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.

This is a half term's work on gaining skills for the new 9-1 Edexcel computer science course. Based upon the new Crawdale NEA, it focusses mainly on reading and writing to text files. It includes practice of splitting text files up, and concatenating to create memberID. Sub routines, and practice creating menus with IF statements is also brought in, but more as a practice, than explicitly as lessons. There is a test in week 6, and a mark scheme based on 9-1. Anyone wishing to use Crawdale NEA SAM material would find this a very useful learning tool to begin with. It has been aimed at high ability year 9, or low ability year 10.

An engaging resource whereby learners work at their own pace through 4 fairly simple challenges. They assume knowledge of lists, random, if, elif, concatenation. The answers are in there, so would need to be deleted by the class teacher. There is extension for each scenario. The pack also contains a test plan to introduce learners to formal testing of their scripts.

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.

Whole lesson explaining how def is used in Python. Creating main procedures, and calling subroutines within them, using Rhianna lyrics. Practical task decomposing cooking a Sunday dinner. Homelearning task included. Ideal for lower ability, or younger children, to teach the basics of subroutines, procedures that don't calculate a value, or use global variables.

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

A one hour lesson on understanding how the while loop works with a counter. Students have the opportunity to think about a problem, seeing a WHILE flow diagram, reading some Pseudocode for a while loop, then get the chance to program a 'buggy' while loop, with expected output given. The solutions, and a homework task are also included. This lesson is aimed at either low ability KS4 or high ability KS3, and kept my youngsters engaged with it's problem solving nature.

Learners find out how to abstract, write pseudocode, create a flowchart (algorithm) and then apply this to Python coding, using an IF, ELSE to create a quiz question. The idea is to teach the learners that solving a problem doesn't start with typing code into Python. It shows definitions and examples to introduce the concepts, and ends with a practical programming task.

This is a whole E-safety package with five PowerPoint presentations / lessons. There is one for each year group from 7-11. The PowerPoints contain links to films, objectives, tasks, discussion / reflection topics. Tasks can easily be pasted to Word to become individual tasks instead of paired or group discussion / debate. These have been used successfully in PSEE lessons, and also form part of an isolation room pack, and for vulnerable young people who may damage their reputation.

Based upon a problem solving approach. Learners are asked to code in Python to solve several problems in Python, and also get an introduction to basic Pseudocode to enable them to read, interpret and write Pseudocode. Possible solutions are included. This is a one hour lesson, aimed at year 10 lower ability, and was used successfully with higher attainers too.

Introduction to using FOR loops for a range of items and a specified number of time, or for each entry in a list. Comparison with infinite WHILE TRUE loops. Ideal for lower ability, or younger children to understand the basics. Practical programming task included.

This unit of work will easily fill a half term with teaching of: inputs and outputs Variables IF statements Delays Sub routines Iteration Lists All in the form of a memory game ‘you enter a cave, do you turn left or right?’ This is best suited to students who have a little knowledge of inputs outputs and IF, and can be used to expand upon that knowledge. I cannot upload Py files, but if you email me annemariebradshaw@hotmail.com I will send teacher files to you (there are screen shots of the coding in the unit though)

This resource will last around three lessons. It ties in error types such as syntax, and logic and relates them to what the learner will find in Python. It covers how to spot errors, what the common pop ups are, variable name errors, and the most common ones- casting errors, and the terrible indents. I have clearly gone through ‘belonging’ with indentation, and how to get a fix. Trace tables get a mention with one exam paper showing a for loop and a print statement outside of the loop. Many learners lost 6 marks for not understanding ‘belonging to the loop’. Well not anymore! There are a bank of Python files to go with this resource, but I cannot upload them here. If you email me annemariebradshaw@hotmail.com I can send those to you to. This is a fresh way of teaching errors, and also a good way of embedding Python coding skills, meaning that in the assessment they will be able to help themselves debug their own code. There is

PowerPoint slides with worksheets on binary, and on algorithms to flow charts

This bundle was created due to a lack of Computer Science past papers. It contains two specimen Unit 1 papers. One follows the official specimen paper quite strictly, with scenarios, and numbers changed. The second words questions in a different way. Both have official type covers, marking criteria, format, and layout. They also have a mark scheme each. There is over 25 hours work here, so pick up a bargain, save yourself some time!

Introduction to Python specifically aimed at new users in year 9. There are 5 lessons on a separate PPT, with LO, bronze silver gold outcomes and homelearning activity on each. Then there is a test lesson. The focus is to drill down variable names, to call variables, to use a tuple, then compare that with the use of an indexed list. These could easily be added to for challenge in years 10 and even year 11. Unfortunately I can't add the Python script for lesson 2 - insult generator, but the script is on a slide so can easily be typed in.

Take all the misery out of creating engaging starters with these 7 word searches on key terms. There is one for each half term of lessons. They are printable, and cover terms such as: Logic, Algorithm, Assembly, Buffering, Boolean, Bus, Decryption, Debugging, Database, Hyperlink. Suitable for key stages 3 and 4, possibly 2.

Take all the work out of creating starters, or plenaries with these 24 anagrams of keywords. Simply copy and paste onto your lesson slide when you are covering that particular topic. An example is: Mittens fate - which of course is..................IF statement!

More than 70 pages of revision notes. The whole Edexcel course broken down in note form. There is a contents page for easy access too. Special offer for the exam this week!

An engaging resources which allows the learners to find errors marked with hashtags. The slides include the broken code (fixed code is on the teacher slides, separate and can also be received via email). Even if you choose not to use this for debugging exercises, it is useful for programming ideas for beginners to copy. After each script the learners are encouraged to state initial tests, actual tests, in preparation for GCSE NEA work. My learners raced up the stairs to start on these tasks, very enthusiastically. The topics include maths, strings, lists, tuples, concatenation, for loops, sub routines and appending to lists. The scripts can also be used as base scripts for other ideas. At the end of the half term of work, there is a challenge project, worded like a very watered down GCSE project. Enjoy!