In this lesson, students learn about file handling commands in Python, through a poem activity. The task is to create a program to read three poems from three different text files, and pick random lines from each poem to create a new one, which they have to write in a new file. This lesson helps prepare students for their Non-Exam Assessment. There are mini-tasks (match-up with extensions) that students can do before delving into the poem activity, to familiarise themselves with the file handling commands. Students are provided with the worksheets and a PowerPoint slide with the file commands for easy reference (this can be emailed or printed and handed to them). The bundle also includes the text files that contain the poems, these can be emailed or provided to students before they start the main task. The lesson PPT includes notes to help non-specialist teachers, as well as clear Learning Objectives. The lesson can also be taught to high-ability KS3 students, depending on the level of their programming skills.

Second in a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. In this lesson, students are acquainted with variables, if & while statements, through practical work on programming with MicroPython (the Python version that is used with MicroBits). All activities are fully differentiated by task, students can start easy and go as far as their ability allows. Notes are included with the slides, which is helpful for non-specialist or cover teachers. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sorting Hat' project (optional but very useful)

In this lesson, students learn about lists in Python. Through various activities and a worksheet, they will become familiar with lists and the commands used to handle them in Python programming. A match-up activity PPT and a worksheet are provided together with the lesson PPT. The presentation includes comments to help non-specialist teachers, and it includes clear Learning Objectives.

Fifth in a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. This is an assessment lesson, which aims to test students' understanding of programming concepts and MicroPython syntax learned in the previous four lessons. The assessment revolves around creating a 'Sorting Hat' program. The tasks are fully differentiated so all students can access the lower level, and gradually build up in complexity. Detailed assessment criteria are given in a slide, so students know exactly what they have to do to achieve each level. The assessment sheet, as well as a MicroPython help sheet that students can use as a reference during the assessment, are provided. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sort

First of a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. In this introductory lesson, there is a discussion on how a motherboard compares with the MicroBit, and then lots of practical work on programming it with MicroPython (the Python version that is used with MicroBits). All activities are fully differentiated by task, students can start easy and go as far as their ability allows. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sorting Hat' project (optional but very useful)

Third in a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. In this lesson, students are acquainted with lists (basically, Python arrays) and the 'random' function, through practical work on programming with MicroPython (the Python version that is used with MicroBits). All activities are fully differentiated by task, students can start easy and go as far as their ability allows. Notes are included with the slides, which is helpful for non-specialist or cover teachers. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sorting Hat' project (optional but very useful)

Sixth in a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. In this lesson, students have the opportunity to respond to feedback given on the assessment they wrote during the previous lesson. The teacher should have marked/given feedback on the assessments, and in the first half of this lesson students get to respond by improving their work appropriately and possibly improve their level. Detailed assessment criteria are given in a slide, so students know exactly what they have to do to achieve each level. In the second half of the lesson, students have to create a poster to advertise the MicroBit. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sort

Fourth in a series of six lessons to introduce the BBC MicroBits and Python programming to Year 7 students. In this lesson, students get to program their MicroBits to use the buttons and accelerometer together, through the 'shake' gesture, triggering actions (displaying text/images), through practical work on programming with MicroPython (the Python version that is used with MicroBits). All activities are fully differentiated by task, students can start easy and go as far as their ability allows. Notes are included with the slides, which is helpful for non-specialist or cover teachers. A worksheet that accompanies the lesson slides is also provided, with differentiated tasks. The series of lessons builds up to a mini-project where students have to create a "Harry Potter Sorting Hat" with a MicroBit, but they can also be taught without reference to the project. The project assessment sheets, as well as a help sheet, are included in the bundle. All lesson PPTs include clear Learning Objectives. Requirements for these lessons are: - A full set of class MicroBits with USB cables - mu editor installed on student PCs - MicroBit battery packs for the 'Sorting Hat' project (optional but very useful)

A lesson about string manipulation with Python, using concepts from biology to make the topic more engaging and relevant to real-life applications. Students have an introduction into DNA and genes, which are basically long strings as far as Computing is concerned. They are then taught the Python commands for string handling, and go on to practice them through a few exercises. The last part of the lesson includes a larger task where students have to use the string handling methods they learned to solve a biology problem. The task can also be used as homework. All activities are fully differentiated by task, students can start easy and go as far as their ability allows. Notes are included with the slides, which is helpful for non-specialist or cover teachers. Lesson PPT includes a starter "bell work" to get students settled, and clear Learning Objectives.

In this lesson, KS4 students learn about Selection in Python ('IF' statements). They start with a couple of unplugged activities that help them familiarise themselves with the syntax and indentation of IF statements, learning to read and understand the order of execution of commants in a fun and engaging way. They move on to a worksheet adapted with differentiated levels of attainment. The PPT slides are complete with notes to help non-specialist teachers.

Letting students play on CodeCombat needn't just be an almost-holidays lesson without purpose or assessment! This lesson takes students through the free levels of CodeCombat (an online game that teaches students Python programming, which is required to play the game) in a structured way. The presentation instructs students how to log on and start playing, and it includes numerous differentiated questions. Teacher stops play for students to write their answers in a Word or PowerPoint document, then play can resume. Questions are differentiated by ability and depth, with questions out of Bloom's higher-order strands included for the more able students. The lesson can be used as an alternative assessment, or for a fun (but structured) Computer Science period.

A help sheet to be used as a MicroPython command reference by students engaging in independent work with the MicroBit. Most basic MicroPython commands and statements for KS3 are listed, in a visual format not dissimilar to Scratch, so KS3 students can be nudged to relate the two ("it's basically choosing the right commands and putting them in the correct order, you just have to type them instead of dragging them").