Computing

1st lesson – Amazon Rainforest

Today we looked on digimaps for the first time to find out where the Amazon is and found out some key facts about it. We looked at population, climate, biomes and much more. Amazing work year 5.

World Climates

We looked at why our world has different climates and we also explored digimaps to find different temperatures across earth.

Famous people around our school!

As part of our 150th anniversary, Year 2 have been researching famous people from our local area. We combined this work with our computing topic! We’ve made posters about Natasha Jonas (who went to our school), Tony Bellew, Gerry Marsden, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ringo Starr and Cliff Marshall

Liverpool: A Walking Tour

We have just started working on our Geography project, planning a route around Liverpool to take in all the famous tourist sites. We also used Google Maps to help plan our routes, directions and visualise the landmarks.

Year 3 Computing

Year 3 spent their computing lesson focusing on the basics of using Microsoft Powerpoint by creating a fact presentation on an animal of their choice. Children needed to use different fonts and colours when creating their title slide and when inserting their facts page. We then looked at how  to insert and edit images linked to their hobbies. Children used the insert online pictures features, searched for their image of choice and inserted it and then edited the size to allow it to fit into the slide.

Synonyms

This morning we focused on synonyms for the 6 words we have been looking at in Jemmy Button – voyage, magnificent, civilised, year, gazed and savages. We then recorded the best alternative words to use in our future work.

World Earth Day 🌍

Today we learnt about renewable resources and what we’re hoping for, for the future. We made websites to promote our ideas especially since it’s our future!

Lowry Digital Art

We are creating Lowry street scenes using digital imagery.

Edublocks- Python Coding

Year 6 continued to look at using python coding with the focus today being on understanding what variables are and how to create and update variable. Children created code to be able to get a turtle to draw different sized shapes by asking a question ‘How many sides?’ Children inputted different numbers to get different shapes draw on their screen.

Coding for Year 6 this afternoon

We are getting better at coding : inputting instructions and steps to carry out a design task.

Science Week: Biscuit Investigation

Year 6 investigated how long it took a range of biscuits to dissolve in warm liquid and presented findings using graph software.

Micro:bits

Year 5 continued to look at how we can program a Micro:bit. The focus today was being able to use inputs, loops and conditionals to create a reaction game. Children created a reaction game by programming a ‘Sprite’ to move left and right on the screen, when the ‘sprite’ was in the middle and they pressed the A button they scored a point, if it wasn’t in the correct spot the game restarted. We then discussed how we can use the pause button to help increase/decrease the difficulty in the game.

Edublocks Lesson 2

Children continued to look at using python coding with Edublocks, this lesson we focused on how we can use the repeat loop, colours and movement draw a shape and use that shape to create a pattern. We also looked at how we can use a variables to create different colours to allow a colour change everytime a sequence has been completed.

Edublocks Lesson 2

Year 6 continued to look at using python coding with Edublocks, this lesson we focused on how we can use the repeat loop, colours and movement draw a shape. We discussed the importance of using the angles in the turn section to be able to draw different shapes.

Art project

What an amazing start to our art project. The children created their very own paper and then decorated it. Next in our sustainability art project is to up cycle clothing. We can’t wait for the outcomes.

Computing Micro:bits

Year 5 were introduced to Mirco:bits. We focused on being able to use the string block to display text and coded the LEDs to display different animations. We then looked at how to download our created code to a microbit.

Year 6- Edublocks Python Coding

Year 6 looked at what Edublocks is and how python coding works. Children were introduced to how we can code different elements of the program. Children created a program to allow a ‘turtle’ to draw different patterns and change colour.

On Safer Internet Day, Year 1 made some online safety superheroes. We made some amazing characters and learnt a lot about keeping safe from scams.

Year 4 Computing- Pixel Art

This half term Year 4 have been focusing on what pixels are and pixel artwork in their computing lessons. Children looked at how the amount of pixels can impact the quality of images, how we can use binary code to create different pixel images, explored how to create pixel images and used their knowledge of excel to create a pixel based image of a mosaic that they created.

Safer Internet Day 2025

Today we learnt how to keep ourselves and others safe from scams. We learnt what phishing meant and how to look out for it!

Safer Internet Day: Spotting Scams

We spent some time learning to recognise fake profiles, keeping passwords safe and identifying and knowing how to react to scam emails, pop-ups and text messages.

Y4 Safer Internet Day 2025

We explored scamming, what is meant by the word phishing and identified how to spot phishing scams such as spelling mistakes, suspicious email addresses, and personal information requests.

Computing- Altering Media

Year 3 explored inserting and editing images on a different program. Children were tasked with using powerpoint to create a picture presentation on Animals including humans. Children used ‘search from web’ feature to find pictures of different animals, they then used the colour correction tool and artistic tool to change the appearance of the image.

Art – mosaics

Year 4 designed their Roman inspired mosaics using technology before creating their own paper version.

We’re very excited to create our mosaics next week using tiles.

First computing lesson of 2025

Year 3 were so excited to resume their computing lessons. This term, the children will be leaning how to find, save and edit photos. The children enjoyed searching for photos of different animals and adding a filter to them 🐶🐱🐻🐰🐤

A great end to this half term!

An amazing Mario Kart tournament to celebrate the holidays!

Algorithms in Year 2

We have been working on our barefoot computing skills. We followed patterns and created our own for a partner too

Celebrating differences 🌎

For our PSHE lesson we are celebrating differences. In previous weeks we have spoken about racism, bullying and rumours and now we are researching a range of countries and what their culture looks like.

Alien Invasion！

Today we created our own aliens to use within our games.

Computing

Year 6 recapped over what we had been creating last week. Children ensured their code worked for moving their spaceship and ensuring their laser would move when space key was pressed. Children then inserted ‘power-ups’ to add extra time and lives and then used conditional statements to get them to work in their game.

Computing Using Variables

Year 5 built on their knowledge of Variables with the focus today being on using a Score and timer variable. We created a quiz program were children had to get a Sprite to ask a question and using a conditional else statement they were able to code the correct and incorrect answers. Children then coded the ‘stage’ to begin the timer for their quiz.

Computing- Variables

Year 5 looked at how we can use variables in programming. We discussed as a class what variables are, providing examples and how computers can use them to store information. We then moved onto create a program on Scratch recapping how we can use different events and movements on characters and included a timer variable.

Design and broadcasting messages Scratch

Year 6 have been starting a new project on Scratch. Children have begun to create their own space invaders game. Yesterday we focused on laying the ‘foundations’ ready to start coding during the next lesson, children designed a different series of backgrounds in order for a program to broadcast a message.

Year 5 Computing

Year 5 started a new topic using Scratch. Today we focused on conditionals and how they are used. We discussed as a class what a conditional was and how we can use ‘If’ statements to give our programs a condition to work in. Children then created a program to get a character to move using the keyboard and pick up a ball when they reached it.

In computing we loved using the laptops to explore and used our knowledge of computer terminology.

PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

We are loving our photography work in computing! We are getting so good at taking pictures and recognising when we need light, dark, flash, close ups etc

Using Scratch

Year 3 really enjoyed this weeks computing lesson. They all love using scratch to code and create their characters.

Year 3 Computing

This week year 3 have their computing lesson consolidating the coding that has been covered over the past few weeks. We have managed to get two characters to move separate ways by using different events and different motion blocks, we then introduced repeats and how we can use these to keep our code nice and tidy.

In computing, we had a go at labelling different parts of a computer!

In Year 1, we have been looking at computers and went around school to find different types of computers!

Using a combination of skills today…

In Year 6 today, we combined our learning from Geography and English by using our computer skills to present the information we have discovered into Google Sites to create our own web pages.

Portrait and Landscape

This week we have explored using portrait and landscape when taking photographs. We identified when it was better to use portrait and when it was better to use landscape. Great work Year 2.

Year 4 Computing

On Thursday afternoon children continued to create programs using repeat loops. This program consisted of using repeat and forever loops to allow a pattern to be created using the pen tool on Scratch.

Year 3 Coding- Scratch

Year 3 have been introduced to scratch. Children navigated to the website and created a new project. Today we focused on being able to create and insert sprites and backgrounds and then looked at how we can code a sprite to change costume when pressing the green flag.

Year 4- Repetition Loops Scratch

Year 4 continued to look at how we can use repeat loops to benefit code. They focused on being able to use a repeat loops to get two separate characters to move in different ways, one moving when the mouse is moving and the other to move by itself and change direction when hitting a wall.

Photography Fun

We have started our new topic in computing – photography! We decided which objects could take photographs before playing photography bingo. We took selfies, objects, close ups and action shots. We then reviewed our work and picked our favourite photographs.

Mondays are for coding!

A great afternoon in our computing lesson.
Today, the children used the IT suite and developed computing skills by logging onto the computer, opening a website and paying a coding game, ‘Rodocodo.’ Mathematics and direction skills game into play when deciding how many jumps their character needed to make. The children really enjoyed this.

Blooket fun in Year 2

In Year 2 we have discovered Blooket and we can’t get enough! We’ve used it to test our times table knowledge this week (as well as lots more too.)

Pic Collage – Kenyan Village

As part of our Geography topic we are comparing Kenyan villages and cities with Liverpool. We are making pic collages in computing to depict life in each area. On Thursday we made our Village posters of Maasai. Keep your eyes peeled for more next week as begin to compare and contrast in more detail,

Year 6 PEGI ratings.

Year 6 this looked at PEGI ratings. We discussed as a class what PEGI ratings are and why they are used. We looked at different types of PEGI ratings and how the company decide different games the ratings. Children then used Canva to create an informative poster on PEGI ratings.

Finding out about the PEGI age rating system

What are age ratings? How do they apply to us? What do they mean? Where are they used?

Year 6 Computing- Social Media

Year 6 has spent the last few weeks investigating social media. Children have spent sessions investigating the different types of social media and how you can access features of them in a range of ways. Children picked some different examples and created a pros and cons list about each one.

Modifying Text and Images

We created posters on Word.

We shared our favourite animals, changed the font, colour, size and style and even added images too,

Amazing work Year 2

Computing – using bold, italics and underlining tools

Today we explored the bold, italic and underlining tools (as well as recapping our knowledge of fonts, colour and size.)

Year 3 Altering Media

Year 3 have continued to look at Altering media. Children recapped how we can edit the photos to change its appearance. They were then set a task to use a photo editor to change a bright image of a forest into a dark and ‘gloomy’ one.

Changing fonts, colours and size

Year 2 have started to usePowerPoint in Computing. We have looked at how to add text, change the font, colour and size. We also started to change the theme.

Year 3- Altering Media

This afternoon Year 3 continued looking at Altering Media, the focus today was being able to edit pictures to change their appearance. Children used Flickr to search for images linked to Italian food, then using the edit feature in Microsoft Photos children needed to change the appearance of the photo by changing the position, adding in filters and making other adjustments.

Year 4

Children have built on their knowledge of coding in Scratch. They have created a program today using repeat loops, controlling a character with a mouse as well as including a Score variable.

Year 3- Altering Digital Media

Year 3 continued their new unit Altering Media. Today we focused on the importance of using the correct style of images when making a collage of pictures to advertise a place. We used Google images and Flickr to get a selection of images to advertise Italy. We discussed the importance of picking the correct type of image ensuring the brightness was correct and it demonstrated the features wanted to show.

Year 3- Altering Media

Monday afternoon Year 3 started their unit focusing on media and photographs. Children spent the lesson becoming familiar with how to correctly take a photograph. We created a checklist on the best way to use the camera on an iPad and children then spent the lesson taking a range of images.

Year 5 Computing

Year 5 continued to look at how we can use variables in our programming. Children created a multiplication quiz on Scratch including variables for scores and a timer.

Year 6- Google Sites

In the last two computing sessions Year 6 have been getting themselves familiar with Google Sites. Children have explored how to add content blocks, edit text and embedding videos. Children have then created a website about a topic of their own choice.

Safer Internet Day

Year 6 are finding out about AI as part of their Safer Internet Day work.

How will AI change our lives?

How has tech changed through time?

Year 3 Computing- Scratch

This afternoon Year 3 have been using all the skills that have been developed over the past few weeks to create a pong game. Children needed to use repeat loops, If statements and motion blocks to create their game.

Year 4 Pixel Mosaics

This afternoon Year 4 have been converting a mosaic into a pixel-style image. Children had to work out how they could convert the different sections into a 14 x 14 grid to ensure their design stayed symmetrical, children designed it onto a piece of paper ready to create a digital version next week.

Year 3 Scratch

This afternoon we focused on being able to use the wait block when controlling Sprites. Children used this block to get two Sprites to tell a knock knock joke.

Year 4 Pixel Art

This afternoon Year 4 have continued to build on their understand of how Pixels are used. Children used a website to recreate an image in pixel form. Children created it on paper first and then used excel to start to recreate their image.

Year 3 Scratch

Year 3 have continued to explore Scratch. Yesterday we investigated how we can use the x and y axis to get a Sprite to move to a specific location on the screen. Children were able to plot their Sprite to move to a certain position and then change costume

Mosques Around The World

As part of our RE unit, we are finding out about mosques around the world and presenting our findings in Google Slides.

Year 6 Python Coding

Year 6 focused on using python coding to make a Christmas tree. As a class we created code for a triangle to be drawn, focusing on the importance of our use of brackets and spacing between words. Children then used the base code to create a Christmas tree image, each section had to be a different colour.

Year 5 Micro:Bit

This afternoon children have looked at how we can use a Micro:bit to create a multiplication game. Children needed to create number variables and then use multiplication to be able to get the numbers to multiply and together and display on the Micro:bit.

Year 5 Micro:bit

This afternoon Year 5 have continued to explore how we can code a Micro:bit. Today we looked at how to set and change the brightness of the LED lights on the Micro:bit when a button was pressed. Children then created code for it to display a sequence of different images.

Year 6 Python Coding

This afternoon Year 6 have continued to look at Python coding using Edublocks. Today children used lists, logic, loops, variables, and math to get a “turtle” to create a pattern with whilst changing colours after a number of turns.

Year 5 Coding

This afternoon Year 5 completed a coding activity on Hour of Code. Children used blocked coding to create images and animations. Children focused on the positioning of their shapes as well as inserting different blocks to make their code more efficient. Children then had to debug their code to makesure it works.

Year 6 Computing

Year 6 this afternoon continued to look at Python coding. Children used If statements and variables to create a program that drew a shape in a particular colour by asking questions.

Year 5 Computing Micro:bit

Wednesday afternoon Year 5 have continued to explore Mico:bits. Children used variables, If statements and Inputs to get a Micro:bit to play Rock, Paper & Scissors.

We reviewed our favourite photographs…

We reviewed our favourite photographs and discussed the impact the darkness or light had on our pictures #smithdowncomputing

In computing we took photographs in dark places.

In computing we took photographs in dark places. We then spoke about lighting, used torches and other light sources to improve our pictures #smithdowncomputing

We are loving our computing topic – photography!

We are loving our computing topic – photography! Today we thought about what makes a good photograph and had to capture a range of different images using different criteria. #smithdowncomputing

We then went back to class and reviewed our work…

We then went back to class and reviewed our work

We started our new computing topic and became photographers this week

We started our new computing topic and became photographers this week. We played photography bingo and experimented with different subjects #smithdowncomputing