Progression in Primary Computing

I regularly get asked if I have any documents to show progression across the different year groups that I teach primary computing to. My answer is that I do have documents but that they aren't presented as skills progression grids which I think many people would expect.

Since the subject is constantly evolving - due to new apps/programs being released and emerging technologies becoming more popular - I would find it extremely hard to set down a definitive list of computing skills that children should learn, moreover assign them to specific year groups. Instead, each year group has a list of lessons that I teach to them, with each list being a working document that I'm forever tweaking, changing and modifying to take into account of:

• new hardware and software that is released;
• new lesson ideas that I have or find online which I want to teach;
• the children's current interests and topics they are studying;
• my school's timetable (i.e. the number and duration of computing lessons that I have to teach).

This method works extremely well because it enables me to quickly see how much time I have to teach each year group and arrange lessons around current events and topics where possible. It also lets me be very flexible with my curriculum: easily removing old software/hardware references when needed and effortlessly slotting in new lessons where I feel they can be best placed (and indeed repeat them with other year groups too so that they don't miss out).

These documents essentially act as my long term planning for each academic year because they outline what I need to teach on a week-by-week basis and clearly allow me to see how I cover everything that I both am required and want to teach the children.

When writing these long term plans, I try to:

• teach basic skills at the start of the year and do the longer, more challenging projects later on;
• use humanities themes (e.g. history and geography topics), school events (e.g. trips and celebrations) and the children's own interests as the context for activities if possible;
• 'slot in' discrete computing skills activities (e.g. about computer science theory) in the weeks in between;
• repeat and build on skills during each year group (e.g. create a few word processed documents over a year, rather than doing them one-after-another, so skills are less likely to be forgotten).

Here are links to my ever-updating primary computing long term plans for the past few years (note that the weeks in each term and the marked events are specific to my school and will likely be different for you):

View Primary Computing Long Term Overviews

 

Also, here is a link to blog posts of all the primary computing lessons that I've taught at my school, including LI slides and examples of the children's work - http://www.parkfieldprimary.com/parkfield/computing/.

Please let me know if you find them helpful - I really do appreciate comments from people who've been inspired by them!

Comments

[Veronica]

thanks for sharing this lot. It's obviously the result of a lot of work.
I am currently formulating a more modern ICT curriculum for a special school where, for a large number of pupils, their understanding of abstract concepts is very low. I am having trouble putting together age-appropriate physically-engaging activities for the lower ability students (most P6-L1).
It's great to see what others are doing although mostly I need ideas and then need to create resources appropriate for my clientele.
But thanks again. Your webpage is a great resource.

[JAINI]

HEY THIS REALLY HELPS ME AS I HAVE JUST STARTED AS A TEACHER AND DONT FIND MY CURRICULUM MATCHING THE NEEDS OF MY STUDENTS.
THIS HAS GIVEN ME MANY IDEAS ON WHAT TO TEACH AND HOW....
FOLLOWING YOU CLOSELY NOW :-))

[Raizyl Duque]

Dear Simon,

Thank you for sharing your resources for free. I hope to repay the community by putting up my own free resource site for Computing someday. You have provided everything that I need (as a new teacher of Computing). God bless you sir.

[Catherine Steel @tafftykec]

Thank you for this amazing bank of resources and ideas. It truly helps and informs my planning each week! Best of all is the enthusiasm of the children when I deliver the sessions.

[Sandra Noad]

Your resources and ideas have been invaluable to me since I started covering classes teaching ICT using ipads nearly two years ago. Your site is truly inspirational - not quite sure how you do it - just glad that you do. My lessons wouldn't have been nearly so good had I not been able to refer to your website. Thank you so much.

[Anne]

Thank you for this website and all the effort you put into it as well as being caring enough to share your hard work. It is very useful, helpful and informative. Thank you again

[Bernard Capel]

Found by accident. Secondary Teacher so can't really use them but these are really, really good. Comprehensive set of resources which would serve as an excellent lead into the new Computing Secondary Programme of Study. You deserve a wider audience. Thanks.

[Tracy]

Thank you for sharing. I am new to teaching at Key Stage 2 and your site has given me all the resources that will enable me to plan and teach a comprehensive computing curriculum.
Thanks again!

[David Murphy]

This volume of work is much appreciated Simon! Thanks as always for your tips!

[Traci Woodward]

Thank you so much for this valuable resource! I have always looked at your site for inspiration. even after teaching ICT for over ten years I still find innovative way to get across a point, thanks to you!

[ian roberts]

Excellent source of information and resources.. thanks Simon.

[Lynne Berry]

Thanks for sharing these. They are so helpful. A great resource

[Evelyn Wangari]

Your resources are comprehensive. Thanks for sharing