Computing Planning

I regularly get asked if I have any documents to show progression across the different year groups that I teach primary computing to. My answer is that I do have documents but that they aren't presented as skills progression grids which I think many people would expect.

Since the subject is constantly evolving - due to new apps/programs being released and emerging technologies becoming more popular - I would find it extremely hard to set down a definitive list of computing skills that children should learn, moreover assign them to specific year groups. Instead, each year group has a list of lessons that I teach to them, with each list being a working document that I'm forever tweaking, changing and modifying to take into account of:

• new hardware and software that is released;

• new lesson ideas that I have or find online which I want to teach;

• the children's current interests and topics they are studying;

• my school's timetable (i.e. the number and duration of computing lessons that I have to teach).

This method works extremely well because it enables me to quickly see how much time I have to teach each year group and arrange lessons around current events and topics where possible. It also lets me be very flexible with my curriculum: easily removing old software/hardware references when needed and effortlessly slotting in new lessons where I feel they can be best placed (and indeed repeat them with other year groups too so that they don't miss out).

These documents essentially act as my long term planning for each academic year because they outline what I need to teach on a week-by-week basis and clearly allow me to see how I cover everything that I both am required and want to teach the children.

When writing these long term plans, I try to:

• teach basic skills at the start of the year and do the longer, more challenging projects later on;

• use humanities themes (e.g. history and geography topics), school events (e.g. trips and celebrations) and the children's own interests as the context for activities if possible;

• 'slot in' discrete computing skills activities (e.g. about computer science theory) in the weeks in between;

• repeat and build on skills during each year group (e.g. create a few word processed documents over a year, rather than doing them one-after-another, so skills are less likely to be forgotten).

thanks for sharing this lot. It's obviously the result of a lot of work.

I am currently formulating a more modern ICT curriculum for a special school where, for a large number of pupils, their understanding of abstract concepts is very low. I am having trouble putting together age-appropriate physically-engaging activities for the lower ability students (most P6-L1).

It's great to see what others are doing although mostly I need ideas and then need to create resources appropriate for my clientele.

But thanks again. Your webpage is a great resource.

HEY THIS REALLY HELPS ME AS I HAVE JUST STARTED AS A TEACHER AND DONT FIND MY CURRICULUM MATCHING THE NEEDS OF MY STUDENTS.

THIS HAS GIVEN ME MANY IDEAS ON WHAT TO TEACH AND HOW....

FOLLOWING YOU CLOSELY NOW :-))

Thank you for sharing your resources for free. I hope to repay the community by putting up my own free resource site for Computing someday. You have provided everything that I need (as a new teacher of Computing). God bless you sir.

Thank you for this amazing bank of resources and ideas. It truly helps and informs my planning each week! Best of all is the enthusiasm of the children when I deliver the sessions.

Your resources and ideas have been invaluable to me since I started covering classes teaching ICT using ipads nearly two years ago. Your site is truly inspirational - not quite sure how you do it - just glad that you do. My lessons wouldn't have been nearly so good had I not been able to refer to your website. Thank you so much.

Thank you for this website and all the effort you put into it as well as being caring enough to share your hard work. It is very useful, helpful and informative. Thank you again

Found by accident. Secondary Teacher so can't really use them but these are really, really good. Comprehensive set of resources which would serve as an excellent lead into the new Computing Secondary Programme of Study. You deserve a wider audience. Thanks.

Thank you for sharing. I am new to teaching at Key Stage 2 and your site has given me all the resources that will enable me to plan and teach a comprehensive computing curriculum.

Thanks again!

This volume of work is much appreciated Simon! Thanks as always for your tips!

Thank you so much for this valuable resource! I have always looked at your site for inspiration. even after teaching ICT for over ten years I still find innovative way to get across a point, thanks to you!

Excellent source of information and resources.. thanks Simon.

Thanks for sharing these. They are so helpful. A great resource

Your resources are comprehensive. Thanks for sharing

Simon, these resources are fantastic. Your website as been extremely helpful to me this year as I have taken on my new role as Computing Lead. Thank you.

I'm not a primary computing teacher but seeing all this almost makes me wish I was! Your material is also pretty suitable for some Adult learning contexts also, as you give such clear explanations, so thank you in advance for any that I use! Keep up the superb work, you are an inspiration.

I use your resources ALL the time. You have not only saved me hours of planning time but my pupils have loved every one of your ideas. Thank you for your help, you have been a God send.

Find your resources helpful????? You have to be kidding! They are brilliant!!!! Thanks for sharing and the inspiration Simon, it is very much appreciated.

This is brilliant. Thank you Simon!

Your resources and ideas have been invaluable to me since I started covering classes teaching ICT using ipads nearly two years ago. Your site is truly inspirational - not quite sure how you do it - just glad that you do. My lessons wouldn't have been nearly so good had I not been able to refer to your website. Thank you so much.

Simon I have found your website and lesson ideas inspirational. I have tried many of your ideas and the most important thing is the children have thoroughly enjoyed trying them out. Furthermore they have learned lots of new skills! Thank you so much.

Thank you Simon, absolutely brilliant resources.I teach computing to year 1, year 2 and year 6, your resources have saved me hours. Can't praise the quality enough.

Absolutely AWESOME! I love your resources and so do the children I have used them with. We particularly enjoyed making the internet spinners. Your resources are clear, with a sharp focus and engaging for the children. Keep up the amazing work. Thank you so much.

I love your site and resources! The lessons I have used always work. Sometimes I see you have planned something similar to what I am doing, so it has given me confidence that I am think along the right lines. Thank you very much

Simon thank you so much. You are a real inspiration and we are so very grateful for all the resources and ideas you have shared with us over the years. You have saved our bacon many time over. THANK YOU

Simon thank you so much. I have used several of your lesson for a whole school eSafety week and it was so much fun. Starting from September I will be leading computing from Reception to year 6. I am very nervous, but viewing your lessons have given me so many ideas and such confidence! Thank you very much.

I am returning to teaching ICT 1 day a week in a primary school. You and Phil Bagge have made my decisions easy.

Heart felt thanks, I am really looking forward to my new journey.

Kevin Tiernan

St Edwards RC Primary School

Kent

As part of my PM targets I've recently been asked to take groups of children for computing following the new curriculum. I had no idea where to start! your website and resources have been my savior. Thank you very much!

Your website is fantastic! Thank you

I have just come across this site and all of its resources. I just wanted to say thank you for all of your work and the things on here - they are proving to be extremely useful. Thanks again

Great job!

Simon, these resources are fantastic.

Thanks again

So useful. Thanks a lot and I appreciate your generosity to share them with others.

These are a fantastic set of materials. Thank you

Great resources and thank you for all the time and effort you have put into creating all of this!

What a fantastic resource. The power of Twitter unearths some absolute gems. Thanks for sharing.

What a find! Thank you for sharing, it's given me a good place to start from when planning for Computing.

I think your curriculum is inspriational.. your lessons well balanced and make learning fun.. thank you so much for sharing