1. Subjects >
  2. Computing >
  3. Key stage 2 >
  4. Year 3 >
  5. Computing systems and networks 3: Journey inside a computer >
  6. Lesson 2: Building a paper laptop

Learning objective

  • To identify the components inside a laptop.

Success criteria

  • I can recognise a laptop’s inputs and outputs.
  • I
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National curriculum

Computing Pupils should be taught

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Cross-curricular links

  • None.
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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Display the Presentation: Odd one out and allow time for a paired discussion.

Learning objective

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Extended-mode explainer videos

How to extend your display to view the lesson page and presentation mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video

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If you need further support with extending your display,
please contact [email protected].

Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac

Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows

Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support Should complete the Activity: Paper laptop (support). Pupils working at greater depth Should write an explanation of how each part works.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: explaining that parts work together to

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Vocabulary definitions

  • CPU

    Central Processing Unit. The brain of a computer that deals with all the data it receives from input and output devices as well as programs run within the computer.

  • GPU

    Graphics Processing Unit. It is a piece of hardware that is used to help generate 2D and 3D images for programs such as games

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In this unit

Assessment - Computing Y3: Journey inside a computer

Lesson 1: Inputs and outputs

Lesson 2: Building a paper laptop

Lesson 3: Following instructions

Lesson 4: Computer memory

Lesson 5: Dismantling a tablet

Originally created by:

Originally created by:

Sway Grantham

Computing specialist

Image Specialists 4
Sway Grantham (@SwayGrantham) is a Primary School Teacher, a CAS Master Teacher and Specialist Leader in Education for Primary ICT. She also has a BCS Certificate in Computer Science Teaching (Primary). She has written several curricula and conducted research into the impact of 1:1…
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Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

Last update: 26th January, 2026

Contributors

specialist

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Lesson 1: Inputs and outputs Previous Lesson
Lesson 3: Following instructions Next Lesson

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