Year 7 Computing

Unit Content

Unit 1

What is computing?

This unit introduces Year 7 students to Computing at Icknield. Students learn to log in to and navigate their Chromebooks. They focus on developing an understanding of OneNote class notebooks to support their work in Computing and across the entire school curriculum. Students learn to define data, explore what computing is really about, and complete a brief investigation into the key components of a computer. They learn the main principles of e-safety, focusing on staying safe online. ‘What is Computer science?’ is the key question that is addressed in this unit of work.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding the subject computing and the term ‘data’
  • Understanding key principles related to e-safety

Key skills developed:

  • How to navigate OneNote class notebooks
  • How to stay safe online
  • How to articulate the definition of a computer

Assessment: There is no summative, in-class assessment of this term's learning. Teachers provide formative feedback and base their judgements on students' contribution to lessons, on the quality of their OneNote pages, and on their ability to answer questions in class.

Unit 2 

Images and graphics

In this unit, students explore two different programs, gaining varied perspectives on both hardware and software, and creating enjoyable and imaginative outputs. Students design simple shapes and flags using Turtle Graphics within Python. Students also use micro:bits to create fun animations and games.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding a range of hardware and software platforms
  • Knowing different methods of creating imaginative outputs

Key skills developed:

  • How to navigate Turtle Graphics within Python
  • How to employ micro:bits technology

Assessment: Students' learning is assessed through animations  and graphics they create in this module. Teachers provide feedback on these outputs and base their judgements on students' contribution to lessons, on the quality of their OneNote pages, and on their ability to answer questions in class.

Unit 3

Computational thinking

This unit teaches computational thinking and introduces constructs and concepts within the realm of programming. Students learn about sequencing, selection and iteration through block-based and text-based programming. They also learn about the use of variables and procedures.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding key constructs and concepts in programming
  • Understanding how selection and iteration are used in programming

Key skills developed:

  • How to undertake simple block-based programming
  • How to undertake simple text-based programming
  • How to work with count-controlled loops, condition-control loops and IF statements

Assessment: Learning is assessed through retrieval quizzes within lesson tasks and formative assessment techniques such as teacher questioning and written responses to exam-style questions. 

Unit 4

Scratch programming

This unit builds directly on the previous unit's themes. It is practical in its focus, allowing students an extended opportunity to build their knowledge of programming in Scratch. Each lesson is structured around a key program which students learn to create, interrogate, modify, analyse and extend. Students learn to follow the PRIMM model: predict, run, investigate, modify, make.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing the principles underlying a range of programming resources
  • Understanding the PRIMM model

Key skills developed:

  • How predict, run, investigate, modify and make computer code
  • How to use Scratch to realise a range of different functions
  • How to evaluate and comment upon computer code

Assessment: Learning is assessed through retrieval quizzes within lesson tasks and formative assessment techniques such as teacher questioning. Scratch programs that the students create are also used to inform relevant assessment judgements.

Unit 5

Using spreadsheets

This unit moves away from the computer science branch of the curriculum, focusing instead on developing students' knowledge and skills in information technology. Students explore how to use spreadsheets, learning to add, modify, search, sort and interrogate data within Excel. They are taught how to set up simple tables using appropriate field names, how to modify tables to create a professional appearance and how to apply formulae to interrogate data.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding the concept and functionality of a spreadsheet

Key skills developed:

  • How to add, modify, search, sort and interrogate data in Excel
  • How to establish and modify tables
  • How to apply formulae to interrogate data

Assessment: Learning is assessed through retrieval quizzes within lesson tasks and formative assessment techniques such as teacher questioning. Spreadsheets that the students create are also used to inform relevant assessment judgements.

Unit 6

Text-based programming

This unit provides the first sustained focus on text-based programming for students at Icknield. Building on important concepts introduced in earlier units, students learn the format, syntax and rules of programming in a text-based language, Python.

Key knowledge developed:

  • Understanding key concepts in text-based programming
  • Understanding the procedures required to use Python

Key skills developed:

  • How to use PRINT statements
  • How to work with strings
  • How to use IF-ELSE and WHILE statements

Assessment: Learning is assessed through retrieval quizzes within lesson tasks and formative assessment techniques such as teacher questioning. The computer programs the students create are also used to inform relevant assessment judgements.