Introducing
D.a.r.e.s

An innovative project based approach to teaching computing.

What is D.a.r.e.s?

D.A.R.E.S is an innovative approach to teaching computing which encourages pupils to be critical thinkers, problems solvers and computational thinkers while creating purposeful content to demonstrate how learning can be applied across the wider curriculum.

The aim of this approach is to provide a scheme that deepen children's knowledge of computing so they can creatively apply their learning across the curriculum in a personalised and accessible way.  These may take place in computing lessons over a half term to then allow pupils to apply these creative ideas more regularly across the curriculum. We do not want to make these projects too prescriptive as we know some classes may need some more time to complete different elements. As teachers, you will know the ability of your class so please feel free to change or adapt these ideas to fit the ability of your class.

The stages which can be adapted into lessons are as follows:

D - Design: Pupils start to discuss the desired outcome for their project and are given time to tinker with the software before planning what they will do to achieve their outcome.
A - Apply: Pupils are given the opportunity to create, make and produce content using the app or software explored in the Design lesson(s)
R - Refine: Pupils spend time considering ways to modify and improve their projects to get the best results possible.
E - Evaluate: Upon completing their desired outcome, pupils are given the opportunity to reflect and consider how effectively they have achieved their goal.
S - Share: Learners are given the opportunity to publish and exhibit their work to the world embedding skills from the Digital Literacy curriculum.

D.a.r.e.s Projects available now:

We will be launching 36 packs (6 per year group from Year 1 -6) with more being added over time. Here are the packs that will be available on launch:

Year 1

Programming - Robot Maze Game in ScratchJr
Programming -  Animations in ScratchJr
Video Creation - Creating Our Own Video
Animation - Creating a Cartoon
Data Handling - Digital Pictograms
Animation - Bringing Character to Life

Year 2

Programming - My Robot Helper ScratchJr 
Programming -  Knock Knock Joke
Data Handling - Digital Venn Diagrams
Photography - Simple Photoshopping
Presentations - Interactive Images
Video Creation - Masking Storytime

Year 3 

Programming - Animations in Scratch
Physical Computing - Crumble powered historical scenes
AR & VR - Creating 360 Images
Data Handling - Interactive Story Graphs
Presentation - Interactive Comics
Video Creation - Voiceover Film

Year 4 

Physical Computing - Crumble powered robot orchestra
Programming -  Makey Makey Games Controller 
Data Handling - Online Questionnaire
Presentation - Digital Posters
Sound - Movie Soundtrack
Video Creation - Visual Storytelling

Year 5

​Programming - Quizzes in Scratch
Programming - Yr 5 Scratch Platform Game
Animation - Character Interviews
AR & VR - Interactive Displays
Sound - Four Chord Remix
Video Creation - Greenscreen News Report

Year 6 

Programming - 3D Letters Beetle Blocks 
Programming - Scratch Game
Animation - 3D Animated Cartoon
AR & VR - Interactive VR Experience
Presentation - App Prototype
Video Creation - Greenscreen Special Effects

There will be more projects added over time to link to every objective in the Progression of Skills Document available on MrPICT.com. Schools will need iPads and Chromebooks/Laptops for the packs to be most effective and we will being eventually adding enough packs for schools that might only have Chromebooks or laptops. 

The D.A.R.E.S project based approach can be used as a scheme of work across a primary school and is therefore only available to whole schools who have subscribed to MrPICT.com

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