videos to change focus and break up the lesson, loads of individual and group tasks and questions, printable ready to use worksheets for classwork, 3 differentiated exam style questions which can be used either in the plenary or set for a homework task, a comprehensive teacher’s lesson plan including ALL THE ANSWERS. . WHAT DOES IT COVER? Suitable for GCSE Computer Science pupils following either OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) or AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520) syllabuses. With virtually no preparation (apart from photocopying the worksheets) you will be ready to teach your classes about: Passive attacks Active attacks Social engineering attacks Insider attacks Computer viruses Trojan software Spyware Adware Phishing Pharming . DURATION: 1 lesson Download this ready to use lesson now and take back control of your workload. Click here to see some more computer science lessons
History of Computers Lesson
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History of Computers Lesson

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This lesson teaches the pupils about the history of computers. It uses animations to tell the story in an interesting and entertaining way. As the pupils learn the history they fill in a worksheet which you can go through with the whole class. They then complete a word search identifying the key people in developing technology and finally they play a game to recap what they have learnt. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing and ICT classes.
Wired and Wireless Networks Knowledge Organiser
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Wired and Wireless Networks Knowledge Organiser

(3)
This visually appealing knowledge organiser is a quick summary to recap wired and wireless networks. It can help pupils revise for end of unit tests or GCSE computer science exams by including small straightforward facts that can be learnt in minutes. A powerful revision aid that your students will love. What are you waiting for? Grab your copy now and together we can boost your pupil’s confidence in understanding of wired and wireless networks. WHAT IS INCLUDED? This PDF knowledge organiser includes the important facts and a separate PDF document includes revision tips and an exam style question including a possible answer. HOW CAN I USE IT? This resource makes an ideal homework task, can be used as part of a lesson or given to pupils to help them with their revision. WHAT DOES IT COVER? This knowledge organiser includes easy to digest facts on the following topics: LAN and WAN Factors that affect eh performance of the network Hardware needed to connect a stand-alone computer to a LAN Client-server and peer-to-peer networks, Domain Name servers (DNS) Hosting The cloud and Virtual networks . Get your copy of this fantastic knowledge organiser now. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Click here to see my other computer science knowledge organisers
End of year Computing Summer Quiz 2018
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End of year Computing Summer Quiz 2018

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NEW COMPUTER SCIENCE QUIZ FOR THE END OF YEAR / SUMMER TERM 2018! A fun whole class quiz, ideally suited to keep pupils engaged and settled for the final lesson of the summer term. Suitable for year 7 to year 11. The quiz includes computer science elements as well as other fun summer related questions getting them into the summer holiday spirit. Guaranteed to make the final lesson fun before they break up for summer. Print out the answer sheets (enough for 1 per team) and then run through the quiz on the whiteboard. After each section the answers are provided allowing the quiz to easily be cut shorter if you wish. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing and ICT classes.
Scratch Lessons
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Scratch Lessons

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One of the most popular FREE teaching resources on TES. Now updated and improved to use the latest version of Scratch. This FREE 6 lesson unit can be used to teach Scratch to KS2 pupils. Grab your copy of this Scratch unit now, your students will love it. WHAT IS INCLUDED? These 6 Scratch programming lessons include attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentations which include videos to teach the key skills. Easy to follow teacher lessons plans making this suitable for non-specialist teachers. Simple student friendly self-evaluation forms which can be completed either on paper-based worksheets or as on-screen editable PDF files to show students their progress through the unit. Easy to use teacher marksheet in the form of an Excel spreadsheet making your like easier when it comes to reporting on students’ progress. 5 Scratch programs that are partially completed for your students to use along with completed versions for you to use as a demonstration of a possible solution. WHAT DOES THIS UNIT TEACH YOUR STUDENTS? This unit is suitable for pupils in KS2. It does not assume any prior programming knowledge and covers the following guidelines in the National Curriculum: design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs . **NUMBER OF LESSONS ** Recommend 6 x 1 hour lessons, although this will work with slightly shorter or longer lessons. **SUITABILITY ** This project is suitable for mixed ability classes. DIFFERENTIATION Lessons are differentiated by outcome and this is reflected in the success criteria and part of each lesson involves the students working independently, freeing up the teacher to offer more one-to-one help to the students who need it. Download this FREE unit now and take control of your workload. HAVE YOU ALSO SEEN…? You may also like my SCRATCH FLASH CARD BUNDLE to help you with your planning.
ESafety Quiz
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ESafety Quiz

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An interactive quiz for the whole class through an IWB, which can be used as a starter or plenary. Covers cyber bullying, using social media responsibly, copying information from the internet and avoiding infecting your PC with viruses.
Understanding Bitmap Images Lesson
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Understanding Bitmap Images Lesson

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This lesson teachers pupils about how bitmap images are created and processed and includes topics such as grid size, colour depth and compression techniques. The pupils practice creating simple bit map images and then find an image and practice saving the files in different formats to see the difference between lossy and lossless compression. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing and ICT classes.
COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (paper based test)
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COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (paper based test)

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This test is to be given to year 7 pupils to test their current knowledge of key computing areas. This will help you understand their current strengths and weaknesses at the beginning of year 7 and includes a useful spreadsheet which not only highlights pupils understanding but also groups it by class and even primary school to help you inform your feeder schools which areas they need to work on and may need additional help with and which areas they have covered well. The key skills covered in this test are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, saving files, programming, using the internet, e-safety and computer theory. Due to popular demand, I have interpreted the marks awarded to the old-style level descriptors (i.e. if they score 30 on the test or 45%, this would be equivalent to a 4C). Hope this helps. 2A - 5 marks (7%) 3C - 10 marks (15%) 3B - 12 marks (18%) 3A - 20 marks (30%) 4C - 28 marks (42%) 4B - 36 marks (54%) 4A - 42 marks (63%) 5C - 48 marks (72%) 5B - 54 marks (81%) 5A - 60 marks (90%) 6C - 64 marks (96%) PLEASE NOTE: This test is a paper-based test, if you would prefer the pupils to fill in an on-line document which can be either printed or sent to you electronically then please see our other set of resources from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computing-year-7-baseline-assessment-on-line-version-11355832
COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (On-line version)
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COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (On-line version)

(12)
This test is to be given to year 7 pupils to test their current knowledge of key computing areas. This will help you understand their current strengths and weaknesses at the beginning of year 7 and includes a useful spreadsheet which not only highlights pupils understanding but also groups it by class and even primary school to help you inform your feeder schools which areas they need to work on and may need additional help with and which areas they have covered well. The key skills covered in this test are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, saving files, programming, using the internet, e-safety and computer theory. Due to popular demand, I have interpreted the marks awarded to the old-style level descriptors (i.e. if they score 30 on the test or 45%, this would be equivalent to a 4C). Hope this helps. 2A - 5 marks (7%) 3C - 10 marks (15%) 3B - 12 marks (18%) 3A - 20 marks (30%) 4C - 28 marks (42%) 4B - 36 marks (54%) 4A - 42 marks (63%) 5C - 48 marks (72%) 5B - 54 marks (81%) 5A - 60 marks (90%) 6C - 64 marks (96%) PLEASE NOTE: This test is an on-line document which the pupils fill in using Word, which can be either printed or sent to you electronically for marking but if you would prefer the pupils use a traditional paper-based test then please see our other set of resources from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computing-year-7-baseline-assessment-paper-based-test-11355751
Python Glossary
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Python Glossary

(5)
In an attempt to make pupils slightly more self-sufficient, here is a 10 page PDF glossary of some key Python terms with a brief explanation of each. Ideal to have a few printed out and ready to give to pupils who need them. Can be used as part of the programming project resource bank.
Python Text Files Lesson
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Python Text Files Lesson

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The totally FREE lesson teaches your students about reading from and writing to text files with Python. This lesson is perfect for GCSE computer science classes learning how to write to an external text file and read from an external text file, displaying the results in the Python shell. Download this ready to use lesson now and become more confident in teaching more programming skills to your pupils. It’s free so what have you got to lose? This ready to use lesson is suitable for GCSE computer science pupils. This resource includes an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation that includes three videos to teach the key skills and includes lots of programming practise and the teachers lesson plan even includes complete answers to all the programming challenges. This ready-to-use lesson is perfect for non-specialist teachers, newly qualified teachers and teachers who are teaching Python for the first time. Please note: students should be familiar with using sub programs and for loops, before this lesson. Duration: 1 lesson In this lesson your students will learn about: Writing to a new text file Appending data to an existing text file Reading data from a text file The importance of closing a file Concatenating line breaks Casting from integer to strings . What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and download your FREE copy of this wonderful no-prep lesson today that will keep your pupils engaged and making progress. Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Lessons
Robust Programs Knowledge Organiser
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Robust Programs Knowledge Organiser

(2)
This visually appealing knowledge organiser is a quick summary to recap how to produce robust programs. It can help pupils revise for end of unit tests or GCSE computer science exams by including small straightforward facts that can be learnt in minutes. A powerful revision aid that your students will love. What are you waiting for? Grab your copy now and together we can boost your pupil’s confidence in understanding how to create robust programs. WHAT IS INCLUDED? This PDF knowledge organiser includes the important facts and a separate PDF document includes revision tips and an exam style question including a possible answer. HOW CAN I USE IT? This resource makes an ideal homework task, can be used as part of a lesson or given to pupils to help them with their revision. WHAT DOES IT COVER? This knowledge organiser includes easy to digest facts on the following topics: Input sanitisation Validation checks Planning for contingencies Anticipating misuse Authentication Adding comments, indentation and using sensible variable names Iterative and final/terminal testing Syntax and logical errors Using a test table . Get your copy of this fantastic knowledge organiser now. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Click here to see my other computer science knowledge organisers
Python Input and Output Programming Challenges
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Python Input and Output Programming Challenges

(2)
Are you looking for some ready to use Python programming challenges that can be easily incorporated into your lessons? This worksheet can be used as a classroom activity, for a homework task or as a ready-to-use task for quick finishers, making this an invaluable resource to have in your teacher kit. Download this ready to use worksheet now and take control of your workload. Use it immediately or simply keep it in reserve for when you need it. WHAT IS INCLUDED? This 2-page PDF printable handout includes: example code, a task to read code, a task to correct code and 4 practical programming challenges. . You even have a separate PDF with possible answers. The diversity of challenges that are included allows pupils to develop a variety of useful programming skills. This resource is perfect for established computer science teachers, non-specialist teachers or newly qualified teachers. What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and grab your copy of this wonderful worksheet today that will keep your pupils engaged and making real progress. Everything is done for you which will save you hours of preparation time. Please note: This resource is a non-editable PDF FREE BONUS PRODUCT INCLUDED As a special thank you for purchasing this product I am pleased to be able to also include a surprise FREE bonus gift. This gift is one of our complete resources which we will usually charge full price for but is yours absolutely free when you purchase this product. Just our little way of saying thank you to our valued customers. I hope you enjoy it and get use out of it, with my compliments. Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Challenges