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Ready, set, code: top classroom resources to prepare for National Coding Week

National Coding Week is almost here, running from September 16 to 22, with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is an excellent time for teachers across both primary and secondary stages to immerse students in the world of programming and digital creativity. Whether you’re introducing younger pupils to coding or guiding older students through more advanced concepts, there are numerous resources and activities to make this week impactful.

Primary enrichment opportunities

While September may not coincide with your scheduled programming units, National Coding Week is an ideal time to explore enrichment activities. One standout is the Astro Pi Mission Zero, launching on September 16, where students can write a simple program to be run on the International Space Station.

Additionally, the reintroduction of Code Club provides another structured way to engage pupils with coding outside of regular lessons.

Another excellent option is the micro:bit do your bit challenge, where students can use micro:bits to tackle real-world issues, integrating digital skills with problem-solving. All these activities contribute towards the Teach primary computing certificate, offering further motivation to enrich your teaching and your students' learning!

Secondary enrichment opportunities

The enrichment activities mentioned for primary schools are equally relevant for secondary students. The Astro Pi Mission Zero, Code Club, and the micro:bit do your bit challenge offer engaging ways to celebrate National Coding Week. These activities can be seamlessly integrated into your classroom or used as extracurricular opportunities.

Additionally, Isaac Computer Science offers specific programming events to help secondary students hone their skills:

These events are the perfect starting place for students wanting to boost their understanding of key programming concepts.

Primary programming resources

For primary school teachers, the Teach Computing Curriculum (TCC) offers a wealth of programming units across year groups:

Year 1: Moving a robot

Year 2: Robot algorithms

Year 3: Sequencing sounds

Year 4: Repetition in shapes

Year 5: Selection in physical computing

Year 6: Variables in games

Secondary programming resources

The TCC also offers a wealth of programming units across year groups in secondary, including:

These units provide a structured pathway for students to develop their coding skills, building a solid foundation in programming.

Professional development for all teachers

To support you in delivering high-quality programming lessons, a variety of CPD opportunities are available:

Online:

Remote:

Face to face:

Residential:

Pedagogy quick reads

Finally, don't forget about our quick-read pedagogy resources! These brief documents can help enhance your programming lessons and are available for you to reference whenever needed:

  • PRIMM: A method for structuring programming lessons effectively.
  • Pair Programming: A strategy where students work together to write a program, fostering collaboration and deeper understanding.

With the National Centre for Computing Education, you can make National Coding Week a launchpad for your students’ coding journeys, sparking their interest in AI and the broader digital world.