Category : Computing

This term in ICT, our focus has been ‘Data and Information – grouping data’.

We have confidently become able to:-

• Label objects.
• Identify that objects can be counted.
• Describe objects in different ways.
• Count objects with the same properties.
• Compare groups of objects.
• Answer questions about groups of objects.

First, I asked the children to find me ‘a cylinder shaped object, that has stripes, one flat end, one pointy end and I can write and draw with it’ … they quickly realised that I meant a pencil and also why labels were important!

Next, we went on a ‘label hunt’ in our classroom, we found so many!

We then used our classroom resources to sort and label some objects.

We also looked at different ways to group objects.

Then we collectively used the class computer to search a variety of images, by categories like size, shape, use and colours.

This helped us to understand that data (images) have different labels so that computers are able to group them.

We also looked at internet safety this term, talking about how some things online could make us sad, worried or upset and how we can get help from a trusted adult if this ever happens.

This term Year 1 were introduced to the Bee-Bots.

Bee-Bots are robots that need commands to make them move.

We spent time linking outcomes to each button.

The commands we learnt were:- forwards, backwards, turn, clear and go.

Now there children are familiar with the commands, they have been able to program the Bee-Bots to get to a finish point.

 

This week our focus was about using computers safely in our school setting.

First, we looked at why we have rules in school and how those rules help us.

After some discussion, we found at that rules enable us:-

To stay safe

To make sure we are all happy 

So that we can learn

To help us to be good people 

Next, we looked at how we can apply this understanding to rules needed for using computer technology safely. Our 4 main rules in Year 1 are:-

Hold your device carefully

Stop using your device when someone is talking to you

Take turns with your partner

Only use the apps you’ve been asked to use

Finally, we recapped on all we had learned during our technology lessons.

We know that technology is something that has been made to help others, that we have different types of computer technology, that we can name the different parts of computers and that we have used a mouse and keyboard to draw pictures and write words.

 

 

 

 

In ICT Year 1 have continued to use the laptops – this time to develop their keyboard skills. 

We found out that all keyboards are the same, the letters, function keys and numbers are always in the same place.

We also learnt that using the space bar is like doing a finger space and when you press and hold the shift key, you get a capital letter!

The children were able to use the arrow keys to get the cursor to where we need it to be, also the backspace key proved very useful to delete any mistakes we had made!

All the children were able to navigate the keyword to copy their sentences, using a text box they had made – they used good concentration skills and helped each other out too, fabulous work!

Year 1 have continued to develop their trackpad skills and we also thought about what we would use the keyboard for.

We found out that keyboard is used for writing on a computer and that, on all keyboards, the keys will always be in the exact same place.

Our task today was to type our name using the keyboard.

Once on the paintzapp programme, together we were able to click on the tools to draw a text box. The children were then able to use the keyboard to type their name.

Most of the children could do this independently and we learnt that holding down the ‘shift’ key makes a capital letter.

We then had chance to explore all the tools… we found that you could draw a circle/square with one, another enabled us to fill the shape with colour and one gave a spray paint effect … we had fun finding out what all the tools were able to do.

After completing our lesson this week, we were all able to place our laptops in the charging station and carefully plug the lead into the correct hole.

 

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Year 1 have been working on developing their trackpad skills.

We now understand the main components of a computer – screen, keyboard, mouse, trackpad – so we looked at different mice and how some look different but all perform the same function, such as the trackpad.

All of the children were able to switch on their laptop and find the artist app that we were going to use – with a little help of course.

We explored the tool bar, finding out that as well as changing colours, we could make shapes, fill with colour and use a spray paint effect.

At first, some found it a bit tricky to select different tools and using the trackpads to draw … but all of the children showed determination and perseverance, and were able to produce some fabulous work.

Year 2’s Computing unit this term has been exploring Computing Systems and Networks. They have learned about the topic IT All Around Us. In the first lesson they learned that IT is a computer or something that works with a computer.  They then sorted different objects into two categories; IT and not IT.

In our second lesson they learned about how we use IT in school. They looked at the IT we have in our school and thought about the purpose of the IT we have. They then sorted several IT by their purpose.

In our third lesson, the children learned about IT beyond school. They thought about the features of different IT and sorted them into two categories; IT found outside and IT found inside!

During lesson four, the children learned about how information technology helps us. The children explored the roles of a barcode, scanner and till in a supermarket during the lesson and they learned about how these work together.

In lesson 5 the children thought about how to be safe using IT. They helped Jessica identify the rules she was breaking when using IT.

Finally, in lesson 6 they learned about how to use IT in a variety of ways and how to be mindful of the time they spend using IT.