A New Chapter at Ithembalihle Primary: How Technology Sparked a Love for Learning In the heart of Ithembalihle Primary School, something extraordinary has begun — a story of curiosity, connection, and change. When our team first arrived, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to help the school embrace a new way of learning through technology. […]
Wapiri’s Way, the popular and inspiring South African children’s novella, created especially for Cub Club subscribers, is now available on the Cub Club learning platform as an e-book and audiobook. Reading or listening to Wapiri’s Way will enhance the child’s Cub Club experience, as they get to know the little wolf cub, Wapiri, and learn
We are excited to share that we recently filmed a series of Physical Education tutorial videos specifically for Grade 4 Life Orientation, featuring our local Cub Club learners alongside our dedicated Coach. These sessions provided an engaging, hands-on experience where students actively participated by demonstrating exercises, stretches, and fun games. Their involvement helped shape lessons
Fusion – Mixing movements or styles from different dance traditions to create something new.
Motif – A short movement phrase that is repeated in a dance to give it identity.
Variation – Changing a movement (speed, level, direction, size, dynamics) to make it look different while keeping its core.
Theme – The main idea, story, or feeling that the dance is based on.
Innovation – Bringing in new, creative, and original ideas to make the dance fresh and unique.
Improvisation – unplanned movement.
Alignment – The correct positioning of the body (head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, feet) to move safely and effectively.
Stamina – The ability to keep dancing for a long time without getting tired; physical endurance.
Focus – Concentration and attention on the movement, space, or performance, often also where the eyes are directed.
Rehearsal – The practice of movements, steps, or a whole dance to prepare for performance.
Correction – Adjusting or improving movements after feedback to perform more accurately.
Culture – The way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, values, customs, art, food, language, and social practices.
Heritage – The history, traditions, and values passed down from previous generations, including monuments, artifacts, stories, and cultural practices.
Tradition – A custom, belief, or practice that is handed down from one generation to the next, often repeated in the same way over time.
Expression – The way people show their thoughts, feelings, and creativity through words, actions, art, music, dance, or other forms.
Identity – A person’s or group’s sense of who they are, shaped by culture, heritage, language, traditions, and personal experiences.
Heritage dance – a dance passed down through generations.
Indlamu – traditional Zulu war dance.
Pantsula – township street dance from the 1980s.
Fusion – mixing two or more dance styles.
Bug
A mistake or problem in the code that makes the game not work correctly.
🗣 “There was a bug that stopped the score from increasing.”
Debugging
The process of finding and fixing bugs in a game or program.
🗣 “I spent time debugging my game to fix the player movement.”
Test
To play or run the game carefully to check if everything works properly.
🗣 “I need to test my game to see if the level changes correctly.”
🔊 Sound Effect
A short noise or sound played in a game to show that something happened, like collecting an item or hitting an obstacle.
🗣 “The pop sound effect plays when the player catches a coin.”
💬 Message
Words that appear on the screen to tell the player information, like encouraging them or giving instructions.
🗣 “The game shows a ‘Well done!’ message when you finish a level.”
🎨 Visual Effect
A change in how something looks in the game, like a colour change or flashing, to show action or feedback.
🗣 “The player’s sprite changes colour as a visual effect when it gets hit.”
🎮 Level
A level is a stage or part of a game. As the player moves to higher levels, the game usually gets more difficult.
🗣 “I reached Level 3, and now the background changed and the enemies move faster!”
🎯 Condition
A condition is a rule the game checks to decide what to do next. It often uses if… then.
🗣 “If my score is greater than 10, then the game switches to the next level.”
📣 Broadcast
To broadcast means to send a message in the game that tells sprites or scripts to start doing something.
🗣 “I used broadcast ‘game over’ to show the end screen when the player lost all their lives.”
🧮 Variable
A variable is like a container that stores information in your game, such as the score, number of lives, or the level.
🗣 “I used a variable to keep track of how many coins the player collected.”
📣 Broadcast
To broadcast means to send a message from one sprite to another, or to the whole game, to make something happen.
🗣 “When the player wins, I broadcast a message to show the victory screen.”
❓ Condition
A condition is a rule that tells the game what to do if something happens. It often uses if… then… or if… then… else….
🗣 “If the player touches a spike, then they lose a life.”
A code made up of only two numbers: 1 and 0. Computers use this to understand information.
Short for “binary digit.” It is a single 1 or 0 in the binary code.
A tiny part inside a computer that can be turned ON (1) or OFF (0) to help the computer work.
What it means: Finding and fixing mistakes in your code.
🧠 “When my game didn’t work, I did some debugging to fix it!”
What it means: A problem or error in your code that causes it to behave strangely or not work.
🧠 “My robot spun in circles — I think there’s a bug!”
What it means: The step-by-step thinking or rules your code follows to work properly.
🧠 “If your logic is wrong, your code might not do what you expect.”
What it means: A model or pretend version of something real that helps us test and learn.
🧠 “A fire drill is a simulation — it’s not a real fire, but it helps us practise what to do.”
What it means: A small or simple version of a real thing that shows how it works.
🧠 “We made a model of the solar system to see how the planets move.”
What it means: To guess what might happen in the future, based on clues or tests.
🧠 “We can use a simulation to predict how a robot will move in a maze.”
What it means: A set of clear, step-by-step instructions to solve a problem or do a task.
🧠 “An algorithm is like a recipe — it tells the computer what to do and in what order.
What it means: A command that repeats actions again and again.
🧠 “A loop helps you do something many times without writing it over and over.”
What it means: A rule that tells the computer, “If this happens, then do that.”
🧠 “IF it’s raining, THEN take an umbrella.” Computers use this to make decisions too!
🔐 A secret word or code that lets you open an account or device.
Example: You need a password to log in to your email.
🙊 Personal details about you that should not be shared online, like your real name, address, or phone number.
Example: Never post your private information on a game chat.
🔗 A word or button you can click on that takes you to another website or page.
Example: Only click links from people or websites you trust.
👣 A mark you leave behind when you walk — or post online.
Digital footprint means the trail of messages, comments, or photos you leave on the internet.
Example: My kind comment on the school blog is part of my digital footprint.
😏 When someone says something they don’t really mean, often to tease or mock.
It can confuse or hurt people, especially online where tone can’t be heard.
Example: She said, “Nice job!” sarcastically when I made a mistake.
🌟 What people think or say about you based on your actions and words.
Online actions can affect your reputation in real life.
Example: If you’re kind online, you build a good reputation.
📝 The short title of your email that tells the reader what it’s about.
Example: Subject: Request for extra maths worksheet
📎 A file (like a photo or document) that you send along with an email.
Example: I sent my project as an attachment.
🙂 Speaking or writing in a kind and respectful way.
Example: It’s polite to say “please” and “thank you” in your email.
A code made up of only two numbers: 1 and 0. Computers use this to understand information.
Short for “binary digit.” It is a single 1 or 0 in the binary code.
A tiny part inside a computer that can be turned ON (1) or OFF (0) to help the computer work.
A rule that tells the computer what to do only if something happens.
✅ Example: If it’s raining, then take an umbrella.
A command that tells the computer:
“If something is true, then do this action.”
✅ Example: If button is clicked, then play a sound.
A way of thinking that helps computers make decisions. Logic helps the computer follow clear rules, step by step.
✅ Example: Computers use logic to decide what to do next.
Set of instructions that repeat again and again.
🟡 Example: A loop might tell a robot to clap 3 times without writing “clap” three times.
A command or direction given to a computer or robot.
🟡 Example: “Move forward” is an instruction.
To do something over and over again.
🟡 Example: In coding, we use “repeat” to save time when we want the same action done many times.
A set of steps that happen in the right order.
🟢 Example: In coding, a sequence might be: “Stand up → Turn right → Take 3 steps”.
A command that tells you to repeat something.
🟢 Example: If you clap 3 times, that’s a loop — “Clap” is repeated 3 times.
A rule that starts with “if” and ends with “then.”
🟢 Example: “If it’s sunny, then go outside.” In coding: “If button is clicked, then play sound”.
Looking directly at the people you are speaking to.
Feeling sure about yourself and what you’re doing.
Easy to understand, not confusing.
Sound that you can hear, such as music, voice, or sound effects.
🟢 Example: “I added audio of ocean waves to my beach slideshow.”
A voice that tells or explains something in a video or presentation.
🟢 Example: “I recorded my narration to talk about the life cycle of a frog.”
Something that is connected to the topic and makes sense in the presentation.
🟢 Example: “The drum sound was not relevant to my slideshow about the solar system.”
A single page or screen in a digital presentation.
🟢 Example: “Each slide in my slideshow talks about a different wild animal.”
A special effect that moves one slide to the next.
🟢 Example: “I used a fade transition to make my slideshow look smooth.”
Something you can see, like a picture, diagram, or chart.
🟢 Example: “I added a visual of the water cycle to help explain my topic.”
Multimedia – “Multi” means many. “Media” means types of information. So, many kinds of information working together!
1. Input
What it means: The information or action that goes into a system.
Example: Pressing a button, clicking a mouse, or using a sensor.
🧠 “Input is how we tell the computer what we want it to do.”
2. Processing
What it means: The thinking or decision-making part of the system — it follows the rules or code.
Example: The computer checks if you pressed the jump key and then decides what to do.
🧠 “Processing is the brain of the system — it follows the code to figure out what happens next.”
3. Output
What it means: The result or action that comes out of the system.
Example: A sound plays, a robot moves, or a message appears.
🧠 “Output is what we see or hear after the system does its job.”
Loop- a set of instructions that repeats more than once.
Repeat- do something again and again. Loops use “repeat” to tell how many times or when to stop.
Iteration- One iteration is one time through the loop.
Example: If a loop says “Repeat 4 times,” then it has 4 iterations.
Condition- tells the loop when to stop (used in “Repeat until” loops).
Folder- A digital container used to hold related files, like a digital drawer.
File- A piece of work saved on a computer (like a document, image, or video).
Organise-To arrange things neatly and in order.
Storage-The space where files and folders are kept on a computer or device.
Name (a folder)- To give a folder a clear title so you know what’s inside.
File- A saved piece of digital work
Folder- A digital container that holds files
Subfolder- A folder inside another folder
File Name- The label you give your file
File Path- The step-by-step address of where a file is
Folder – A digital container used to keep related files together, like a virtual drawer.
File Name – The title you give to a document, picture, or other work saved on a computer so you can find it easily.
Organise – To arrange things in a neat, logical way so they are easy to find and use.
Pattern – A repeated design, action, or sequence that helps solve problems more efficiently.
Loop – A coding structure that repeats a set of instructions based on a condition or number of times.
Efficiency – Doing something in the best way possible, with the least waste of time or effort.
Repetition – Doing the same thing again and again, often used to spot patterns or simplify code.
Automation – When a process runs by itself after being set up, often using loops and patterns in coding.
Never share your personal information—like your full name, address, phone number, or school—on the internet, especially with people you don’t know.
Netiquette-The polite and respectful way to behave online.
Digital Footprint-The trail of everything you do online — posts, likes, messages.
Cyberbullying-Being mean to someone online, like in messages or comments.
Keyword-Search word to help find online info
Phishing-A trick message that tries to steal your info
Clickbait-A fake-looking headline to get clicks
Netiquette-Good manners online
Digital footprint-The trail of actions you leave online
Cyberbullying-Hurting others using messages, posts or images
Ethics-Knowing and doing what is right or fair
🧍 A sprite is a character or object in your Scratch project.
It can move, talk, change costumes, and respond to clicks or key presses.
🧩 A block is a puzzle piece of code.
You snap blocks together to tell your sprite what to do (like move, speak, or play a sound).
📣 Broadcast means sending a message in your code.
One sprite can “broadcast” a signal so that other sprites know when to start something.
Digital Identity – Who you seem to be based on your online activity
Reflect – Think deeply about your behaviour
Intentional – Doing something on purpose, with care
Block – Stop someone from contacting you
Report – Tell an app or website that something’s wrong
Trusted Adult – A grown-up who will help you and keep you safe
Cyber Respect – Kindness and care when using the internet
Reputation – What people think of you based on your actions
Tone – The feeling behind your words
Private Information – Details about your life that should stay secret
Public Information – Things okay for everyone to see
Oversharing – Giving out too much information
Digital Footprint – A record of everything you do online
Permanent – Lasting and hard to remove
Online Identity – The version of you people see through the internet
Scene – A short part of a story, like in a play or video, created with actions and speech
Script – The plan or code you write to tell your sprite what to do
Loop – A piece of code that runs the same steps again and again
Repeat – A Scratch block that makes your sprite do something more than once
Costume – A different look or outfit for a sprite. It can show movement, mood, or action.
Sound Block – A command that tells the sprite to play a sound (like a pop, clap, or voice).
Sequence – A set of steps that happen in order, one after the other.
Wait – A block that tells your sprite to pause before doing the next step.
Sprite – A character or object you can control in Scratch. It follows your code.
Block – A coding piece that tells your sprite what to do, like move or speak.
Pattern – Something that repeats in a predictable way.
Loop – A coding shortcut that repeats a pattern of steps without writing them over and over.
Symbol – A picture or shape that shows a meaning (like an arrow = move)
Grid – A pattern of squares where you can move up, down, left or right
Sequence – A set of steps that must be done in the right order.
Symbol – A picture or shape that stands for something (like arrows for directions).
Algorithm – A list of instructions that helps you or a computer complete a task.
Instruction – A direction or step that tells someone what to do.
Pledge – A promise you make to yourself or others.
Author – A person who creates a story. You are the author of your digital footprint!
Permanent – Something that stays for a long time or can’t be undone easily.
Screenshot – A picture taken of what’s on a screen. Even deleted things can be saved this way.
Private – Something personal or sensitive that should only be shared with people you trust.
Footprint – A mark you leave behind. A digital footprint is the trail you leave online.
Digital Footprint – A record of everything you do on the internet. It’s like online footprints that follow you around.
Private – Something only meant for you or someone you choose to share it with. Not public.
Sprite-A character you control in Scratch
Sequence-The order blocks are placed in
Event-Something that starts the code (like a click)
Loop-A block that repeats an action
Debug-Finding and fixing a coding mistake
Rename – Give a file a better, clearer name
Save As – Save a new version with a different name
Search – A tool to help find files on a device
Scratch — A drag and drop programming language made by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT
Scratch Cat — Scratch’s mascot and default sprite.
Sprite — An object in Scratch which performs functions controlled by scripts
Blocks: Programming commands that you snap together to create a program in Scratch.
Algorithm: detailed step-by-step instruction set or formula for solving a problem or completing a task.
Sequence- A particular order in which things follow each other.
Coding- Computer language.
Sequencing is the specific order in which instructions are performed in an algorithm.
An important skill that programmers need is to be able to communicate with others, especially when they are working out what the program should do. They also need to be persistent when finding and fixing bugs. Bugs happen all the time in programming, so being able to identify where the bug occurs and problem solving how to fix it is incredibly important.
Safety: Actions to prevent damage or harm.
Care: Gentle and responsible use.
Shut down: Properly turning off a computer.
Hardware: The physical parts of a computer.
Software: Instructions or code that run on a computer.
CPU: The brain of the computer.
Did you know?
The first computers weren’t very fancy. One of the earliest examples was the abacus, invented in Babylon around 500 B.C. It was made of string and beads, and its main purpose was to count and keep track of money or goods.
Later, in the 1600s, two inventors created early calculators that used gears and wheels to perform simple mathematical tasks — an important step toward the computers we use today.
Processing: The computer’s thinking.
Storage: The computer’s memory.
Communication: Sending and receiving data between computers.
Let’s build a tiny game where:
🧠 Summary
Did you know
In Scratch, a “backdrop” refers to the background image displayed on the stage, essentially the scene or setting where your sprites (characters) interact; it’s like the scenery behind the actors in a play, and you can change it to set the mood or context of your project.
Did you know
The first version of Scratch was released in 2003? That means it’s over 20 years old!
Motion – Blocks that move your sprite
Looks – Blocks that change colours or size
Sound – Blocks that play music or effects
Extension – Extra features like music, pen, or video
Sprite – A character or object that follows your code
Stage – Where your project appears and plays
Block – A puzzle piece instruction
Script – A group of blocks joined together
Backdrop – The background on the Stage
Algorithm – A set of step-by-step instructions.
Sequence – The order in which instructions are followed.
ASCII – A code that turns letters into binary
Bit – One 0 or 1 in binary
Byte – A group of 8 bits (like in our bracelet)
Bot – A robot that follows instructions
Run – To follow the instructions in a program
Debug – To fix your program if something goes wrong
Communication: Sharing information between computers.
Network: Two or more computers linked together.
Wi-Fi: Wireless connection used to communicate.
CPU: The part of the computer that processes and thinks.
RAM: Short-term memory used while the computer is working.
Storage: Where files and information are saved.
Output Device: A tool that gives information back from the computer.
Monitor: A screen that displays information.
Printer: A machine that produces paper copies of work from the computer.
Input Device: Any tool that gives information to a computer.
Scanner: A device that copies paper documents into the computer.
Touchscreen: A screen you can control by touching it directly.
CPU: The main chip that makes decisions.
Input: Giving information to the computer.
Output: Getting results from the computer.
Storage: Saving files and data.
Communication: Sharing data between computers.
Device: A tool or machine made for a particular purpose.
Input: Information put into the computer.
Output: The result given by the computer.
Storage: A place where information is saved.
Software: Instructions that tell a computer what to do.
Input Device: Sends information to the computer.
Output Device: Receives information from the computer.
Cursor: The pointer moved by the mouse.
Remember
The opposite (inverse) of division is multiplication.
Example: 6 × 5 = 30 so we know that 30 ÷ 5 = 6.
When we estimate, we make a good guess based on what we know.
To estimate an answer, we round numbers off to make them easier to work with. For example, 598 ÷ 3 is not easy to calculate. If we round up 598 to 600, the calculation is much easier.
We know that 6 ÷ 3 = 2. So 600 ÷ 3 = 200.
We know that the answer to 598 ÷ 3 will be close to 20
Uthi bewazi? (Did you know?)
‘Isitolo sokudlela’ means ‘restaurant’ in English. If the initial vowel changes to ‘e’, for example: ‘esitolo sokudlela’, the meaning changes completely. The meaning is now ‘in the restaurant’. (‘Isitolo sokudlela’ kusho ‘indawo yokudlela’ ngesiNgisi. Uma unkamisa wokuqala eshintsha abe ‘e’, isibonelo: ‘esitolo sokudlela’, incazelo ishintsha ngokuphelele. Incazelo manje ithi ‘esitolo sokudlela’.)
Uthi bewazi? (Did you know?)
Amagama abolekiwe afana nelithi ‘iposi’ (iposi) kanye nelithi ‘siyini’ (indawo yokudlela) athathwe kwezinye izilimi njengesiBhunu nesiNgisi. (Borrowed words such as ‘iposi’ (post office) and ‘siyini’ (restaurant) are borrowed from other languages such as Afrikaans and English.)
frequency: the number of times an event occurs
tally: a mark used to keep count of the number of times something happens
Ubuwazi? (Did you know?)
‘Itafula’ is an isiZulu word borrowed from an Afrikaans word ‘tafel’.
Khumbula!(Remember!)
Any noun that starts with ‘i’ their subject concord is zi ie. Uweta iyashesha.
namhlanje: today
kusasa: tomorrow
ngempela sonto: during the weekend
olwandle: at/to the beach
kulungile: it is fine
cabanga (think)
cela (request)
ncoma (praise)
cosha (pick up)
Het jy geweet?
Seekoeie lyk baie groot en lomp. Hulle is gevaarliker as die groot vyf! Die groot vyf diere is die olifant, die leeu, die renoster, die buffel en die luiperd. Seekoeie kan vinnig hardloop met daardie lompe lyf en hulle tande kan ʼn mens lelik seermaak.
ʼn Seekoeibul is die manlike dier en seekoeikoei is die vroulike dier. Die dier staan bekend as ʼn seekoei en daarom kry dit ʼn -bul vir manlike en -koei vir vroulik by.
Did you know?
When you talk to your friends, always look them in the eye.
When you do a presentation, make eye contact with the audience to show them that you know that they are there.
Use your voice: speak up and pronounce the words clearly.
Take a deep breath before you start, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
Then take another breath and start, while smiling at your audience.
Do not fiddle, stand up tall but be relaxed.
Speak at an easy pace:
not too fast and not too slow.
iqhawe- umuntu onesibindi
ukuba nesibindi- ukungesabi
ungumpheme- ungumvikeli
isiphethu- yilapho kuphuma khona amanzi emhlabathini
ukugobhoza- ukugeleza
inhliziyo emnene- inhliziyo enozwelo
