I have a long history in teaching Computer Science at secondary level. Most of my resources are related to the Edexcel syllabus, but in CS computing is computing, and it is all much the same!. I like to teach programming in a way that the kids will really 'get' using things relevant in their lives, like Beyonce, and Adidas!
I have a long history in teaching Computer Science at secondary level. Most of my resources are related to the Edexcel syllabus, but in CS computing is computing, and it is all much the same!. I like to teach programming in a way that the kids will really 'get' using things relevant in their lives, like Beyonce, and Adidas!
These scripts start very easy for absolute beginners, and build upon knowledge. There are ten, which could be turned into 10 lessons by just adding starter, plenary, LO's etc. They are fun ways of introducing IF, ELIF, WHILE, tuples, data types, maths, importing functions, using answers as inputs. I've used them in KS3 for lower ability to copy, and get used to accuracy, particularly in indents, and EOL string errors. I've also introduced the concept to KS4, and use them only as a reference point in a laminated book. There will be a second resource which focusses on calling sub routines with global variables, allowing the learners to practice skills needed for GCSE computer science.
These are five ideas using Python for those with a little existing knowledge. They could be used as teaching materials, for learners to copy, as debug exercises, or be presented as problems to be solved. They include a bubble sort, a Caesar cipher, rock paper scissors game, a ghost behind the door game, and an introduction to tkinter imported function
This year the GCSE students will have 50% of the course examined online. I have created 8 questions which scaffold the learning up to the point of the sample online tests. The cover: If, iteration, len, global, local variables, constants, data types and coercion, lists, turtle, libraries and more. There is a PowerPoint of exercises to give to the learner, and another with teacher solutions after each question. My students found it fun and engaging, and I am confident they won’t flip out now when they see the #comment format of the summer examinations. Tes will not allow me to add py files here, so the slides are screen shots, they can either type in the codes, or you can email me to get the code files and solutions annemariebradshaw@hotmail.com.
This unit of work took around 3 hours, will explanations for lower ability coders. The exercises can also be used for improving code, with a little tweak in the questions given.
I hope your students enjoy it as much as mine did.
This is a PPT resource for GCSE Computer Science. It takes the learners through libraries, constants, variables, globals, sub programs. There is a section where the learners are questioned on what they have learnt. The answers are on the teacher PPT. There is also a jumbled up coding task, email me for the Python file if you don’t want to type it out.
This lesson introduces Year 7 to their new micro:bit, and gives them experience of a writing, compiling, and running their first ever program. There are Afl questions at the end.
Here are six starters, or plenaries for embedding computational thinking, searching and sorting algorithms. There is one for each lesson in a half term of work. They are printable. More suited to key stages 3 and 4. Good also for drumming in the key terms for revision as a whole lesson.
These cover reading and writing to files. They have LOs, homework, and tasks set. There are two CSV files to be used in the lessons for reading and writing. Both lessons were graded outstanding with different staff members delivering them.
To prepare for paper 2, I have included lessons for using parameters in sub programs, and linear searches. All lessons include the code (email me for this) and they scaffold and mirror the questions the exam board ask. For example, rearranging lines, debugging, choosing the correct line. These lessons will scaffold the more advanced questions aimed at levels 7,8,9. These particularly match paper 2 sample assessment.
These lessons are in preparation for Paper 2, and show how to create a linear search. Learners are reminded first of how linear searches work, the advantages and disadvantages. Then following exam board rhetoric, there are debug exercises, exercises where learners choose the correct line. An exercise in moving lines about. It is all outstanding practice for the exam, and follows on from the lengthy question in the specimen paper.
I am unable to upload Py files, but if you message me, I can email them to you.
48 questions aimed at only the topics given by the exam board in the slimmed down version. These are accompanied by a PPT which includes a brief of each of the new topics. Work is great for revision, individually, or paired work. These will take you right up to paper 1 exam. The questions can be used in conjunction with any of the text books, or even GCSE Bitesize. Make sure learners are only focussed on what will be on the exam, and not the other stuff!
This is a lesson that was graded outstanding. Not just making a Scratch animation, but linking the constructs of for and while loops, if then statements, delays, and subroutines with explanation, then opportunity for the learners to look at code and see the structures. They can then make an animation using what they’ve learnt. Finally there is opportunity for peer marking / assessment, and self assessment.
This is a full one hour lesson for basic skills in Scratch. It is suitable for year 5 up to year 8. There is an extension task included. The lesson builds upon the introductory aquarium lesson, but can be used as a standalone with a slide added to explain x and y co-ordinates. The learners loved how they could use this coding and create something personal to them (the first letter of their name).
Contains learning objectives / outcomes, and has several engaging exercises to embed the learning. One of which being a Python script which can be easily abstracted. Also, the script can be used to teach sub routines as part of the decomposition / abstraction cycle.
The software is introduced as a story told by the Scratch cat himself! It covers all of the basics needed before they begin programming, with introduction to the window, creating, or importing stages, and importing sprites. There is a task, and an introduction to the next exciting lesson. Can either be read to the children, or given to them as a self follow tutorial.
Dingbats are images that make up keywords. I've used this as an end of term whole class game which really engaged the learners in thinking about Computer Science key terms. Great for literacy too. Or they could be used as a starter to hook learners as they enter the room. More suited to year 9 and above, but can be used in KS3 where the learners have been exposed to key terms such as open source, firewall, MP3, magnetic hard drive etc.
I have created a resource that all kids will be able to do at home. Basically it is about designing a computer game, splash screens, characters, game play. It is really for KS3, but could do lower ability KS4. It is self explanatory so they can go on Google Classroom or your sharing platform- download, complete and upload. It follows Identify, Analysis, Evaluation, and Testing as a systems life cycle, and also touches on decomposition of tasks. Together we are better!