Category Archives: Computing

The Tomato Spider

Computing

This week in Computing, we learn all about the Tomato Spider. Here are some of the things we learnt… 

  • They are the size of an average tomato. 
  • They can be found in the long grass in your garden. 
  • They can also transform into birds if a predator is nearby. 
  • Finally, you will not believe this, BUT during the summer they like to sunbathe on the beach and in the winter, they like to cosy up by the fireplace. 

Here is the link where we found all this information: https://cocoon.education/tomato-spider/ 

But, the more we looked into it, we soon discovered there was no such thing as a Tomato Spider and someone had completely made it up! We researched safely on the internet to see if we could find any information on a Tomato Spider and we couldn’t find a thing!  

We were shocked to find out there was no such thing as a Tomato Spider, but this taught us that not everything we see on the internet is true and that we must always check with an adult when looking online at things we are unsure of. 

Debugging

Computing
On Friday afternoon, Toucan class were set a challenge to rescue the spaceman on 2Go on Purple Mash. The children are beginning to become very confident with logging onto the computers themselves using their emoji passwords. 
 
Before the children were set off on their challenge, we recalled what an algorithm was and what was meant by the term ‘debug.’ 
 
We had a go as a whole class first before the children went off with their partners and made a few errors, but we were able to recognise their mistakes and debug and start again!
 
The children were able to demonstrate an excellent use of two of their behaviours for learning. They worked with others to help succeed in the challenge of rescuing the spaceman. They were also able to show excellent perseverance when things went wrong and we had to debug!

Online Safety

Computing
On Friday afternoon in Computing Year 2 were discussing how to stay safe online. We went through a safer online computer agreement as a whole class and discussed the importance of staying safe online. 
 
The children have all signed an agreement about using the computers and the internet in school. We have agreed to…
  1. Ask a teacher or suitable adult if I want to use a computer.
  2. I will only use activities that a teacher or suitable adult has told or allowed me to use.
  3. I will take care of the computer and other equipment.
  4. I will ask for help or suitable adult if I am not sure what to do or if I think I have done something wrong.
  5. I will tell a teacher or a suitable adult if I see something that upsets me on the screen.
We discussed that if we were to break the rules it would mean we would not be allowed to use the computer, as well as this we spoke about how important it is for us to be nice to one another online as well as in person. In addition to this we spoke about the word ‘communicate’ and what is means. We also talked about how we can communicate with each other via the class blog on the school website.
 
What do you use the internet for at home? Please leave your comments below and get the conversation flowing!
 

Understanding cyber bullying, self image and self identity

Class Work, Computing, PSHE

Toucans discussed their understanding of cyber bullying and what to do if it ever happens.

Karly – If you receive a nasty text message you should always tell your parents.
You should block them as a contact too.

Corban – You should keep the the text as proof for evidence.

Ryan – You need to tell your parents.

Elias – You can tell the teachers at school.

The class watched an interactive film and used thumbs up/down to decide whether an action was right or wrong, related to cyber bullying. Afterwards, Mrs Parry described three photos of people and the children had to draw a quick sketch from her description. Afterwards, the class discussed who their trusted adults were, should they ever need support with cyber bullying issues. Finally, Toucans had some examples of online comments and had to decide how these would make them feel.

More Branching Databases

Circle Time, Computing

In Computing, Year 2 Toucans continued with sorting data today and some children completed their branching databases.

The children selected their own category today and sorted their items into groups by asking questions based on the group of pictures e.g “Does it have a tail?”, “Does it fly?”, “Does it eat fish?” etc.

Here are some completed branching databases.

Tatenda’s Branching Database

Ayra’s Branching Database

Jospeh’s Branching Database

Sorting information – Carroll diagram & Branching database

Class Work, Computing

In the last couple of Computing lessons with Mr Baddhan, Toucans have been learning about sorting information into groups.

Earlier this week, Mr Baddhan showed the children how shapes can be sorted using a Carroll diagram by asking questions which we fit the criteria. For example sorting a shape dependent on whether it has straight lines, more than three sides etc.

Today the children used a program called J2E Branch to sort animals into groups based on the question.

Toucans sorted their items into groups by asking questions based on the group of pictures e.g “Does it have a tail?”, “Does it fly?”, “Does it eat fish?” etc.