micro:bit Scheme of Work for KS3

Six-lesson module supports KS3 pupils learning to program with the BBC micro:bit. Best suited for Year 7, lessons progress from using the Blocks Editor, to writing Python code, and conclude with an end-of-module test.

I am amazed at the work that has gone into this... One of the most organised lessons structure for a term I have seen

L Price, peer reviewer

For each lesson:

  • Lesson plans and teacher notes to aid your preparation
    • Starter, mains and plenary activities for each lesson – with expected timings
    • Learning objectives, success criteria, keywords and required resources
  • Visual, animated PowerPoints to support delivery and engage students
  • All supporting resources – including worksheets and step-by-step guides

Well-paced lessons with solutions

A Sanders, HoD & Peer Reviewer

An excellent introduction to key coding vocabulary

D Pipe, HoD & Customer

Plus! Two additional lessons, providing interesting extension work for higher-ability (or the option of extending the module to 8 lessons)

All resources provided in editable, electronic format, accessible via a HTML interface. For easy printing (including in colour if required) and use on your school network.

What do teachers say about this resource? (7619)

Really useful - fits in nicely with our key stage 3 curriculum ... I really liked that the resource is split into individual lessons ... Its a good introduction to some of the programming constructs that are needed for text based programming and computational thinking ... fits into the national curriculum for key stage 3 for the coding strand... a good unit, well thought out and resourced

N Mounsey, Curriculum Coordinator & Peer Reviewer

Very good quality –will allow us to update our Microbit scheme of work ... an excellent introduction to key coding vocabulary that we will use right through to KS4 and KS5 ... Everything is included in Me‘box’, and is relevant to the IDEs currently available for Microbit ... High Quality – excellent value for money

D Pipe, HoD & Customer

The level of detail within the document is exemplary and possibly one of the most organised lessons structure for a term i have seen and reviewed in ZigZag - truly i am amazed the level of work that has gone into this... Scheme of work is supportive and very good, along with all the resources readily available to use for a term of work - really well done!... This would certainly would be good for those teachers that teach KS3 that are not directly employed in IT... Layout is really good - very visual and supportive for teacher - Animations are relevant in the presentation slides and help support transition of knowledge... Clear labelling of documents against the SoW is also nicely done. Content is rich and applicable to knowledge - a lot of students use BBC for revision, so it is nice to see this scheme available on Microbit (also takes the pressure off heads creating resources for staff). Its all done in 1 package.

L Price, peer reviewer

A clear scheme of work that shows clearly learning outcomes and describes in detail all the different stages and activities for each lesson. The activities are divided into lessons which makes it a lot easier to organise the different activities and prepare for the delivery of the lessons. Lesson plans are written with lots of details and makes the whole process of preparation easier. All the resources needed for each lesson are included and nothing has to be prepared extra for the lesson... I highly value the extra lessons included in the scheme of work for the high flyers. I think this is a brilliant idea as it gives extra material for the teachers in case some of the students goes ahead of the rest. The presentations are good and colorful to keep the students attention and the paper resources are designed for the right level of the students... The presentation and layout are appropriate for the age group that was designed for. Clear presentation, clear diagrams and pictures. Easy to follow and understand.

H Gonzalez. peer reviewer

Very concise resources that provide well paced lessons with solutions. The resource includes a scheme of work which details the activities for each lesson, including resources required and timings. An amazing resources that takes away a lot of planning away from the teacher ... Having the hex code for the micro:bit provided is really useful, This will enable pupils who may not be able to solve these solutions within the lesson time to use as a starting point. The hex codes can then be edited and pupils can complete a debugging exercise that would be easy for the teacher to execute ... This resource allows the teacher to focus on the deliver of the programming concepts used, rather than having to create resources from scratch. The resources allow for creative and flexible learning by the pupils that is reviewed with an end unit test. The resources ensure that pupils have learning that is fun and effective at getting then to program ... can allow pupils to use a text based language and get instant feedback, so pupils can see what happens with their programming

A Sanders, HoD & Peer Reviewer

A very useful resource, especially for a non-subject specialist to deliver from, as all of the code solutions and resources are easy to follow. The lesson plans are logical and are well ordered. There is a good range of extension tasks and the PPTs are useful as a suppliment... I think there is a good educational worth to this resource, the SOW starts off simple using the block editor and then progresses nicely to a Python example coding activity. I also think that the assessment is good and I like how it is broken down into theoritical and practical activities... I think this closley matches the Computer Science KS3 curriculum and covers many of the key objectives.

R Howlett, peer reviewer

It's good – the presentation is excellent and the material is clear.

A Limbada, peer reviewer

A good match to the KS3 programme of study.

S Snowden, peer reviewer

The SoW is well written with good range of activities to complete. The activities are well thought out in terms of guidance and additional teaching resources... The additional lessons will be ideal for those who wish to be challenged further or for those learners who will complete the tasks quicker than others

P Holt, peer reviewer