An ideal plan for a Christmas themed coding lesson! This plan involves a Christmas tree that has sparkles lighting up as the baubles, but it is also possible to use other Christmas-related ideas (for example Christmas cards) that have the same code.

This sample of a teacher guide introduces basic robotics using Lego NXT hardware and software The general nature as well as the origins of robotics are covered. NXT robots are then introduced, as well as some basic mathematical and other considerations for using robots in the classroom. The importance and impact of...

This cross curricular activity includes science content from Year Four of the primary curriculum. It introduces programming and control, linked to the outside world through sensors - in this case, the computer's built-in microphone or a peripheral microphone. Programs are written using Scratch (online or offline)...

This Royal Academy of Engineering resource teaches students coding through a series of physical computing and practical activities that explore the essential role engineers have in supporting the emergency services and search and rescue missions.

Combining plugged activities, using a Crumble Controller, and...

Pupils can explore the characteristics of the surface of planet Mars and will learn how to navigate a planetary robotic vehicle on to it. The resource focuses on coding and uses Open Roberta Lab which is an online simulation tool. Pupils will become familiar with the main characteristics of the Martian surface and...

This presentation guides students through an explanation & coded simulation of Bubble Sort. Students can add to this later by adding another option for Merge Sort with the potential to then measure the time taken for each algorithm to form a...

Two worked example coding challenges that are useful for teachers as a teaching aid. These can be used to illustrate the relationship between a flow chart, pseudo-code and program code.

• Fruit Machine...

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit. This resource focusses on pupils designing, programming and using a BBC micro:bit to find other micro:bits in a class treasure hunt.

In this activity pupils will make use of the BBC micro:bit to design and create a programmable...

Sonic Pi is a programming environment that lets you create music and other sounds with code while learning programming concepts at the same time, is included with Raspbian (the Raspberry Pi OS), but it is...

This resource consists of two documents. One is a theory sheet and the other a structured workbook for students to complete. This would form a useful independent learning resource so could be issued as a homework task.

This diagram supports the understanding of computational thinking, a skill in the primary computing curriculum. Students studying computing will gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers.

Computational thinking is the thought processes involved in...

A comprehensive guide taken from the Quickstart guide to what computational thinking is and what it might look like in the primary classroom. It involves classroom activities which include:

• Writing algorithms and looking for patterns (generalisations) in comparison to other students’ algorithms.
...

This is a very comprehensive resource covering a range of pathfinding algorithm activities using graphs. It includes the Knight’s Tour puzzle as well as other examples. This is a highly readable resource that could be used for smaller activities including homework.

Published by the Mathematics Centre at the University of Chichester, this booklet describes ideas that have been used with students aged 9-11 , although there are indications that older students would benefit from them too. In the first part of the booklet much use is...