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Programmer's Paradise

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(based on 22 reviews)

Computer Science resources for KS3-4, with a focus on programming. Programming resources include Scratch, Microbit, Small Basic and Visual Basic for now, with other languages potentially in the future, such as C#. I have worked with the AQA specification throughout my teaching career and so these resources will be suitable for anyone teaching the new AQA spec. Please review any resources, suggestions are welcome for improvements etc.

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Computer Science resources for KS3-4, with a focus on programming. Programming resources include Scratch, Microbit, Small Basic and Visual Basic for now, with other languages potentially in the future, such as C#. I have worked with the AQA specification throughout my teaching career and so these resources will be suitable for anyone teaching the new AQA spec. Please review any resources, suggestions are welcome for improvements etc.
KS2 / KS3 Rock paper scissors tutorial - subroutines
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Rock paper scissors tutorial - subroutines

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This lesson is for students who have completed the introductory unit of Scratch, or have other experience in Scratch or other programming languages. The lesson focuses on creating a game using subroutines, and includes a presentation which introduces the task, the complete code for demonstration purposes and starter code for the students. There is also a tutorial for the students to complete the creation of the game following the demonstration.
KS2 Scratch Controlling sprites drawing program
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 Scratch Controlling sprites drawing program

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Included in this resource is a short PowerPoint presentation which includes a quick starter and introduces the idea of using Scratch to create an Etch-a-sketch type drawing program. I usually then show them the finished program, and then give them instructions on creating the sprite, and moving it with the arrow keys. After that, they begin to work on their own programs and use the tutorial if they are stuck or need a hint. If there is time at the end, they can have a drawing competition using their newly created programs!
KS2 Scratch Iteration disco animation lesson
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 Scratch Iteration disco animation lesson

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Included is a short powerpoint presentation, with a sample program and tutorial instructions for making the animation program on Scratch. After the starter task on the Powerpoint I give them a look at the finished program, before starting a new program and showing them the first few steps. After this they begin creating their own programs, using the tutorial for reference or if they are stuck.
KS2 / KS3 Scratch Falling Fruit Game
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Scratch Falling Fruit Game

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This lesson is based around using indefinite iteration in Scratch, through creating a game where the player catches randomly falling objects. This resource includes the full game code, a presentation to introduce indefinite iteration, and a tutorial for students to create the game.
KS2 / KS3 Scratch Scrolling Maze Tutorial
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Scratch Scrolling Maze Tutorial

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This resource is for students who have completed an introductory unit of Scratch or who are older and more experienced in programming. The lesson is based around creating a scrolling maze, which is more advanced than a normal maze game, and introduces variables. It includes a tutorial, Powerpoint to introduce variables, the full game code and starter code for the students to begin programming with.
GCSE Brute Force Malware Programming Lesson
MrHawes8MrHawes8

GCSE Brute Force Malware Programming Lesson

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A programming lesson designed to help the students improve their programming skills, as well as learning about brute force attacks. The lesson begins with a research task and ends with a step-by-step activity to create a program that will guess a password that the user has entered. Included is the PowerPoint presentation, programming instructions for students, and the final code in a text file for the teacher.
Programming Malware GCSE Lesson
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Programming Malware GCSE Lesson

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GCSE lesson based around making the malware/cyber security topic related to programming. Looked online but couldn't find anything useful so created a 'virus' program to teach the students without giving them information on how to do anything illegal. Code works in Visual Basic, and is a good way to get the students hooked. Also worth mentioning that the 'virus' they create doesn't actually do anything malicious, it just appears that way, and gives them a chance to practice their programming techniques. Then they have instructions on the worksheet that they follow through until they have a working program. Powerpoint is also included.
KS2 / KS3 Scratch Breakout Game - subroutines
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2 / KS3 Scratch Breakout Game - subroutines

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This resource is for students who have experience in Scratch or other programming languages, including those who have completed the introductory unit of Scratch. The resource contains a powerpoint presentation to introduce subroutines, and a tutorial for students to create the game. It also includes the full game for demonstration and debugging purposes.
KS2 Scratch sequencing lesson materials
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KS2 Scratch sequencing lesson materials

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Included in this resource is a tutorial for programming a joke animation on Scratch, as well as a sample program. I usually begin by showing the finished program, then give them some step-by-step instructions. When it is their turn to program, the tutorial is made available to give them any help they need and remind them of what needs to be added to their program next.
GCSE Bitmap Image File Size Calculator Programming Lesson
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GCSE Bitmap Image File Size Calculator Programming Lesson

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This lesson is based around programming skills and knowledge, as the students work through the worksheet (on the computers is best a they can copy and paste code snippets into the other document). Once they have answered the questions on the worksheet they should also have the Bitmap Calculator Code document containing the code snippets required to create the program. Then they can go onto Visual Basic to write the program, and test it to see if it is working correctly. There are also a couple of extension tasks at the bottom of the worksheet. I have also included the final code that I used to demonstrate the program working at the start of the lesson, and the PowerPoint which I used to outline the task and give them instructions on how to complete the tasks.
KS3 Scratch Flowcharts 2-lesson mini project
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KS3 Scratch Flowcharts 2-lesson mini project

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Included in this resource is a Powerpoint which is helpful in recapping flowcharts and then leads into a programming task involving a number guessing game. The students should be aiming to make a flowchart based on the first two tasks in the project, which will help them move on to programming them in Scratch in the second lesson. There is a card sort which involves writing the instructions onto blank paper symbols to form the flowchart, and examples of each task as a flowchart and scratch game. This has been used with Year 7 following two previous units using Scratch, as a warm up for programming as well as a reminder of flowcharts and their usefulness in planning programs.
KS3 Scratch Space Intruders game tutorial
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KS3 Scratch Space Intruders game tutorial

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This resource includes a finished Space Invaders-style game made with Scratch, as well as a starter code version of the game and a tutorial/help sheet. This is intended for one lesson to help teach variables and subroutines. The finished version can be shown as a demonstration of how the game should work, then the students can be shown the starter code. This version does not work, and they will need to complete the tasks on the tutorial to get it working correctly. The tutorial includes screenshots of code snippets and explanations of how any why they work to get the game functioning correctly.
KS3 Scratch Game Project
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS3 Scratch Game Project

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This resource is a set of instructions for KS3 students to create their own game. Ideally they will be at or near to finishing with Scratch before moving on to more complex programming languages. This is intended for the end of my KS3 Scratch Unit of work. Included is the Word document which details what they will need to include in their game (and what they might want to include), as well as an example game evaluation written in Powerpoint to make it easy for them to write about. There is also a skeleton evaluation which describes what they need to include in their evaluation. As the students can create their own game and need to write about how they have made it, this is likely to take a minimum of three lessons.
KS3 Endless scrolling game scratch tutorial
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KS3 Endless scrolling game scratch tutorial

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This resource is a tutorial to help students understand how variables and iteration are used to create a simple scrolling game. The tutorial includes screenshots of code snippets and instructions on how and why the code works to create the finished version of the game. The resource also includes the finished version of the game, which I use to demonstrate the game before showing the first few steps in making it. The tutorial can be used as a help sheet for students who push on further with the game before the rest of the class, or who might need help in getting their game to work as intended.
KS2/KS3 slug trail maze tutorial
MrHawes8MrHawes8

KS2/KS3 slug trail maze tutorial

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In this resource is a working version of a ‘slug trail’ maze game, and a Word document tutorial to go with it. The tutorial can be given to students as a help sheet once they have been given an introductory demonstration, or if they are pushing on further than the rest of the class. The tutorial help sheet includes screenshots of code and explains how and why this code is used to create the finished version of the game.
Microbit Board Game Project
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Microbit Board Game Project

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This resource was used for Year 7 Computing following a unit involving learning about variables, selection, iteration and random number generation using the Microbit. They loved playing the game, especially as they helped to create it! The idea is to have them use the Microbit as part of the board game. They will program in a dice function for shaking the Microbit, and other features for when they press Button A or B. The game works similarly to Snakes and Ladders. Button A moves the player either forwards or backwards, 6, 4, or 2 spaces (picked randomly by the program), and Button B moves the player up or down by flashing up to 3 up or down arrows (again randomly). Instructions were given via a worksheet, where the first page (two of the tasks) were given in the first lesson and the final one was given at the start of the second. When they had finished their program they could then download it to the Microbit and play their game. My students ended up with between 10-25 minutes playing time depending on how quickly they programmed their game. They can provide their own playing pieces from pencil cases etc. and the board is provided (A4 printout is fine). The code is in the screenshots in the PowerPoint slides and can be made up quickly.
GCSE Run Length Encoding Programming Lesson tasks
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GCSE Run Length Encoding Programming Lesson tasks

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This resource contains tasks for a complete programming lesson based on Run Length Encoding. If students have looked at the theory this lesson is a good follow up as it improves their programming skills and reinforces the theory learned previously. Included in this resource is a self-marking Excel starter document, and Powerpoint presentation for the lesson. The code with tasks is included for students to copy and paste into Visual Basic, or pseudocode for more of a challenge. EDITED: Now includes a basic Testing table in a Word document so the students can prove that their program is working and become familiar with the process for their coursework.
GCSE Hangman Coding Project
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GCSE Hangman Coding Project

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Included is a booklet containing a series of tasks (16 in total) with hints for some of the trickier tasks. There are also code snippets which can be used alongside the tasks or as an extra aid for students who are struggling. Also included is a checklist which can be displayed during the project, so that students can update their progress through the tasks. I have used this with a year 10 class who found it enjoyable as well as getting good programming practice. The program makes use of variables, selection, definite and indefinite iteration, arrays, boolean variables and a linear search.
GCSE Programming Four in a row 2D arrays project
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GCSE Programming Four in a row 2D arrays project

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Included is a programming project to recreate a well known game that I have used with a mixed ability Year 10 class. The project took 3-4 lessons and includes the powerpoint highlighting the main challenges in creating the game, the full code (Visual Basic), pseudocode for the whole program and images of code/pseudocode for each challenge that the programmers face. Images were used for this to prevent students copy and pasting the code. To differentiate, after talking through solving each challenge as a class, the students were able to load up the image of either the code or pseudocode, and type the code required into their program. The pseudocode is more challenging as it needs translating into code, and the code has key words missing so it is not just about copying the code into their program. I have also included teaching notes on how to discuss the different challenges, and a help sheet on 2-dimensional arrays.
GCSE Battleships programming project
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GCSE Battleships programming project

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This is a programming project that I have used over 3 lessons with my mixed ability Year 10 class. Included is a PowerPoint with the main programming challenges, and the full code for demonstrating the game before the students make it (Visual Basic). Each challenge should be discussed before the students choose either the code (easier) or pseudocode (harder) images to help them with the programming. Images have been used to avoid copy and pasting. The pseudocode will need to be translated into code and the code images contain key words blanked out to avoid pure copying.