From this year onwards, the study of computing – and specifically coding – has become mandatory in UK state secondary schools – making it the first country to do so. This is part of a long-term strategy with immediate challenges; is your department ready to deliver?

ZigZag Education has a range of great resources to support your needs – including resources for popular languages such as Python, Scratch and Visual Basic. Below are details of the top five bestselling titles. Click the links below for full resource details and to preview!

Python for KS4

Explanations, examples, tips and a wealth of questions and programming tasks make this the perfect companion for any KS4 student learning to program with Python. An essential resource for GCSE Computer Science – but still more than useful for A Level. Answers and code solutions included.

Provided in photocopiable format with Python code on CD.

Also for Python: Python Challenges for KS3/4
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Scratch Programming (2nd Edition)

Ten progressive tutorials for Scratch v1.4, providing students with the skills and understanding they need to develop their own future projects. Takes students on a journey from basic introduction through to more complex applications – making it suitable for KS3 and KS4.

Provided in both photocopiable and electronic formats (PDF files, Scratch files and HTML front-end on CD).
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PHP on a Stick

This unique all-in-one tool allows students to learn about and develop PHP and SQLite projects on their own computers using a memory stick! Contains 32 complete interactive tutorials on programming and databases, 8 working demonstrations with detailed explanations, and a unique Sandbox tool to build, run and save projects.

Provided as electronic master files on CD, for copying directly to students’ memory sticks.

Also for PHP: PHP and MySQL for A Level Projects
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Programming with Java

Comprehensive theory notes and practical activities provide a rich programming experience. Packed with troubleshooting and ‘best practice’ tips throughout. Includes everything your department needs to successfully teach Java at Key Stage 3, 4 or 5. Answers and code solutions included.

Provided in both photocopiable and electronic formats (PDF files, Java code and HTML front-end on CD).
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Visual Basic .NET Tasks

Twenty-two procedural programming tasks for students writing console applications at KS4 and KS5. The exercises challenge students’ grasp of programming fundamentals as well as more advanced areas. Also includes background theory notes offering recaps of different aspects of programming. Code solutions included.

Provided in both photocopiable and electronic formats (PDF files, VB code and HTML front-end on CD).

Also for VB.NET: Practical Programming Guides for GCSE OCR and A Level AQA Computing
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To view the full list of programming resources, click here
For a full list of ICT and Computing resources, click here
ZigZag resources come with a site copy licence, allowing you to pay once and copy as often as you need, or share on your school’s internal network.

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ZigZag Education, Unit 3, Greenway Business Centre, Doncaster Road, Bristol BS10 5PY
t: 0117 950 3199 | f: 0117 959 1695 | WJ98@zigzageducation.co.uk
Give your promotional code WJ98 to get free postage!

Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed the break and you’re looking forward to the new academic year.

Over the summer we received some great feedback about how our OnBoard service is working for you. It was great to hear how teachers throughout the UK are enjoying the service and making use of the free resources we provide!

One of the recommendations that popped up a few times was that some of you would like to see what we have for A-Level students, so we’ve provided a set of free resources from Boardworks AS English Literature!

Entitled “Starting Points”, this presentation is ideal for introducing to students the new depths of analysis and understanding they will require at AS-Level. Download it today – it’s available on our English free stuff page!

Regards,

The Boardworks team

P.S. Explore our A-Level product further: try out some samples on our website!

Being able to read is obviously important, but it isn’t much use unless the meaning of the text is clear.

And this is the reason for “comprehension” using diverse material that is enjoyable for children to tackle and which leads to the attainment of a higher level of performance in reading.

Thus we use missing word questions, interrogation of the facts, inference and deduction type questions and lots of texts throughout seven resources ranging from Year 1 to Year 7 (for gifted and talented Year 6 pupils).

Most question pages are split into three sections. Section A gives an overview of the text with missing words or phrases to find. Section B contains open-ended questions requiring inference and deduction. Section C is a relevant written challenge for more able pupils or those who work quickly.

The “Comprehension” resources are available either as photocopiable books or full colour ebooks via downloads.

What’s more they include landscape pages, which allow you to make maximum use of space on the interactive white board.

All books in the series include specimen answer sheets and written challenges at the end of each section.

If you’d like to see exactly how we have tackled this issue there are free sample pages for each resource available from our website.

You can order the Year 1 to Year 7 Comprehension books in any of these ways:

On our website
By phone on 01772 863158
By fax to 01772 866153
By email to sales@topical-resources.co.uk
By post: Topical Resources, P.O. Box 329, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire PR3 5LT

Topical Resources
P.O. Box329
Broughton
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 5LT

www.topical-resources.co.uk
sales@topical-resources.co.uk

Tel: 01772 863158

Seeing oneself as others see us is probably the most powerful self-improvement tool that there is

For most of us, the first time we see a recording of ourselves teaching it can be something of shock.

But having such a shock is worthwhile, for hearing and seeing ourselves can be incredibly beneficial. Indeed there are many teachers for whom the breakthrough from being a young, inexperienced and not particularly effective teacher, to a person who commands the classroom, starts with this experience of seeing oneself.

In many cases there are significant teaching points that can be revealed from viewing such a video. But it is also the fact that quite often teachers particularly benefit from knowing they will be the only person to see the video.

If they are then asked to report back on one or two changes that they are making as a result of watching themselves teach, then the journey to self-improvement can start.

And this is one of the key points about recording lessons: self-reflection without anyone else seeing the video can be a very powerful approach.

Many of us do find watching ourselves teach quite difficult, and the last thing we want is to share our embarrassment with others. But when we have watched such videos a few times in private, some simple issues do become revealed.

From this, most of us can understand that a slight change in the way one approaches a class can make a significant difference to the way a class responds.

It was the consideration of this process which can be the very earliest stage of self-reflection and self-improvement that led us to set up Classwatch.

With the Classwatch video system any lesson recorded can be reserved to be reviewed only by the teacher who took the lesson, with the teacher’s analysis of what he/she has discovered being discussed without others seeing the recording.

Only later when the teacher has had the chance to implement changes in his/her approach need a recording be made and shared with a relevant colleague.

You can find more information about the Classwatch system by clicking here.

Alternatively you can call us on 0800 043 9510 or email us at info@classwatch.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Andrew Jenkins