Minecraft - you may have heard of it, it's "a thing". Minecraft phonics. Letters a-z and a corresponding Minecraft term to accompany them. Images and words which will excite your students while still helping them learn the phonetic sounds and formation of all 26 letters. a - apple, b - bricks, c - cake, d - door, e - enchantment table, f - furnace g - glow stone, h - hopper, i - iron bars, j - jack o'Lantern, k - kitten, l - lever m - minecart, n - nether portal, o - obsidian, p - piston, q - quartz stairs r - redstone torch, s - sign, t - tripwire, u - update, v- vines, w - water, x - xbox, y - yellow wool, z - zombie pigman! Fully editable for you to adapt and fit to your students!

These differentiated Scratch Jr sequence sheets challenge children to convert from block commands to pseudo code and back again. Explaining what a command will do and in turn how a sequence (algorithm) works, step by step, is a great way to build fluency and confidence in computational thinking. Reordering commands into the correct sequence builds a greater understanding of the way algorithms work and logical thinking skills. Prepared on A4 sheets and with various challenges (Sequencing, writing pseudo code, drawing what happens in order, completing cloze missing word challenges and describing the commands) Scratch Jr projects on paper before building them with the device. Decomposition - the task of breaking something down into small steps is a key skill when learning to use code and solve problems. These activites to make this into a fun and enjoyable experience for young learners who can then test the scripts on the App to see what they do. This reflective process can really open up quality discussions and opportunities for children to explain their thinking. ScratchJr serves as a beginner’s coding language, empowering children between the ages of 5 and 7 to craft their own captivating stories and animations. By simply connecting graphical programming blocks, kids can bring characters to life, making them move, speak, dance, and interact. With the paint editor, children can customize characters, incorporating their unique voices, sounds, and even personal photos. The programming blocks serve as the magic wand, enabling children to animate their characters and unleash their imagination. ScratchJr is available free from the Apple and Android stores,plus on desktops using the GitHub site. Great starter projects can be found by searching for ScrathJr’s own site too, to help students learn what the blocks can do.

These A4, A3 and A2 sheets challenge learners to fix broken code sequences. With opportunities to draw or write the corrections students can really show their understanding of the command sequences. These differentiated worksheets, chellenge students to identify “bugs” and offer up solutions in the form of a written sentence or a drawing. This pack also includes editable blank pages so you can create cut and paste your own activities too. Using these as a whole class on in smaller groups can really open up quality discussions and opportunities for children to explain their thinking and help build coding confidence and fluency from a young age. Scratch Jr serves as a beginner’s coding language, empowering children between the ages of 5 and 7 to craft their own captivating stories and animations. By simply connecting graphical programming blocks, kids can bring characters to life, making them move, speak, dance, and interact. With the paint editor, children can customize characters, incorporating their unique voices, sounds, and even personal photos. The programming blocks serve as the magic wand, enabling children to animate their characters and unleash their imagination. ScratchJr is available free from the Apple and Android stores, plus on desktops using the GitHub site. Great starter projects can be found on the ScratchJr Site for free help showing students what the blocks can do.

SWF file so open with Internet Explorer or other browsers. Numbers, ordering, sequencing, game for PC, rotation activity Children complete challenges in order, sequencing 6 numbers. 1-6 3-8 7-12 10-15 12-17 15-20 Children have a time limit and can progress through 6 simple stages to completion.

Activity sheet with a large world map in the centre. Labels for the continents and oceans at the top and bottom, students can cut and stick or link up with lines. They're then asked to find their home country and label it to understand where it is in the world. Great to photocopy onto A3 to increase the map size.

5 x sheets to help learn simple CVC spelling patterns 1 x Smart Notebook with the CVC words on to display on an IWB Each sheet looking at a particular vowel in CVC words. Children asked to complete the three words and then think of (draw and write) their own word with the vowel in the middle. A - cat, tap, pan E - net, ten, hen I - dig, pin, bin O - dog, mop, pot U - hut, duck, sun

Reflecting on student learning, especially in coding with platforms like Scratch Jr. in primary school, is crucial for several reasons: Assessment of Understanding: Reflection allows teachers to assess how well students grasp coding concepts and apply them in practical situations. Use these reflection sheets to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Feedback Loop: Reflective practices provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their coding projects. This feedback loop is essential for students to understand what they did well and where they can make enhancements in their coding skills. Metacognition Development: Reflecting on their coding experiences helps students develop metacognitive skills, which are essential for becoming independent learners. Through reflection, students learn to think about their own thinking processes, identify strategies that work best for them, and make adjustments accordingly. This metacognitive awareness is valuable not only in coding but in various other aspects of learning and problem-solving. Identification of Misconceptions: Reflective practices can help uncover misconceptions that students may have about coding concepts. By analyzing their thought processes and discussing their coding projects, educators can identify and address these misconceptions early on, preventing them from becoming entrenched and hindering further learning. Promotion of Growth Mindset: Encouraging reflection fosters a growth mindset among students. When students reflect on their coding experiences, they learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. They become more resilient in the face of difficulties and are more likely to persevere when encountering coding problems. Documentation of Progress: Reflection serves as a means of documenting students’ progress in coding. By keeping records of students’ reflections and the evolution of their coding skills over time, teachers can track individual progress and tailor instruction to meet students’ needs effectively. Reflection plays a pivotal role in enhancing student learning in coding. It empowers students to become more proficient coders, fosters deeper understanding of coding concepts, and promotes a growth mindset conducive to lifelong learning.

21 pages Two commands on each A4 page Plus three sizes of cut outs (Small, Medium. Large) Using cut-out blocks to teach coding and sequencing skills relevant to Scratch Junior can be a hands-on and engaging approach for children. Here’s how it can be done: Mental Recall: Provide children with physical printed “blocks” representing different Scratch Jr commands and actions. Challenge students to pick a card and then explain the action it represents. Sequencing Activities: Encourage children to arrange the cards in a sequence to create a series of actions or commands. Start with simple sequences, such as moving a character from one point to another, and gradually increase complexity as children become more proficient. Algorithm Design: Teach children to design algorithms using the blocks to solve specific tasks or challenges. For example, they can design algorithms to navigate a maze, collect items, or complete a puzzle within Scratch Junior. Debugging Practice: Introduce the concept of debugging by intentionally introducing errors into the sequences of blocks. Encourage children to identify and correct these errors to achieve the desired outcome. Storytelling and Creativity: Encourage children to use the blocks to create interactive stories, games, or animations within Scratch Junior. They can sequence events, movements, and dialogues to bring their creative ideas to life. Collaborative Projects: Foster collaboration among children by assigning group projects where they work together to design and implement coding sequences using the blocks. Collaboration not only enhances coding skills but also promotes teamwork and communication. Reflection and Iteration: After completing coding activities using the blocks, encourage children to reflect on their process. Ask questions such as what worked well, what challenges they encountered, and how they could improve their sequences. Encourage iterative refinement of their coding designs based on reflection. Integration with Scratch Junior: Once children are comfortable with coding concepts using the cards and manipulatives, transition to using Scratch Junior on a device. They can apply their understanding of sequencing and coding to create projects digitally within the Scratch Junior environment. By using cut outs and flash cards to teach coding and sequencing skills, children can develop a strong foundation in computational thinking and problem-solving while having fun and being actively engaged in the learning process. This approach also provides a tangible and accessible way for children to understand abstract coding concepts before transitioning to digital platforms like Scratch Junior.

Scratch Jr. Assessment Activity Worksheets which challenge your students to decode simple Scratch Jr. Scripts by either drawing or writing what they think will happen. 18 scenarios in each set plus example answers and blank templates for students to design their own. Combine literacy learning and sequencing language with logic and reasoning to improve your students understanding of computer coding and give them chances to practice how to explain a sequence of events or commands. Differentiated for all abilities, covering Sequencing Logic Green Flag, finger tap and bump triggers Movement Speed control Loops and repeats Size effects Appearance - Hide and show Messages Sound Linear and Parallel progression

New and Updated for 2024 Resources Added: Labeling activites for many modern devices including, Laptops, Desktops, iPads, iPhone, Smart Watches, Consoles (PS1, PS5 and Nintendo Switch), Controllers, VR Headset and Magic Mouse. Keyword activities for learning, discussion and recall Presentation to introduce main common components and what they do Crossword and Word Search review resources Write your own clue opportunities for Crossword Puzzles Students are invited to look at the parts of modern digital devices and identify and name the main components they find plus discuss the similarities and differences inside evolving technology design. **Components identified include ** Battery/Power supplies, Input devices (keyboard/Mouse/Pen), RAM, Storage (HDD/SSD), Motherboard (CPU/ GPU), Casing, Heat Sinks, Fans, Sensors, Ports, and more How to use these resources Each type of activity plays a crucial role in reinforcing understanding and retention of the keywords. Whole Class Learning Introduce each component and its function using the presentation provided. Encourage students to ask questions and relate the components to devices they use. Show-and-Tell: Use real-life components like a RAM card, hard drive, or a dismantled old computer or tablet. This hands-on view will help cement their understanding of where these components might be found and their physical appearance. Matching Games: Students match component names with their functions and pictures displayed on the board. This can be done using sticky notes or digital drag-and-drop tools if using interactive whiteboard software. Paired Work Flashcard Creation: Children create flashcards for each component to encourage discussion and deeper understanding. Role-Play and guessing games: Pairs of students can choose a component and prepare a short role-play that explains their component’s function. For example, one student could be the CPU and another could be the RAM, demonstrating how they interact within the device. Quiz Each Other/20 Questions: Students can quiz each other trying to guess/find out the correct component. Solo Recall Labeling Exercise: All students try to label the parts using the keywords they have learned. Crossword Puzzle: Create crosswords and the clues based on the functions of each component to help remember the terminology and functions. Short Answer Quiz: Conduct a short quiz where students write the function of each component. This can help teachers assess individual understanding and retention of the keywords. Make their own presentation about the 5 most important components in a digital device - ie - HDD, CPU, GPU, RAM and Sound Card.