New
New
Year 5

Connecting physical computing devices

I can control a simple circuit connected to a computer

New
New
Year 5

Connecting physical computing devices

I can control a simple circuit connected to a computer

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A simple circuit can be connected to and controlled by a microcontroller.
  2. Software is used to program a microcontroller.
  3. A microcontroller can be programmed to switch an LED on.

Keywords

  • Microcontroller - a small computer that can be programmed to control output components and respond to inputs

  • Crumble - a microcontroller which can control outputs and respond to inputs

  • Sparkle - an LED light that can connect to a Crumble

Common misconception

Any wire can connect any component and the circuit will work.

Specific pads must be connected correctly to complete a circuit. Circuits that are not complete will not work as charge will not be able to flow.


To help you plan your year 5 computing lesson on: Connecting physical computing devices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

File needed for this lesson

  • Year 5 Lesson 1 - Crumble flash white code 1.16 KB (CRM)

Download this file to use in the lesson.

Before the lesson, download ‘Year 5 Lesson 1 - Crumble flash white code.crm’ to each Crumble controller. This will make the Sparkle flash white when your students correctly connect all the components and switch the battery pack on.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Crumble microcontrollers, crocodile clips, battery packs, Sparkle LEDs. Other microcontrollers can be used as replacements.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an input in computing?
Correct answer: a device that sends data to a computer
a device that receives data from a computer
a computer program
a type of storage
Q2.
Which of these is an example of output?
keyboard
mouse
Correct answer: monitor
microphone
Q3.
What does Scratch allow you to create?
robots
documents
Correct answer: block-based programs
websites
Q4.
What is an LED?
a type of battery
a computer program
Correct answer: a light-emitting diode
a type of switch
Q5.
Which of these is needed to build a circuit?
monitor
keyboard
mouse
Correct answer: wires
Q6.
What is block-based coding?
writing essays on a computer
Correct answer: writing code using blocks instead of text
building structures with blocks
drawing pictures with software

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a microcontroller?
Correct answer: a small computer that can control outputs and respond to inputs
a device that stores data
a type of LED
a wire used in circuits
Q2.
What is the name of the microcontroller that can control outputs and respond to inputs?
Correct Answer: Crumble
Q3.
Match the terms to their definitions:
Correct Answer:microcontroller,a small computer that controls outputs and inputs

a small computer that controls outputs and inputs

Correct Answer:Crumble,a microcontroller that controls outputs and inputs

a microcontroller that controls outputs and inputs

Correct Answer:Sparkle,an LED light that connects to a Crumble

an LED light that connects to a Crumble

Correct Answer:wire,connects components in a circuit

connects components in a circuit

Q4.
Which of these is an output component?
Correct answer: Sparkle LED
Crumble
wire
power supply
Q5.
What is the purpose of testing a circuit?
to build a new circuit
to write code
to design a diagram
Correct answer: to check if it works
Q6.
Which pad on the Crumble connects to the negative side of a Sparkle?
signal pad
power pad
Correct answer: - pad
+ pad