Catch up on Coding
An inset plan for Primary Schools….
Coding has now been in Primary Schools for a term. This post looks at how you could spend an hour or so reviewing teacher resources and ideas which for teachers to check their knowledge.
Key Resources:
The Computing At School Progression Chart can be found here.
Somerset Authority site here has great links and ideas.
Specific language use for Scratch from Somerset
Planning and progression support from Simon Haughton’s website
A really easy to read mini-book by Simon Haughton.
Digital Storytelling – royalty free resources and other ideas here.
Ideas, map packs and resources for beebots here.
Barefoot Computing – excellent resources and ideas here
select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
Begin with a look at progression – specific focus on language and vocabulary.
Starting with EYFS: – Key ideas here revolve around providing opportunities to talk about technology- using age appropriate vocabulary and language.
Some ideas are here
There is also a consideration about language and vocabulary for teacher knowledge- this site here is a great source of information.
2. Teacher knowledge – where to start! What is coding?
This is a good time to consider what coding actually is – and how much we, as teachers, are confident with the teaching of it. Good online starter activities can be found here – at code.org. A discussion around why we are teaching coding would be useful – will it support other areas of the school curriculum? Are we teaching discreet units- or should it feed into other areas of the curriculum? Much of this will be school specific, but there are some obvious links…
It is also important here to stress that we need to model the good use of technology as well. Consider how often we use technology as part of our professional and personal life. Do the pupils in your class see this? Have you used apps such as Skype to connect your classrooms? Started emailing with other schools? Collected ideas and thoughts with a service such as Padlet? These type of activities are super easy – but model how technology can be used to support learning.
3. Linking our curriculum with Scratch, and Espresso Coding – iPad apps and on paper!
Quizzes
Digital Storytelling
Beebots – a huge fan of bee bots – they can be used for maths, literacy and exploratory activities. (Video from TTS)
Lego
Other areas to look at – how the internet works:
E-Safety:
4. Taking it further….
Unit plans: Consider how specific areas of your curriculum can be used to teach the computing curriculum. There are many great ideas in the resources (above) – and an example from a previous year (below)
Subject Coordinators, or particularly interested teachers may wish to take on further study for coding – Code Avengers offers free introductory courses. Future Learns excellent MOOCS also offer a free teach computing course.
How is the computing curriculum settling in at your school? We would love to hear!