Year 1

Technology around us

Learners will develop their understanding of technology and how it can help them in their everyday lives. They will start to become familiar with the different components of a computer by developing their keyboard and mouse skills. Learners will also consider how to use technology responsibly.

Creating media – Digital painting

Learners will develop their understanding of a range of tools used for digital painting. They then use these tools to create their own digital paintings, while gaining inspiration from a range of artists’ work. The unit concludes with learners considering their preferences when painting with and without the use of digital devices.

Programming A – Moving a robot

Learners will be introduced to early programming concepts. Learners will explore using individual commands, both with other learners and as part of a computer program. They will identify what each command for the floor robot does and use that knowledge to start predicting the outcome of programs. The unit is paced to ensure time is spent on all aspects of programming and builds knowledge in a structured manner. Learners are also introduced to the early stages of program design through the introduction of algorithms.

Grouping data

This unit introduces learners to data and information. Labelling, grouping, and searching are important aspects of data and information. Searching is a common operation in many applications, and requires an understanding that to search data, it must have labels. This unit of work focuses on assigning data (images) with different labels in order to demonstrate how computers are able to group and present data.

Creating media – Digital writing

Learners will develop their understanding of the various aspects of using a computer to create and manipulate text. They will become more familiar with using a keyboard and mouse to enter and remove text. Learners will also consider how to change the look of their text and will be able to justify their reasoning in making these changes. Finally, learners will consider the differences between using a computer to create text and writing text on paper. They will be able to explain which method they prefer and explain their reasoning for choosing this.

Programming B – Programming animations

Learners will be introduced to on-screen programming through ScratchJr. Learners will explore the way a project looks by investigating sprites and backgrounds. They will use programming blocks to use, modify, and create programs. Learners will also be introduced to the early stages of program design through the introduction of algorithms.