Digital Literacy & Applied ICT · long-term overview
Year 4 — Organising work and first collaboration
Folders, Word in depth, email, sharing and co-editing.Folders, Google Docs in depth, email, sharing and co-editing.Folders, Pages in depth, email, sharing and co-editing.
- Apps: Microsoft 365Google Workspace for EducationApple (iPad-led)
- Shape: 30 minutes per week · 30 weeks per year · iPad and Windows (Microsoft 365)30 minutes per week · 30 weeks per year · tablet and Chromebook (Google Workspace)30 minutes per week · 30 weeks per year · iPad-led (Pages, Keynote, Numbers)
- Lessons: 30 weekly + 3 optional extras
Before you start
Each year is 30 weeks across six half-terms of five weeks. This is a long-term map: it gives the weekly focus, an “I can…” objective, the apps and the safety link. Weeks are a guide; half-terms can be reordered to suit your calendar, though skills within a year build in sequence.
Almost everything runs in a browser or the Microsoft 365 web apps, so it works on both iPads and Windows laptops. Where a task is smoother on a laptop (for example Excel, file management in File Explorer, or Teams), that is noted in the “Tools / apps” column. “Word for the web” is used where real-time co-authoring is the point of the lesson.Almost everything runs in the browser, so it works on both tablets and Chromebooks. Where a task is smoother with a keyboard and trackpad (for example Google Sheets, file management in the Files app, or Google Classroom), that is noted in the “Tools / apps” column. Sharing a Google Doc with editing rights is used where real-time co-editing is the point of the lesson.Everything here runs on the iPad, in the built-in apps or in Safari. Where a task is smoother with a keyboard (for example Numbers, or longer writing in Pages), attach one if you have them. Pages with Collaborate turned on is used where real-time co-editing is the point of the lesson. Email, surveys and handing work out come from your school's Microsoft or Google accounts.
The online-safety strand opens each half-term — shaded on screen, marked ▪ in print — and maps to a ready-made ProjectEVOLVE activity, so staff export an age-appropriate lesson rather than plan from scratch. Rows marked “Optional” sit outside the 30 weeks — take them if there is room, skip them without breaking the sequence.
Apps used this year
| App | What it is used for | Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| WordGoogle DocsPages | Writing and layout. Save to OneDrive so work follows pupils across devices.Writing and layout. Saves to Google Drive automatically, so work follows pupils across devices.Writing and layout. Save to iCloud Drive so work follows pupils across devices. | 8 |
| OneDriveGoogle DriveiCloud Drive | Cloud storage. The home for everything — saving, organising, sharing, versions.Cloud storage. The home for everything — saving, organising, sharing, version history.Cloud storage in the Files app. The home for everything — saving, organising, sharing, versions. | 6 |
| Web browser | Works on iPad and laptop. Used for searching and for ProjectEVOLVE lessons.Chrome on a Chromebook or tablet. Used for searching and for ProjectEVOLVE lessons.Safari on the iPad. Used for searching and for ProjectEVOLVE lessons. | 6 |
| Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | The browser version — use it when real-time co-authoring is the point of the lesson.The same Google Doc, shared with editing rights — use it when real-time co-editing is the point of the lesson.Pages with Collaborate turned on — use it when real-time co-editing is the point of the lesson. | 5 |
| OutlookGmailMail | School email. Set up a class distribution list before the first email lesson.School email. Set up a class Google Group before the first email lesson, and check pupil sending is allowed in the Admin console.The iPad Mail app, signed in to your school's Microsoft or Google email. Set up a class group before the first email lesson. | 4 |
| PowerPointGoogle SlidesKeynote | Slides and presenting. Keep templates simple so pupils focus on the content.Slides and presenting. Keep templates simple so pupils focus on the content.Slides and presenting. Keep templates simple so pupils focus on the content — Magic Move is a good reward, not the lesson. | 3 |
| ExcelGoogle SheetsNumbers | Data, simple formulas and charts. Smoother on a laptop than an iPad.Data, simple formulas and charts. Smoother on a Chromebook than a tablet.Data, simple formulas and charts. Numbers starts from a blank canvas — add a table first. | 2 |
| File ExplorerFiles appFiles app | Windows file management — moving, copying, renaming and deleting files.The Chromebook Files app — moving, copying, renaming and deleting files.The iPad Files app — moving, copying, renaming and deleting files, on iCloud Drive and On My iPad. | 2 |
| DictateVoice typingDictation | Dictate in Word. Say “full stop” and “new line” for punctuation; check the microphone before the lesson.Voice typing in Google Docs (Tools menu). Say “full stop” and “new line” for punctuation.The microphone on the iPad keyboard. Say “full stop” and “new line” for punctuation. | 1 |
| FormsGoogle FormsForms | Quick surveys and quizzes; responses flow straight into Excel for charts.Quick surveys and quizzes; responses flow straight into Google Sheets for charts.There is no built-in iPad survey app — use Microsoft or Google Forms in Safari, whichever your school has. | 1 |
| Immersive ReaderSelect-to-SpeakSpeak Screen | Read Aloud and Immersive Reader in Word: has the text read back, and changes size, spacing and background colour.ChromeOS Select-to-Speak reads a selection aloud; Docs handles the text size, spacing and colour.Spoken Content (in Settings → Accessibility) reads the screen aloud; Pages handles size, spacing and colour. | 1 |
| Print preview before printing. Print to PDF works everywhere, and needs no printer or paper. | 1 |
Online safety this year
| Strand | What it covers | Taught in |
|---|---|---|
| Online relationships | Communicating kindly and respectfully, and managing relationships online. | wk 1 |
| Privacy & security | Protecting personal information, passwords and accounts, and spotting scams. | wk 6 |
| Online bullying | Recognising unkind behaviour online and knowing how to respond and get help. | wk 11 |
| Managing online information | Searching well, and judging whether information online is reliable and true. | wk 16 |
| Health, wellbeing & lifestyle | A balanced digital life — screen time, habits and looking after yourself. | wk 21 |
| Copyright & ownership | Respecting others’ work, crediting sources and understanding ownership online. | wk 26 |
Week by week
Autumn 1
Refresh & organise
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Being a good digital citizen I can describe how to be responsible and respectful online and offline. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Online relationships (Y4) resources and slides (exported) |
Web browser | Online safety — Online relationships |
| 2 |
Confident across devices I can switch between an iPad and a laptop and find my work on OneDrive.I can switch between a tablet and a laptop and find my work on Google Drive.I can switch between an iPad and a laptop and find my work on iCloud Drive. Materials: An iPad and a laptop available per group; a file in OneDrive to find on eachA tablet and a laptop available per group; a file in Google Drive to find on eachAn iPad and a laptop available per group; a file in iCloud Drive to find on each |
OneDriveGoogle DriveiCloud Drive | Core ICT & file management |
| 3 |
Folder structures I can build a tidy folder structure for my subjects. Materials: Example subject folder structure on slides; loose files to file away |
OneDrive, File ExplorerGoogle Drive, Files appiCloud Drive, Files app | Core ICT & file management |
| 4 |
Managing files I can move, copy, rename and safely delete files. Also covers: Getting work back: the recycle bin, restoring a deleted file, and finding an earlier version of something overwritten. Materials: Sample files shared via Teams to move, copy, rename and deleteSample files shared via Google Classroom to move, copy, rename and deleteSample files shared via Schoolwork to move, copy, rename and delete |
OneDrive, File ExplorerGoogle Drive, Files appiCloud Drive, Files app | Core ICT & file management |
| 5 |
Recap task I can organise a set of files into the right folders. Materials: A mixed set of files for pupils to organise into folders |
OneDriveGoogle DriveiCloud Drive | Core ICT & file management |
Autumn 2
Word in depthGoogle Docs in depthPages in depth
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 |
Private and personal information I can explain how to protect personal information online. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Privacy & security (Y4) resources and slides (exported) |
Web browser | Online safety — Privacy & security |
| 7 |
Working with tables I can insert and fill in a table to present information. Materials: A data set (e.g. a timetable) to enter into a table; table template |
WordGoogle DocsPages | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 8 |
Headings and lists I can use headings and lists to structure a document. Materials: Unstructured text sample shared via Teams to add headings and listsUnstructured text sample shared via Google Classroom to add headings and listsUnstructured text sample shared via Schoolwork to add headings and lists |
WordGoogle DocsPages | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 9 |
Layout and images I can lay out a page and wrap text around an image. Also covers: Copying and pasting between documents and apps, the keyboard shortcuts for it, and searching for an image you are allowed to use. Materials: Copyright-free images; a sample page to lay out |
WordGoogle DocsPages | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 10 |
Mini-project: a report I can produce a clear, structured report. Materials: Report template with headings; topic notes and facts |
WordGoogle DocsPages | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| Extra |
Reading it back Optional I can have my work read aloud to me, and change the size, spacing and colours so it is easier for me to read. Materials: Headphones for the class; a short passage with a few errors in it to catch by ear; a piece of pupils’ own recent writing |
Immersive Reader, WordSelect-to-Speak, Google DocsSpeak Screen, Pages | Access & inclusion |
| Extra |
Writing by voice Optional I can dictate a sentence, then read it back and correct what the computer misheard. Materials: A quiet corner or headset microphones; a short prompt to dictate; the punctuation words on the board (“full stop”, “new line”, “question mark”) |
Dictate, WordVoice typing, Google DocsDictation, Pages | Access & inclusion |
Spring 1
Email & etiquette
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |
The power of words I can recognise cyberbullying and act as an upstander. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Online bullying (Y4) resources and slides (exported) |
Web browser | Online safety — Online bullying |
| 12 |
Outlook basicsGmail basicsMail basics I can organise my inbox and write a well-structured email. Materials: Pupil mailboxes active; a few emails pre-sent to organise |
OutlookGmailMail | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 13 |
Tone and audience I can change my tone depending on who I am emailing. Materials: Example emails written in different tones, on slides |
OutlookGmailMail | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 14 |
Attachments I can attach a file and open an attachment safely. Materials: A file in OneDrive to attach; an email with an attachment pre-sentA file in Google Drive to attach; an email with an attachment pre-sentA file in iCloud Drive to attach; an email with an attachment pre-sent |
Outlook, OneDriveGmail, Google DriveMail, iCloud Drive | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 15 |
Review I can send a clear email with an attachment. Materials: Task card: send a clear email with an attachment |
OutlookGmailMail | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
Spring 2
Collaboration begins
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
Is it true? reliable information I can begin to judge whether information online is reliable. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Managing online information (Y4) resources; example reliable vs unreliable pages |
Web browser | Online safety — Managing online information |
| 17 |
Sharing a document I can open a document that has been shared with me. Materials: A document pre-shared with each pupil to open |
Word, OneDriveGoogle Docs, Google DrivePages, iCloud Drive | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 18 |
Editing together I can edit a shared document and add a comment. Materials: One shared class/group document set up for co-editing |
Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 19 |
Collaboration etiquette I can work in a shared file without deleting others’ work. Materials: A shared document; agreed collaboration rules on slides |
Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 20 |
Paired task I can complete a small task with a partner in one document. Materials: A shared document per pair; a short collaborative task card |
Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
Summer 1
Data & presenting
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 |
A balanced digital life I can plan healthy habits for my time online. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Health, wellbeing & lifestyle (Y4) resources and slides (exported) |
Web browser | Online safety — Health, wellbeing & lifestyle |
| 22 |
PowerPoint with notesGoogle Slides with notesKeynote with notes I can use speaker notes to help me present. Materials: Complete PowerPoint (without speaker notes) shared via TeamsComplete Google Slides (without speaker notes) shared via Google ClassroomComplete Keynote (without speaker notes) shared via Schoolwork |
PowerPointGoogle SlidesKeynote | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 23 |
Collecting simple data I can enter data into a table or a form. Materials: A simple survey question; Forms or a shared Excel table set upA simple survey question; Google Forms or a shared Google Sheets table set upA simple survey question; Forms or a shared Numbers table set up |
Forms, ExcelGoogle Forms, Google SheetsForms, Numbers | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 24 |
Reading a chart I can read and explain a simple chart. Materials: Prepared chart(s) with data on slides or a shared Excel sheetPrepared chart(s) with data on slides or a shared Google Sheets filePrepared chart(s) with data on slides or a shared Numbers spreadsheet |
ExcelGoogle SheetsNumbers | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 25 |
Consolidation I can present some information I have collected. Materials: Collected data from an earlier week; a slide template to present it |
PowerPointGoogle SlidesKeynote | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
Summer 2
Collaborative project
| Wk | Focus and “I can…” objective | Tools / apps | Strand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 |
Whose is it anyway? I can explain plagiarism and say where my information came from. Materials: ProjectEVOLVE Copyright & ownership (Y4) resources and slides (exported) |
Web browser | Online safety — Copyright & ownership |
| 27 |
Project (1): plan I can plan a paired project. Materials: Paired project brief and planning sheet |
Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 28 |
Project (2): build I can co-author a document with my partner. Materials: A shared document per pair; copyright-free image folder |
Word for the webGoogle Docs (co-editing)Pages (co-editing) | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 29 |
Project (3): present I can present our shared work. Materials: Presentation template; success criteria |
PowerPointGoogle SlidesKeynote | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
| 30 |
Showcase and reflection I can reflect on how well we worked together. Materials: Reflection / collaboration review sheet; a way to display work |
Consolidation — no new app | Review & showcase |
| Extra |
Printing well Optional I can check my work in print preview, make it fit, and decide whether it needs printing at all. Materials: A document that deliberately spills a line onto a second page; print-to-PDF available if there is no printer |
Print, WordPrint, Google DocsPrint, Pages | Productivity & M365 collaborationProductivity & Workspace collaborationProductivity & iWork collaboration |
Skills folded into other lessons
These do not have a week of their own — they are taught in passing inside the lesson named beside them.
- Week 4, Managing files: Getting work back: the recycle bin, restoring a deleted file, and finding an earlier version of something overwritten.
- Week 9, Layout and images: Copying and pasting between documents and apps, the keyboard shortcuts for it, and searching for an image you are allowed to use.