UKS2 Topic: Computational Thinking & Creativity

Understand the timeline of the main developments since the invention of the World Wide Web. Learn about the great creative minds and internet entrepreneurs who have contributed to the biggest innovations. Be inspired and solveyour own challenges! Create webpages, develop a fantasy football database, use 3D modelling software, design a stop motion animation,create your own computer game and much more!

Block / Key NC Objectives / Main creative outcomes
Block A
Introduction
[6 sessions] / Computing
  • Understand computer networks including the internet; how they provide multiple services, such as the world-wide-web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
/ Understand computer networks, including the internet; how they provide multiple services such as the world-wide-web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. Research key people including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Jimmy Wales. Explore failure as an opportunity to learn; respond to creative challenges and finally plan and film a short TED talk for younger children that collates all the useful strategies used to overcome problems.
Block B
Web research challenge
[3 sessions] / Computing, Geographyand English
  • Use search technologies effectively; appreciate how results are selected and ranked; and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time.
  • Identify the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own.
  • Proof-read for spelling and punctuation errors.
/ Are you up to a further challenge set by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales? Learn to identify reliable sources of information and spot the tell-tale signs of less dependable material. Have a go at checking and updating a Wikipedia entry for a local city, county or region for Jimmy and create your own webpage of reliable links by developing informative and working hyperlinks.
Block C
Spreadsheets & Databases
[4 sessions] / Computing, Mathsand PE
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish.given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Complete, read and interpret information in tables.
  • Interpret and construct pie charts and line graphs and use these to solve problems.
  • Use simple formulae.
Compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best. / The Premier League and Women’s Super League need your help! Analyse their spreadsheets on team and individual performances then create one to track and analyse your own performance. Can you develop a fantasy football database then select your own ‘fantasy team’ to compete in your in-house league?
Block D
3D Modelling
[3 sessions] / Computing, Maths,Artand English
  • Use Sketchup software to create content that accomplishes given goals.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Identify 3D shapes, including cubes and other cuboids, from 2-D representations.
  • Solve problems involving the calculation and conversion of units of metric measure.
  • Record observations in sketchbooks and use them to review and revisit idea.
  • Learn about great architects in history.
  • Identify the audience for and purpose of writing.
Select the appropriate form and use other similar writing as models for their own. / Minecraft inventor, Markus Persson, challenges you to build your own fantasy building using 3D modelling software, Sketchup. Use your knowledge of 3D shape to help you create your own online buildings, and promote your creation in the hope of winning a ‘Digital Architecture Award’.
Block E
Animations
[3sessions] / Computing
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
/ Design a stop motion animation for young children. Learn about different genres of animation and software you can use; have a go at a flip book animation; learn about what makes a good animation, plan an animation using storyboarding; shoot and edit your group animation, learn about how to avoid common mistakes, peer review the animations, hold an animation premiere event for young children.
Block F
Powerful
Presentations
[3 sessions] / Computing
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
/ Respond to a challenge to prepare an effective presentation. Plan and create a script for a powerful presentation. Explore software and learn about the key features of a good digital presentation; think about how the features can be adapted to suit different target audiences. Review your work against success criteria and present your work to the target audience.
Block G
Coding
[3 sessions] / Computing
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
/ Design your own computer game! Explore the concept of events and manipulating event handlers, code blocks and Event Source Parents; explore the commands required to make characters speak and move and how to draw shapes; compare two websites which feature programming with drag and drop - Scratch and Code.org; finally create your own game and host a Gaming Convention in the classroom for other classes.
Block H
Art Challenge
[3 sessions] / Computing and Art
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Pupils should be taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
  • Use and create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
  • Learn about David Hockney. (Learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.)
/ Famous artist, David Hockney, has branched out into digital art and would like you to join him! Come on an exploration of painting apps and have a go at entering the digital art world yourself, exhibiting your art online for critical acclaim.
Block I
Apps
[3 sessions] / Computing and PSHE Education
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • To explore the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.
/ Tim Berners-Lee challenges you to train in the art of app development, using Appshed. He is keen to award you with your App Development Qualification, but you need to successfully create your own healthy lifestyle app first.