CAMBRIDGE
Primary Computing
Learner’s Book 1
Jon Chippindall, Ben Davies
& Isabella Lieghio
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3
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to Stage 1 of Cambridge Primary Computing!
There is technology all around us.
This book will help you to understand how it works.
It has lots of interesting topics and fun activities.
These will encourage you to be curious and ask lots of questions.
Questions such as:
• How many different types of computer are there?
• Do all robots look like humans?
• What is the internet and how do we connect to it?
• What does the internet allow us to do?
• How can computers help us answer questions?
You will use computing ideas for things that you
do every day, such as brushing your teeth.
You will also program a Bee-Bot™ to make it
move around your classroom floor, like the
children are doing on the front of this book.
We learn best when we are active and
working together.
The book is full of activities where you
can work with a partner or a group.
There is also a special project at the
end of each unit.
We hope you enjoy thinking and working like
a computer scientist!
Jon Chippindall, Ben Davies and Isabella Lieghio
4
Contents
Contents
How to use this book 6
1 Computational thinking and programming
1.1 Algorithms all around us 9
1.2 Bee-Bot beginnings 19
1.3 What happens next? 33
1.4 Spot the bug 49
2 Managing data
2.1 Using data 60
2.2 Collecting data 75
3 Networks and digital communication
3.1 Get connected 91
3.2 Introducing the internet 102
4 Computer systems
4.1 Types of technology 113
4.2 Ins and outs 124
4.3 Bots everywhere! 135
Glossary 146
Acknowledgements 151
Note for teachers: Throughout the resource there is a symbol to indicate where additional digital only content is
required. This content can be accessed through the Digital Learner’s Book on Cambridge GO. It can be launched
either from the Media tab or directly from the page. The symbol that denotes additional digital content is: .
The source files can also be downloaded from the Source files tab on Cambridge GO. In addition, this tab contains
a teacher guidance document which supports the delivery of digital activities and programing tasks in this
Learner’s Book.
5
How to use this book
How to use this book
In this book you will find lots of different features to help your learning.
What you will learn in
the topic.
Important words
to learn.
A reminder about what
you already know and an
activity to start you off.
Fun activities about computing.
Sometimes, you will use
a computer.
Some activities do not need
a computer. These are called
unplugged activities.
They help you to
understand important ideas
about computing.
Sometimes, you will see this
question. It will help you to
think about your work.
6
How to use this book
Tasks to help you to practise
what you have learnt.
Programming tasks are
in Unit 1.
Practical tasks are
in Unit 2.
Look out for this icon. You are
going to do an activity at the
computer using a source file
or website link. This content
can be found in the
Digital Learner’s Book on
Cambridge GO. Your teacher
will help you to get started.
Questions that help you to
check that you understand
the topic. Are you ready
to move on?
Things to remember when
you are using a computer.
Interesting facts connected
to the topic.
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How to use this book
Questions to help you think
about how you learn.
What you have learnt
in the topic.
At the end of each unit,
there is a project for you to
carry out, using what you
have learnt. You might make
something or solve
a problem.
Questions that cover what
you have learnt in the unit.
If you can answer these, you
are ready to move on to the
next unit.
8
1 Computational
thinking and
programming
1.1 Algorithms all around us
We are going to:
• learn what an algorithm is
• use an algorithm to do a task
• learn what an error is algorithm instructions
• find an error in an algorithm. error sequence
Getting started
What do you already know?
• How do you play a new game?
Most games have instructions.
The instructions are a set of words or pictures
that tell you what to do or how to make
something work.
9
1 Computational thinking and programming
Continued
Now try this!
Look at this set of instructions.
1 Spin the spinner. It will land on a number.
2 Move that number of spaces on the board.
3 If you land on a ladder, move up the ladder.
4 If you land on a snake, move down the snake.
64 62
63 61 60 59 58 57
5 The winner is the first
person to get to the 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
finish square at the 48
47
46
45
44 43 42 41
top of the board.
33 34 35 36 38 39 40
37
32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
11
16 15 14 13 12 9
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10
