Resources
Free resources to support teaching of Computing and digital skills in primary schools!
Discovery Tours - Lesson plans and worksheets
​Ubisoft has released Discovery Tours, educational versions of the Assassin's Creed series of games.
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There are three versions of Discovery Tours, allowing children to explore Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt (at the time of the Romans) and Anglo Saxon Britain/Viking Norway.
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The world that children can explore in these games are breath-taking and a great way to help them understand these settings. I have covered the games in this blog post.
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This resource features lesson plans and activities to help teachers use Discovery Tours in lessons.
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Click here to download Ancient Greece Discovery Tours worksheet activities (PDF)
Click here to download Ancient Roman/Egypt Discovery Tours worksheet activities (PDF)
Click here to download an example lesson plan using Discovery Tours (PDF)
Chess progression of skills - Years 2 - 6
​Chess is gaining popularity in schools across the UK. Many schools run lunchtime, or after school chess clubs. Some schools run internal chess competitions and send teams to other competitions.
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​Chess teaches children valuable thinking skills. It is also a great hobby for them to build and a way for them to socialise and make new friends.
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To support teachers in teaching chess, I have written and made available this progression of chess skills. These skills are based on my own research and understanding of the basics of chess. They can be adapted suit needs or preferences of classes.
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By the end of Year 6, it is great for children to know one opening for the white pieces and two defences for black (one against pawn to d4 and one against pawn to e4). As well as this, we aim for them to know basic chess principles, including developing (moving out) all of their back pieces, controlling the centre, castling early and defending pieces. They learn the well-known mantra, 'check, capture, attack', prioritising moves in this order. They also learn some basic tactics such as forking, discovered attacks and checkmates.
Click here to download the chess progression of skills (PDF)
Computing Pioneers Display
Click here to download the display materials relating to pioneers of Computing
Children are often fascinated by the individuals throughout history who have helped shaped modern use of computers.
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This free resource features mini-posters, featuring some of the most influential individuals responsible for pioneering use of computers.
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It can form a good link between computing and history and will encourage discussion about the impact that computers have had on society.
