DBE Coding and Robotics Curriculum - Complete Summary¶

Week-Long Teacher Training Workshop¶

Overview¶

This curriculum provides a comprehensive week-long (5-day) teacher training program for DBE educators in South Africa. The curriculum covers Scratch programming (Days 1-2), Physical Computing with Scratch for Arduino (Day 3), Micro:bit (Parts 1 and 2, Days 4-5), and Code Club introduction, with a focus on practical classroom integration. Reference material on cloud computing and hardware is in resources/cloud-computing/ and resources/hardware/.

Curriculum Structure¶

Day 1: Introduction to Coding with Scratch¶

Files Created: - day-01-scratch/lesson-plan.md - Complete day plan with timing - day-01-scratch/scratch-introduction-guide.md - Comprehensive Scratch guide - day-01-scratch/activities/computational-thinking-exercises.md - Hands-on activities - day-01-scratch/projects/project-templates.md - 6 project templates with code - day-01-scratch/assessment/rubric.md - Complete assessment framework

Key Topics: - Computational thinking (decomposition, patterns, abstraction, algorithms) - Scratch interface and basics - Advanced Scratch concepts (variables, conditions, custom blocks) - Pedagogical applications

Day 2: Advanced Scratch Programming¶

Files: - day-02-scratch/lesson-plan.md - Complete day plan - day-02-scratch/scratch-advanced-guide.md - Advanced Scratch concepts guide - day-02-scratch/activities/advanced-scratch-activities.md - Hands-on activities - day-02-scratch/projects/project-templates.md - Advanced project templates (games, simulations, interactive stories) - day-02-scratch/assessment/rubric.md - Assessment rubric

Key Topics: - Advanced Scratch concepts (cloning, broadcasting, advanced lists) - Complex projects and games - Curriculum integration (Maths, Languages, Science, Social Studies) - Assessment strategies and classroom management

Day 3: Physical Computing with Scratch for Arduino¶

Files: - day-03-arduino/lesson-plan.md - Complete day plan - day-03-arduino/arduino-hardware-guide.md - Comprehensive hardware guide - day-03-arduino/s4a-setup-instructions.md - Step-by-step setup guide - day-03-arduino/arduino-robotics-guide.md - Robotics applications guide - day-03-arduino/activities/wiring-diagrams.md - Visual wiring guides - day-03-arduino/activities/robotics-activities.md - Robotics activities - day-03-arduino/projects/project-guides.md - Detailed project instructions - day-03-arduino/assessment/rubric.md - Assessment rubric

Key Topics: - Arduino hardware components and basic electronics - S4A setup and firmware upload - Digital and analog I/O, sensors and actuators - Multi-sensor projects and robotics applications (motors, servos, behaviours) - Physical computing and classroom robotics

Reference: Hardware troubleshooting in resources/hardware/.

Day 4: Coding & Robotics with Micro:bit – Part 1¶

Files: - day-04-microbit/lesson-plan.md - Complete day plan - day-04-microbit/microbit-introduction-guide.md - Teacher's guide to Micro:bit and MakeCode - day-04-microbit/activities/microbit-activities.md - Hands-on activities - day-04-microbit/projects/project-templates.md - Project templates (name badge, dice, step counter, etc.) - day-04-microbit/assessment/rubric.md - Assessment rubric

Key Topics: - Micro:bit hardware and MakeCode - Inputs and outputs (buttons, sensors, LED grid, pins) - Flashing programs, Micro:bit and robotics ideas

Day 5: Coding & Robotics with Micro:bit – Part 2 (Code Club Intro)¶

Files: - day-05-microbit-codeclub/lesson-plan.md - Complete day plan - day-05-microbit-codeclub/code-club-guide.md - What is Code Club, setup, resources - day-05-microbit-codeclub/activities/code-club-activities.md - Planning and mini Code Club activities - day-05-microbit-codeclub/projects/first-code-club-session-template.md - First session planning template - day-05-microbit-codeclub/assessment/rubric.md - Assessment rubric

Key Topics: - Micro:bit Part 2 (radio, variables, deeper projects) - Code Club introduction, resources, setting up at school - Mini Code Club session, workshop wrap-up, action planning, certificates

Reference: Integration planning template in resources/templates/integration-planning-template.md.

Supporting Materials¶

Templates and Guides¶

resources/templates/lesson-plan-template.md - Reusable lesson plan template
resources/procurement-guide.md - Complete hardware/software procurement guide

Workshop Management¶

supporting-materials/pre-workshop-survey.md - Participant pre-assessment
supporting-materials/daily-reflection-template.md - Daily reflection journal
supporting-materials/workshop-evaluation-form.md - Post-workshop evaluation

File Structure¶

dbe-coding-robotics-curriculum/
├── README.md
├── CURRICULUM-SUMMARY.md (this file)
├── day-01-scratch/
│   ├── lesson-plan.md
│   ├── scratch-introduction-guide.md
│   ├── activities/
│   │   └── computational-thinking-exercises.md
│   ├── projects/
│   │   └── project-templates.md
│   └── assessment/
│       └── rubric.md
├── day-02-scratch/
│   ├── lesson-plan.md
│   ├── scratch-advanced-guide.md
│   ├── activities/
│   │   └── advanced-scratch-activities.md
│   ├── projects/
│   │   └── project-templates.md
│   └── assessment/
│       └── rubric.md
├── day-03-arduino/
│   ├── lesson-plan.md
│   ├── arduino-hardware-guide.md
│   ├── s4a-setup-instructions.md
│   ├── arduino-robotics-guide.md
│   ├── activities/
│   │   ├── wiring-diagrams.md
│   │   └── robotics-activities.md
│   ├── projects/
│   │   └── project-guides.md
│   └── assessment/
│       └── rubric.md
├── day-04-microbit/
│   ├── lesson-plan.md
│   ├── microbit-introduction-guide.md
│   ├── activities/
│   │   └── microbit-activities.md
│   ├── projects/
│   │   └── project-templates.md
│   └── assessment/
│       └── rubric.md
├── day-05-microbit-codeclub/
│   ├── lesson-plan.md
│   ├── code-club-guide.md
│   ├── activities/
│   │   └── code-club-activities.md
│   ├── projects/
│   │   └── first-code-club-session-template.md
│   └── assessment/
│       └── rubric.md
├── resources/
│   ├── cloud-computing/     (reference: former Day 3)
│   ├── hardware/            (reference: former Day 4)
│   ├── templates/
│   │   ├── lesson-plan-template.md
│   │   └── integration-planning-template.md
│   └── procurement-guide.md
└── supporting-materials/
    ├── pre-workshop-survey.md
    ├── daily-reflection-template.md
    └── workshop-evaluation-form.md

Key Features¶

Comprehensive Coverage¶

All 5 days fully planned with timing
Activities, projects, and assessments for each day
Supporting guides and templates
Troubleshooting and procurement information

Practical Focus¶

Hands-on projects throughout
Real classroom application
DBE curriculum integration
Resource management strategies

Teacher-Friendly¶

Clear step-by-step instructions
Ready-to-use templates
Assessment rubrics
Differentiation strategies

Flexible and Adaptable¶

Can be adjusted for different contexts
Multiple project options
Various difficulty levels
Alternative approaches provided

Usage Instructions¶

For Workshop Facilitators¶

Preparation:
Review all lesson plans
Prepare materials according to procurement guide
Set up accounts for cloud platforms
Test all software and hardware
During Workshop:
Follow daily lesson plans
Use activities and projects as provided
Adapt timing as needed
Support teachers based on assessment rubrics
After Workshop:
Collect evaluation forms
Compile resource library
Facilitate teacher network
Plan follow-up support

For Teachers¶

Before Workshop:
Complete pre-workshop survey
Review any provided materials
Come with questions and goals
During Workshop:
Follow along with activities
Complete daily reflections
Build projects
Ask questions
After Workshop:
Complete evaluation form
Use integration planning template
Implement in classroom
Stay connected with network

Assessment Approach¶

Formative Assessment¶

Daily checkpoints
Observation during activities
Quick questions
Peer sharing

Summative Assessment¶

Project completion
Reflection journals
Integration plans
Capstone project
Self-assessment

Rubrics Provided¶

Day 1: Computational thinking and Scratch skills
Day 2: Advanced Scratch (cloning, broadcasting, curriculum integration)
Day 3: Hardware, S4A, and Arduino/robotics project skills
Days 4–5: Micro:bit and Code Club (see lesson plans and resources)

Resources Included¶

Project Templates¶

6 Scratch projects (Day 1)
Advanced Scratch projects – games, simulations (Day 2)
8+ Arduino projects (Day 3)
Micro:bit projects (Days 4–5)
Code Club and action planning (Day 5)
Data visualization and cloud reference in resources/cloud-computing/

Guides and References¶

Scratch introduction guide
Arduino hardware guide
S4A setup instructions
Cloud platforms guide (in resources/cloud-computing/)
Troubleshooting guide (in resources/hardware/)
Procurement guide

Templates¶

Lesson plan template
Integration planning template
Daily reflection template
Assessment rubrics

Curriculum Highlights¶

Day 1 Highlights¶

Computational thinking foundation
Scratch programming mastery
Project-based learning
Curriculum connections

Day 2 Highlights¶

Physical computing introduction
Hands-on hardware experience
Sensor and actuator integration
Real-world applications

Day 3 Highlights¶

Extended Arduino and robotics projects
Multi-sensor and actuator integration
Classroom robotics with Arduino

Day 4 Highlights¶

Micro:bit and MakeCode
Inputs, outputs, and simple robotics ideas
Managing Micro:bits in class

Day 5 Highlights¶

Micro:bit Part 2 and Code Club introduction
Mini Code Club session
Action planning and workshop wrap-up

Success Factors¶

For Successful Implementation¶

Adequate Resources:
Follow procurement guide
Start with essentials
Build inventory over time
Teacher Support:
Ongoing network
Technical support
Resource sharing
Follow-up sessions
Student Engagement:
Start with simple projects
Celebrate successes
Allow exploration
Connect to interests
Curriculum Integration:
Start with one subject
Build connections gradually
Document what works
Share with colleagues

Next Steps¶

Immediate¶

Review all materials
Prepare workshop logistics
Procure hardware/software
Set up accounts

Short-term¶

Conduct workshop
Collect feedback
Refine materials
Build teacher network

Long-term¶

Support implementation
Collect success stories
Expand curriculum
Train more teachers

Contact and Support¶

For questions, support, or feedback: - Review materials in this curriculum - Contact workshop facilitators - Connect with teacher network - Access online resources

Acknowledgments¶

This curriculum was developed to support DBE teachers in bringing coding and robotics education to South African classrooms. It emphasizes practical application, curriculum integration, and sustainable implementation.

Version Information¶

Version: 1.0 Date Created: 22 January 2025 Last Updated: 2022 January 2025 Status: Complete - Ready for Use

Thank you for using this curriculum! We hope it empowers you to bring coding and robotics to your students.