Feb 15

Acorns, improve your keyboard recognition with Key Seeker

An interactive learning tool to help EYFS children recognise letters on the keyboard and use the correct hand to strike the key. click on the monkey below to take you to the website.

BeeBots with Acorns (25th February 2015)

I love teaching with BeeBot! The genuine excitement, and the reaction to BeeBot moving for the first time, is priceless.

Today, Acorns were introduced to a Bumblebee, that is also a robot, hence the name BeeBot. We learnt that BeeBot is a 'good' robot and will do exactly what he is told to. We made BeeBot move around the ICT suite, by telling him which way to go and when to GO. However, he didn't understand our language, so we told him in his language (using the buttons on top to command him). 

We also learnt that BeeBot has a very good memory and can store up lots of commands. This proved a little tricky as the children forgot to CLEAR his memory from time to time. However, they did start getting the hang of it and began commanding BeeBot to move along our tracks, moving in the intended direction.

What a great start to the Control aspect of the computing curriculum!

Day2 - Discovery Coding with Year 3 (24th February 2015)

It was Year 3's turn today to use the exciting Discovery Coding. The children were introduced to the online resource and given a tour of the features before being allowed to get Coding. We discussed what was meant by the term 'Coding' and shared some experiences of using computers and computer games. We learnt that objects can be programmed to do actions at the start or when they are clicked on (pop) and practised using a keypress to make an object change direction (flying).

Check out 'Pop' and 'Flying' below, created by Laasya and Emily.

Discovery Coding with Maples (23rd February 2015)

Today, Maples were introduced to the exciting 'Discovery Coding' (formerly known as Espresso Coding). I'm not sure who was more excited, the children or me!

Discovery Coding is an online resource that allows the children (and me) to code and create our very own apps - an excellent solution to the new programing requirements in the curriculum. Please check out the children's response's on twitter (@stmicheast) and some examples of their work below.

Friendship Wheels with the Acorns (11th February 2015)

The Acorns (Foundation Stage) were making Friendship Wheels today, using the photographs they took last week with digital cameras. We used 2Simple's program, 2Publish+ to create some wonderful wheels. The children had to follow some picture maps (Pie Corbett style!) to open up the program, then import the desired photographs for their wheel. Finally they finished it off by tying the class name, as we felt you should not put their name and picture on the internet! Well done Acorns....

Victorian Research Books with Maples (9th February 2015)

The Maples have been learning how to navigate their way around websites. They mainly used Infant Encyclopedia, a lovely website aimed at KS1, that enabled them to practise skills. I gave them crosswords, a purpose, designed to get the children using such skills to find answers to the clues.

Next, I explained to the children they would be using this website to research and present their finding on the class topic of The Victorians. They were given worksheets (Find a fact about...) which gave them lines of enquiry to follow up. The children had to find an interesting fact and record it on their sheets.

Finally, today the children began preparing their presentation on their facts in an eBook, made with 2 Create a Story (by Purplemash). They started by typing each fact on a separate page, using capitals and full stops. Then they imported pictures to support and enhance the information on each page.

The children were so pleased with their work, we decided to share the information with you! Please take some time reading their fabulous efforts and learn something new...

Creating Spreadsheets to record Tetris Scores with Y5 (5th February 2015)

Year 5 were creating their own Spreadsheets today. I asked them to play Tetris three times, each time recording their score obtained. They then had to collect scores from five other children and set-up a spreadsheet to record them. Using formulas, I then asked the children to calculate the: Total Scores, Minimum Score and Maximum Score. Some went a step further and set-up formulas for Median and Mean! The children then were tasked with making their spreadsheet look more appealing. Take a look at Jack and Ashleigh's work!

Using Digital Cameras with Acorns (FS Stage) 4th February 2015

Today we were using digital cameras. We talked about how they are powered by batteries and the main functions on the camera including: Power Button, Lens, Screen, Playback. The children then each had a go at taking three photographs of three friends. They had to hold the camera very still and make their subject say 'BUMBLE-BEE'. It was really good fun! Next week we will use our photographs to make a Friendship Wheel.