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AlwaysComputing

Average Rating4.39
(based on 170 reviews)

I'm a specialist computing teacher in a large primary school in Bradford, so I basically play around with computers all day! I LOVE anything to do with MakeyMakey and Kodu so a lot of my stuff is based around these programs. I also qualified as a level 2 CAS Master Teacher last year so if you have any tech questions or queries please tweet me @alwayscomputing Please comment and share anything you like!

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I'm a specialist computing teacher in a large primary school in Bradford, so I basically play around with computers all day! I LOVE anything to do with MakeyMakey and Kodu so a lot of my stuff is based around these programs. I also qualified as a level 2 CAS Master Teacher last year so if you have any tech questions or queries please tweet me @alwayscomputing Please comment and share anything you like!
Google Sketchup Bundle - 3d Printing
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Google Sketchup Bundle - 3d Printing

5 Resources
A collection of resources for you to use with Google Sketchup. A piece of free software perfect for schools with a 3d printer. The units have all been made and used with primary age children, but can easily be adapted. Includes a resource with a collection of Sketchup models pre built. Perfect for examples or demonstrations.
Year 5 - Two week Poetry Unit
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Year 5 - Two week Poetry Unit

(0)
Two weeks of poetry taught in a year 5 classroom, tried and tested by myself. The unit includes a variety of poetry styles, with a range of different activities for pupils to take part in. The poems used in the unit are included on the slides, and can easily be printed separately to hand out in class.
Chicken Clicking E-Safety Unit
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Chicken Clicking E-Safety Unit

(1)
The book Chicken Clicking, by Jeanne Willis, is a wonderful introduction to e-safety, and gives children a simple and clear understanding of the dangers when using the internet. The story is well written and the illustrations are great for young pupils. This unit of work goes through the book, with children taking part in different activities, learning about how to keep themselves safe. Included is a unit of work, resource work sheets and examples. If you have any questions please tweet my @AlwaysComputing.
Kodu - The Complete Guide
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Kodu - The Complete Guide

(0)
I've been using Kodu for a while now, and decided to pull everything I have together for this starter pack. Kodu is great for the new curriculum as it allows pupils to code and programme a game in real time, seeing how their programming affects the game instantly. In this pack I have included 2 units of work, a beginner and a more advanced level, as well as lots of bits to go with it. For anybody new to the programme, or to computing, this should be a great way to get going. Any questions about it tweet me @alwayscomputing
Hades - Vipers style reading and questioning
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Hades - Vipers style reading and questioning

(1)
Short text based on the facts and stories of Hades from Greek Mythology. There is a powerpoint and question sheet attached that uses VIPERS style questions for the pupils to answer. Lots of opportunity for discussion throughout the lesson. I used the font ‘Sassoon Primary Infant’ for my editing, so some formatting may be needed after download.
Minecraft Resource Pack
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Minecraft Resource Pack

(0)
This is a pack of lesson ideas for teachers looking to use Minecraft as a creative outlet for topics, or those new to the software who are looking for an interesting way in. It’s also perfect for lunchtime and after school clubs. The cards could be printed out for pupils to look at and choose their own activity. There are 7 different activities with a worksheet to go with, and a poster for your classroom to show pupils the controls. Please review and share, and questions please tweet me @alwayscomputing
Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED
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Kodu Independent Learning Cards - UPDATED

(0)
I have created a set of 8 independent learning cards to be used with the program Kodu. These are designed for pupils to pick up and explore on their own to develop their own programming skills. The cards consist of 5 possible games the children can create, and 3 interesting world maps. They also include a QR code link to a video guide on how to make the game. **The QR codes had failed so this resource has been updated to ensure they are working**
PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work
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PenguinPig - Esafety Unit of Work

(0)
The book PenguinPig, by Stuart Spendlow, is a wonderful introduction to e-safety, and gives children a simple and clear understanding of the dangers when using the internet. The story is well written and the illustrations by Amy Bradley are great for young pupils. This unit of work goes through the book, with children taking part in different activities, learning about how to keep themselves safe and whether everything they see is to be believed! Included is a unit of work, resource work sheets and examples. If you have any questions please tweet my @AlwaysComputing.
Kodu - Ready Made Games!
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Kodu - Ready Made Games!

(0)
A collection of 6 levels built on Kodu for you to share and use with your class. Perfect for those new to the software who need some examples to share with their pupils. Feel free to change and adapt them, or use them to get the kids started with Kodu. Using these will allow the students to play the games, and then examine how they have been built and what programming has been used. Please share and review! Any help with these please contact me @AlwaysComputing on twitter.
Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2
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Cryptography and Code Breaking - KS2

(0)
5 different lesson ideas all based around the theme of cryptography and code breaking. I've seen lots of stuff for secondary pupils on this topic, but nothing for primary, so I thought I'd give it a go! This could easily be adapted for KS3 as well too though! The last PPT on steganography needs you to download a little exe application on the computer, so make sure you've done that before the start of the lesson! Please review and give me some feedback as I'd love to add to it and expand on this. The lessons are all on PPT, and then the guides are little sheets for the pupils to use in the lessons to help them. This can be a really fun topic so I hope they come in handy!
Makey Makey Starter Pack
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Makey Makey Starter Pack

(2)
For those teachers who are stepping in the world of coding and computing using a Makey Makey board can be a brilliant start. I have created a one stop shop starter pack for those who aren't very confident in how to use them in a classroom. The pack contains 4 lesson plans, complete with hand outs for the children, links to the new computing curriculum, photo guides showing you how to set up and links to pre-built Scratch apps to use with the pupils. Everything you need to get started. I have also included future steps and extension ideas, as with a Makey Makey, the possibilities are endless.
Year 5 - Target Time Morning Starters - 32 Days
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Year 5 - Target Time Morning Starters - 32 Days

(0)
6 weeks of daily activity boards to display when the children arrive in the morning. Mixture of quick arithmetic, reasoning, spelling/vocab, and cross curricular questions. Edit the date at the top to fit your class. This PPT was made using the font Sassoon Primary infant, so formatting may change based on the font you use in school.
The Water Cycle Extended Writing
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The Water Cycle Extended Writing

(1)
Short missing word activity followed by an extended writing activity. Pupils to write the journey of the water cycle as a story. Please Review! Follow me on twitter @theICTeacher for more resources and inspiration!
Advertising - Create Your Own Chocolate Bar
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Advertising - Create Your Own Chocolate Bar

(0)
A 4 week unit of work with children designing and planning their own chocolate bar, then they produce an advertising campaign to go with it. It looks at what makes a good advert, persuasive language, letter writing, and some drama activities. It includes 4 weeks of planning, with corresponding PowerPoints to guide you and the pupils through the unit. I have also included a work sheet to print and work with. PLEASE REVIEW! Follow me on twitter @alwayscomputing for more teacher resources and inspiration!
Computing KS1 Bundle
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Computing KS1 Bundle

4 Resources
3 units of work for KS1 Computing, plus some independent learning cards for in your classroom. I've also included a lesson activity on databases for year 2 which is a great introduction.
Year 5 Instructional Texts - 2 Week Unit
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Year 5 Instructional Texts - 2 Week Unit

(0)
PowerPoint taking your through 2 weeks of instructional texts, tried and tested by myself. 8 lessons in total, with the option of a further practical lesson baking. Covers a wide range of text types and topics.