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North Lane, West Hoathly, West Sussex, RH19 4QG
Tel: 01342 810302 | Email: office@westhoathlyschool.co.uk
Headteacher: Annabelle Fox

EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS)

Our EYFS computing syllabus consists of 6 strands, each lasting half a term.  It is designed to provide the children with the basic skills and knowledge needed to navigate computers, access software, make selections and introduce programming.

TERM STRAND FOCUS
Autumn (1) Mouse Skills Mouse control and button functionality
Autumn (2) Digital Artwork Using icons to make selections and mouse precision
Spring (1) Accessing User Accounts Learning to log on independently
Spring (2) Keyboard Skills Keyboard Recognition and key functionality
Summer (1) Web Skills Web searches and accessing online activities
Summer (2) Programming & Controlling Learning to program a simple education robot

AUTUMN (1) MOUSE SKILLS

In this strand we introduce children to computing lessons at West Hoathly School.  They start by working on their Mouse Skills.  Surprisingly, fewer pupils join us with these skills today, than did a few years ago.  This is due to the children using tablet computers at home.

The children learn to:

  • Move the mouse pointer with ease.
  • Position the mouse pointer with ease.
  • Single click with ease.
  • Double click with ease.
  • Drag & drop with ease.
  • Select a drop-down option or pop-up.
  • Identify when single or double clicks are used.
     

Software Used

We start the topic with Inclusive Technology’s 'IT Mouse Skills' software.  Learners are taken through the many applications of the mouse, stage by stage.  Move the mouse over an object, drag and drop, drag along a path and the use of drop-down menus are all represented.  Various clicking activities can be found such as clicking anywhere, click timing and double clicking.

Websites Used

After about 3 weeks, we add in some online mouse skills activities, to provide variety and enrich the children's learning.

Product Website Address Description - Covers learning to...
Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids https://www.roomrecess.com/Puzzles/Farm
/jigsaw.html		 Drag and drop, and rotate items.
Letter Magnets https://www.roomrecess.com/Tools/
LetterMagnets/play.html		 Drag and drop, and make words.
Make a Face https://www.abcya.com/games/make_a_face Drag and drop, and make selections.
Number Magnets https://www.roomrecess.com/Tools/
NumberMagnets/play.html		 Drag and drop, and make numbers or do sums.
Gold Train

https://goldtrain.frvr.com/

 Click, drag and drop.  Also, is great for problem solving.
Road Trip https://roadtrip.frvr.com/ Click, drag and drop.  Also, is great for problem solving.
Dragon Drop https://www.roomrecess.com/games/
DragonDrop/play.html		 Drag and drop, clicking, double clicking, and coordination.  Note:  Younger learners may get frustrated at first, as they do not have the  necessary mouse control - It is worth persisting however!
Keyboard Challenge https://www.abcya.com/games/
keyboard_challenge		 Drag and drop, but is designed to help children to learn key positions; by having to rebuild a keyboard.  Learners can do letters and numbers only, or all of the keys.


AUTUMN (2) DIGITAL ARTWORK

In this strand the children will be using a paint style program called Colour Magic to create digital images, and improve mouse precision.  They will also learn to make selections using icons.   Unfortunately, Colour Magic is no longer produced, although there are some free downloads online.  CAUTION: The software downloads can be bundled with unwanted programs, or be infected with viruses.

The children learn to:

  • Use the Solid Brush, Spray Can, Lines and Shapes tools to create pictures.
  • Use the Solid Fill tool to add background colour and colour within drawn images.
  • Select the tool size.
  • Select a colour.
  • Use the Eraser to rub out unwanted items.
  • Use Undo and Redo to correct work.
  • Use Clear All to clear the page.
  • Print out their work.

Each of the images created will be themed around celebrations, i.e. Bonfire Night and Christmas.  New tools and skills are introduced on a week-by-week basis, gradually building up the children's competency.

SPRING (1) ACCESSING USER ACCOUNTS

In this strand the children will be learning to access User Accounts; about Usernames & Passwords, and how to Sign Out and Shut Down.  They do not have their own accounts at this stage, but use a shared class account.  They will also start learning about the standard QWERTY keyboard, although this is only an introduction, as it covered in more depth in the next strand.

The children learn to:

  • Recognise the Power Buttons on the computer base unit and monitor.
  • Understand what a User Account is on a simplistic level.
  • Recognise a computer access Username field.
  • Recognise a computer access Password field.
  • Recognise the Show Password button and understand its purpose.
  • Recognise the Submit User Details (Arrow) button and understand its purpose.
  • Access the Log On screen.
  • Log into their class user accounts.
  • Recognise the Enter key and Space Bar.
  • Recognise the letter keys and practice using them.
     

SPRING (2) KEYBOARD SKILLS

In this strand the children will be working on Keyboard Recognition.  They will be learning about the layout; focusing on where letters, numbers, and punctuation, etc. are located.  In addition to this, they will also learn to recognise the Spacebar, Enter, Backspace Caps Lock and Shift keys.  I have listed the websites used, in order of difficulty.
Keyboard Recognition Website Address Description - Activities focus on...
Big Brown Bear http://www.bigbrownbear.co.uk/
keyboardgame/		 The letter key positions and introduces the Spacebar.  Also helps with letter recognition generally.
Three Strikes http://www.bigbrownbear.co.uk/
threestrikes/		 Improving accuracy in relation to the letter keys.
Letter Leaper https://www.roomrecess.com/
games/LetterLeaper/play.html		 The letter keys, in a fun and entertaining way.  You can chose to work on all 26 letters, or pick from homerow, top row, and bottom row.   The children love this activity.
Keyboarding Zoo https://www.abcya.com/games/
keyboarding_practice

The letter keys, using either the letter names or their sounds.  We have to point out to the children that we say Zed rather than Zee.  Uppercase letters, numbers and symbols are coming soon!
Popup Game https://www.typingclass.co.uk/
popup/index.html

Improving speed in relation to the letter keys.  A single key at a time.
Perfection https://www.roomrecess.com/
mobile/Perfection/play.html		 Improving speed in relation to the letter keys and introduces the Enter key.  Multiple letters at a time.
Alpha Quick https://www.roomrecess.com/
mobile/AlphaQuick/play.html		 Improving speed by typing the entire alphabet.
Keyboard Challenge https://www.abcya.com/games/
keyboard_challenge		 Helps children to learn key positions by having to rebuild a keyboard.  Learners can do letters and numbers only, or all of the keys.

 

SUMMER (1) WEB SEARCHES

In this strand we use Safe Search, a child friendly web browser, which simplifies learning to carry out web searches.   We focus on image searches, as they are not reliant on reading ability. 

The children learn to:

  • Enter a simple search criteria – building up to a maximum of 3 words, i.e. bears, Paddington Bear, Winne the Pooh.
  • Amend the search criteria.
  • Access images from the search results.
  • Use the Back/Forward buttons to return to the search results or a page.
  • Recognise hyperlinks and understand that they are used to move around the Internet.
  • Recognise when a hyperlink has opened a new window and how to close the tab to return to the search results.

Safe Search: https://primaryschoolict.com

SUMMER (2) PROGRAMMING & CONTROLLING

In this strand we introduce the children to programming physical devices.  Using Beebots, simple education robots, the children learn to program them to move forwards and backwards, and to do quarter turns to the left and right.  

 

See Bee-Bot Emulator, a  simplified, free, online verision of the software we use in school.
https://beebot.terrapinlogo.com/

Working in teams the children complete a number of activities, which include:

  • Beetbot Dancing - Programming simple sequences and repeating them to make Beebot dance.  We syncronise the Beebots; pressing the GO button, the make them all move at the same time - It's a bit like doing the Hokey Cokey.
  • Beebot Racing - Throwing giant dice and programming the Beebots to move the number of spaces rolled.  The first team passed the finish line wins - The Children love it, they get very excited!
  • Beetbot Pollen Collecting - Programming Beebot to collect pollen balls in little trailers attached to them.
  • Beebot Travels - Programming the Beebots to move to specific locations on floor mats.  Each of the mats are themed and are cross-curricular,  they include shapes, coins, letters, and many more.  I tend to make my own as it is very expensive to buy multiples.

GENERAL RESOURCES (EYFS AND YEAR 1)

The following websites and apps are favourites with the younger children, and/or provide good resources for them.

Product Website Address / App Stores Description
ABCya https://www.abcya.com/ Loads of educational games, activities, quizzes, articles and more, organised by US Grade.
Pet Bingo Free from the Apple and Play Stores Covers addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as times tables.
Sheppard Online http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ Hundreds of educational games, activities, quizzes, articles and more.  CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE as they were developed using Adobe Flash.

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