Computing: Key Stage 1

Using creativity and imagination to plan a miniature adventure story and capturing it using developing photography skills. Children learn to enhance photos using a range of editing tools as well as searching for and adding other images to a project, resulting in a high-quality photo collage showcase.

Knowing how to log in and navigate around a computer, developing mouse skills, learning how to drag, drop, click and control a cursor to create works of art inspired by Kandinsky and self-portraits.

Using an unplugged approach so that algorithms, decomposition and debugging are made relatable to familiar contexts, such as dressing up and making a sandwich, while learning why instructions need to be very specific.

Developing keyboard and mouse skills through designing, building and testing individual rockets by creating a digital list of materials, using drawing software and recording data.

Developing early programming skills using either the Bee:Bot or virtual Bee:Bot.

Learning what data is and the different ways that it can be represented as well as developing an understanding of why data is useful, how it can be used and ways in which it can be gathered and recorded both by humans and computers.

Learning about online safety, including using useful tips to stay safe when online; how to manage feelings and emotions when someone or something has upset us online; learning about the responsibility we have as online users; exploring the idea of a ‘digital footprint’.

Exploring what a computer is by identifying and learning how inputs and outputs work. Understanding how computers are used in the wider world, children design their own computerised invention.

Developing an understanding of what algorithms are, how to program them and how they can be developed to be more efficient through a range of unplugged and plugged-in activities.

Learning about word processing and how to stay safe online as well developing touch typing skills. Introducing important keyboard shortcuts, as well as simple editing tools within a word processor including: bold, italics, underline and font colour as well as how to import images.

Exploring what ‘blocks’ do, using the app ‘ScratchJr,’ by carrying out an informative cycle of predict > test > review. Programming a familiar story and an animation of an animal, children make their own musical instrument by creating buttons and recording sounds as well as following an algorithm to record a joke.

Storyboarding and simple animation creation using either tablet devices or devices with cameras.

Learning how astronauts survive on the ISS, including identifying necessary items, designing sensor displays, and exploring habitable planets. Children gain an understanding of living in space and how space exploration can benefit life on Earth.

Learning about online safety, including: what happens to information posted online; how to keep things private online; who we should ask before sharing online; describing different ways to ask for, give, or deny permission online.