Year 4 Computing - Effective Searching Online
In this week's Computing lesson, Year 4 were looking at how to stay safe whilst searching online. We looked at different child-friendly search engines and worked in partnerships to try and complete the questions we needed to find the answers to. We found out we had to be precise and concise with our wording when searching for different things, as this really could affect the kind of results we received. It was definitely a lesson were lots was learnt!
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Nursery / Pre-School - Computing - Creating Butterflies
This week, the children in Nursery and Preschool used the computers and touchscreens to create their own colorful butterflies using Purple Mash. The activity began with the children exploring the digital tools, picking their favorite colors, and making marks on the screen to see how their movements left bright trails on the wings. As the children became more confident, we looked at real-life photos of butterflies to identify different patterns. The children then worked on making conscious marks, such as lines and spots, to mimic the characteristics they could see in the reference images. This was a fantastic way for them to practice digital control and intentional design, moving from simple scribbles to purposeful patterns. An exciting moment occurred when our older learners noticed that the program was "mirroring" their marks on the opposite wing. This sparked a meaningful conversation about symmetry, as the children looked back at their reference images and realized that butterflies always have the same patterns on both wings. They were fascinated to see their designs appear on both sides at once, helping them to understand that nature often creates matching patterns.
Online Safety - App and Play Stores
With millions of apps available and children accessing them from an increasingly young age, app stores can present a range of risks. From malware and copycat apps to inappropriate content and persuasive in-app purchases, this Wake Up Wednesday guide highlights how easily young users can encounter issues – even when using official platforms. It also offers clear, practical advice to help parents and educators manage these risks. From setting up parental controls and checking app credibility to having open conversations about safe usage, the guide supports adults in building children’s awareness, encouraging safer choices and promoting more balanced, responsible app use
Year 4 Computing - Writing an audiobook script
Year 4 have been learning about audiobook in this Computing unit and have been excited to create our very own audiobook! We have worked with a partner on a script this week, delegating different jobs, such as narrators, sound co-ordinators and technicians. Lots of work, but the end result will be worth it!
Year 3 - Safer Internet Day
Year 3 have been absolute Internet Legends as we celebrated Safer Internet Day! Our young digital citizens spent the day exploring how to use the internet for good while keeping themselves and their friends safe. Through interactive games and group discussions, we tackled some big questions about life online.
Year 4 Computing - Internet Safety
In this week's computing lesson, Year 4 have been exploring the ways in which we can keep ourselves safe when using the Internet. We have learnt that we cannot always trust what we see and that we should never tell others personal things about ourselves when we are online. Year 4 completed a quiz to show their expertise and enjoyed playing a game, helping our character make the right choices when faced with an online problem.
Nursery - Music - Computing - Creating Music
This week, the children enjoyed making their own music using the 2Explore tool on Purple Mash. We focused on using the computer to find different noises and seeing how we could put them together to make a fun tune. The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the wide variety of sounds available within the software. They practiced their navigational skills to select and trigger different instrumental notes and effects, discovering how the software combined their chosen sounds into a continuous song. This process allowed them to experiment with different noises and hear how they sounded together in a rhythmic way. There was a wonderful sense of achievement as the children listened back to their completed "songs." Many were so proud of their digital creations that they even began dancing to the beats they had produced.
Computing Club - Microbits
Can you transform a pocket-sized circuit board into a game of chance or a musical instrument? This week, our Computing Club used Micro:bits to bring their coding projects to life. The pupils programmed their devices to play Rock, Paper, Scissors, using a "shake" motion to trigger a random choice. They also explored sound and light by coding the Micro:bits to play custom tunes and display different animated characters and faces. It was a brilliant session that showed just how creative you can be with a little bit of logic and a lot of imagination. #ComputingClub #MicroBit #STEM #PrimaryCoding #DigitalLiteracy #FutureCoders #CodeClub
Pre-School-Computing-Where Does Handa live?
In Computing in Preschool, we have been using Google Maps and Google Images to find out where Handa lives. The children loved using Google Maps to discover that Handa lives in Africa and to see where Africa is in the world. We used Google Images to look at villages in Africa, and the children were really engaged. They found it interesting to see how different our homes are compared to those of people living in huts in small villages in Africa.
Year 1 - Computing - Algorithms
Our Year 1 students are diving into the world of Computing by learning how to sequence algorithms correctly. To understand how computers follow instructions, we practiced breaking down everyday tasks into clear, logical steps. #Year1 #ComputingSkills #Algorithms #Sequencing
Mash Club - Extra Curricular Activities
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a digital world from scratch? This term in Computer Club, our talented young developers have been doing exactly that using Purple Mash to design and code their very own video games. By mastering block-based programming, the children successfully brought characters and animals to life, animating their movement and even giving them a voice through programmed dialogue. The real magic happened when we explored collision events, coding characters to transform their appearance the moment they touch, and adding a scoring system to turn their creations into fully functional, competitive challenges. It has been inspiring to watch them evolve from tech users into confident creators, tackling complex logic and debugging with incredible persistence! #DarwenStJames #ComputerClub #SchoolComputing #PurpleMash
Year 1 Computing - Sequencing Algorithms
Jam first or bread first… and does the order really matter? ???????? Year 1 got hands-on with algorithms and sequencing today using Purple Mash, and things got deliciously logical. The children followed step-by-step instructions to make a jam sandwich, spotting quickly that if you get the order wrong, the outcome changes. Sticky proof that computers are very literal. They used picture cards from Purple Mash to sequence the algorithm, tested it in real life, then debugged when things didn’t quite work. Lots of great talk about first, next and finally, plus brilliant perseverance when spreads went astray. Computing, but make it practical, memorable and fun. Exactly how Year 1 should learn
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