The lesson: Making a database of Scottish monarchs
The lesson
Mr Shanks begins the lesson by reminding the class about the topics covered during the last two lessons on database construction and sorting. Using PowerPoint slides projected onto the whiteboard, he revises the concepts of field names and types, including how to create a field and a new record, and how to save and sort.
Finally he shows them how to view a list of records. He then introduces the idea of making a database of the kings and queens of Scotland and runs a PowerPoint presentation on how to construct field names and types. Mr Shanks shows his pupils how they can calculate how long the reigns of the monarchs lasted, by means of a simple equation using the dates of when the kings and queens died, minus the dates when they came into power.
At this point, each group is given a list of kings and queens of Scotland, including their names and the dates referred to above. Then the pupils are split into pairs to work on a laptop to create a database by inputting their records. At the end of the lesson, the pupils report their results to Mr Shanks and the class, and compare answers. Pupils managed to complete most of the requested tasks, although they did struggle with the concept of new fields.
| Making a database of Scottish monarchs | |
|---|---|
| Description | P6 pupils at Blackridge Primary School make a database of kings and queens of Scotland |
| Duration | 2 minutes 5 seconds |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Making a database of Scottish monarchs |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Making a database of Scottish monarchs |
| Transcript | Read a transcript of the Blackridge Primary School class video. |