| Unit | Content |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 What is computing? | This unit introduces Year 7 students to Computing at Icknield. Students learn to log in to and navigate their Chromebooks. They focus on developing an understanding of OneNote class notebooks to support their work in Computing and across the entire school curriculum. Students learn definitions of data and algorithm, explore what computing is really about, and complete a brief investigation into the key components of a computer. They learn the main principles of e-safety, focusing on staying safe online. ‘What is Computer science?’ is the key question that is addressed in this unit of work. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: There is no summative, in-class assessment of this term's learning. Teachers provide formative feedback and base their judgements on students' contribution to lessons, on the quality of their OneNote pages, and on their ability to answer questions in class. |
| Unit 2 Images and graphics | In this unit, students explore three different programs, gaining varied perspectives on both hardware and software, and creating enjoyable and imaginative outputs. Students learn to create one-dimensional animations using Wick Editor before moving on to experience Turtle Graphics within Python. Finally, they explore physical computing using micro:bits technology. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: Students' learning is assessed through animations, images and graphics they create in this module. Teachers provide feedback on these outputs and base their judgements on students' contribution to lessons, on the quality of their OneNote pages, and on their ability to answer questions in class. |
| Unit 3 Computational thinking | This unit teaches computational thinking and introduces constructs and concepts within the realm of programming. Students learn about sequencing, selection and iteration through block-based and text-based programming. They also learn about the use of variables and procedures. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: Students complete an end of topic assessment in the form of a multiple-choice and short-answer quiz in exam conditions. |
| Unit 4 Scratch programming | This unit builds directly on the previous unit's themes. It is practical in its focus, allowing students an extended opportunity to build their knowledge of programming in Scratch. Each lesson is structured around a key program which students learn to create, interrogate, modify, analyse and extend. Students learn to follow the PRIMM model: predict, run, investigate, modify, make. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: Students complete an end of topic assessment in the form of a multiple-choice and short-answer quiz in exam conditions. |
| Unit 5 Using spreadsheets | This unit moves away from the computer science branch of the curriculum, focusing instead on developing students' knowledge and skills in information technology. Students explore how to use spreadsheets, learning to add, modify, search, sort and interrogate data within Excel. They are taught how to set up simple tables using appropriate field names, how to modify tables to create a professional appearance and how to apply formulae to interrogate data. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: Students complete an end of topic assessment in the form of a multiple-choice and short-answer quiz in exam conditions. |
| Unit 6 Text-based programming | This unit provides the first sustained focus on text-based programming for students at Icknield. Building on important concepts introduced in earlier units, students learn the format, syntax and rules of programming in a text-based language, Python. Key knowledge developed:
Key skills developed:
Assessment: Students complete an end of topic assessment in the form of a multiple-choice and short-answer quiz in exam conditions. |
