Why computers use two states, and the core conversions pupils meet again at GCSE: denary to binary, binary to denary, addition and storage units.

5 complete 55-minute lessons for Year 7, ready to teach.

The lessons

1. Why binary? On/off, switches and bits.
2. Denary to 8-bit binary with the biggest-first method.
3. Binary to denary.
4. Binary addition, and spotting overflow.
5. Bits, nibbles, bytes and storage units, with a conversion and addition test.

What is included for every lesson

• A PowerPoint deck of 26 to 33 slides with speaker notes on every slide and click animations for reveals
• A 55-minute lesson plan with timings
• A printable worksheet
• An answer sheet

How it is taught

• A Do Now at the start of every lesson, to bring back earlier learning
• Hinge questions to check understanding before pupils move on
• Worked examples (I do, we do, you do), then pupil practice
• Unplugged games and mini-whiteboard activities. Each lesson mixes unplugged activities with hands-on work.
• Real photos and clear diagrams, with the photo credit on each deck
• A short exit ticket and a summary slide

Lesson 5 ends with a conversion and addition test, self-marked from a key.

Slides are editable PowerPoint (.pptx). Each lesson plan fills a full 55-minute lesson, minute by minute.

British English throughout. Part of a complete KS3 Computer Science course for Years 7 to 9.