Year 1 – Technology around us

Unit Overview

Year 1 – Technology around us

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Unit introduction
Learners will develop their understanding of technology and how it can help them in their everyday lives. They will start to become
familiar with the different components of a computer by developing their keyboard and mouse skills. Learners will also consider how to
use technology responsibly.

Note: This lesson has been planned using desktop computers and the (free) program paintz.app, however, it can be taught with laptops.
If you are using laptops for this unit, consider spending more time practising and discussing the trackpad.

Overview of lessons

Lesson Brief overview Learning objectives

1 Technology around Learners will become familiar with the term ‘technology’. They will To identify technology
us classify what is and what is not technology in their school and/or ● I can explain technology as
classroom. Learners will demonstrate their understanding of how something that helps us
technology helps us in different ways. ● I can locate examples of
technology in the classroom
● I can explain how these
technology examples help us

2 Using technology Learners will get to know the main parts of a desktop or laptop To identify a computer and its main
computer. They will practise turning on and logging in to a computer. parts
The learners will apply their knowledge of the different parts of a ● I can name the main parts of

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 Year 1 – Technology around us
Unit Overview

computer, to complete a mouse-based task. a computer

● I can switch on and log into a
computer
● I can use a mouse to click and
drag

3 Developing mouse Learners will be building on the mouse skills they were introduced to in To use a mouse in different ways
skills Lesson 2. Learners will review images of a computer to explain what ● I can use a mouse to open a
each part does. They will develop an understanding that different program
computers use different mice, but they perform the same function. They ● I can click and drag to make
will use the mouse to open a program and create a simple picture. objects on a screen
● I can use a mouse to create a
picture

4 Using a computer Learners will begin to use the computer keyboard for a purpose. They To use a keyboard to type on a
keyboard should understand that writing on a keyboard is called typing and will computer
begin to demonstrate their ability to write their name. Learners will then ● I can say what a keyboard is
save their work using the save icon and understand that this icon is for
used in lots of different programs. ● I can type my name on a
computer
● I can save my work to a file

5 Developing Learners will begin by opening a file they have previously created. They To use the keyboard to edit text
keyboard skills will demonstrate their ability to use a keyboard to edit text, by writing a ● I can open my work from a file
sentence and then deleting letters. They will also use the keyboard ● I can use the arrow keys to
arrow keys to move the text cursor in their textbox. move the cursor
● I can delete letters

6 Using a computer Learners will be introduced to the concept of using computers safely, To create rules for using technology

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 Year 1 – Technology around us
Unit Overview

responsibly within the context of a school setting. They will explore why we have responsibly
rules in school and how those rules help us, and then apply this ● I can identify rules to keep us
understanding to rules needed for using computer technology safely. safe and healthy when we are
using technology in and
beyond the home
● I can give examples of some
of these rules
● I can discuss how we benefit
from these rules

Progression
As this is a Year 1 unit, no prior knowledge is assumed. This unit progresses students’ knowledge and understanding of technology and
how they interact with it in school. Learners will build their knowledge of parts of a computer and develop the basic skills needed to
effectively use a computer keyboard and mouse. This unit directly precedes the Y2 Computer systems and networks unit, IT around us

Please see the learning graph for this unit for more information about progression.

Curriculum links
National curriculum links
● Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
● Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate, and retrieve digital content
● Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when
they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Education for a Connected World links

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 Year 1 – Technology around us
Unit Overview

Health, well-being and lifestyle

● I can identify rules that help keep us safe and healthy in and beyond the home when using technology
● I can give some simple examples
Copyright and ownership
● I know that the work I create belongs to me
● I can name my work so that others know it belongs to me

Assessment

Formative assessment
Assessment opportunities are detailed in each lesson plan. The learning objective and success criteria are introduced in the slide deck at
the beginning of each lesson and then reviewed at the end. Learners are invited to assess how well they feel they have met the learning
objective using thumbs up, thumbs sideways, or thumbs down.

Subject knowledge
Teachers need to know that the definition of technology is something that has been made with a specific purpose to help other people.
Teachers should familiarise themselves with objects which are and are not examples of technology.

Teachers will need to be aware that typing is the process of using a keyboard to write words, letters or numbers on a screen.

Enhance your subject knowledge to teach this unit through the following training opportunities:

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Unit Overview

Online courses
● Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds

Resources are updated regularly - the latest version is available at: the-cc.io/curriculum.

This resource is licensed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
licence. To view a copy of this license, visit, see creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.

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