skaterspoon

Small Basic is the way to go. It's a simplified version of Microsoft's programming language Visual Basic, suitable for kids and beginners. It can be downloaded from here: Microsoft Small Basic as an exe or an msi for free. It requires .NET Framework 3 to be installed before it will run but apart from that it installs very quickly and runs like a dream. We have used it extensively with Y6 pupils as a way of introducing them to programming, and while it is more challenging than software with a drag and drop interface such as Scratch the pupils enjoy using it

I am thinking of trying these guys:GreenIBIS Recycling as they are based in Worthing which is only up the road from us. I have around 100 toner cartridges from HP Laserjet printers, collected over the last couple of years, couldn't bear to just throw them out. The only problem is that they say the cartridges must be put into boxes for collection with around 20 in each! Some of these cartridges are huge so we don't have boxes big enough to fit 10 in , let alone 20! They don't charge anything to pick them up though and they seem happy enough if the cartridges are refurbed ones, not genuine HP. Will re-post when we've had them collected.

Yep, the batteries are pretty big. Are they used much or have they been sat in the cupboard for several years like ours had? I don't suppose you'd like to donate them to a worthy cause? thanks

Great news. Would love to buy it from you but have just been told by the bursar that no purchases are being made at all at the moment. I probably should have checked this before making an offer! I don't suppose you'd like to donate it to a worthy cause? thanks again.

Thanks Witch, Would love to buy them from you but have just been told by the bursar that no purchases are being made at all at the moment. I don't suppose you'd like to donate them to a worthy cause?: Thanks again

Hmmm, I'm not too good with haggling. How does £30 sound? Obviously I'd need to check it with my bursar first too. To test you'd need to get hold of some 'lantern 6V' batteries. Not too pricy, we got ours from Handson: 6V Lantern - Active Learning - Art and Design they're £2.99 each and each Roamer takes 2:

Yep, that's the one. If possible could you ask the powers that be if we could purchase it from you? Thanks.

Would you be willing to sell them or are they still used a fair bit? Thanks.

Hi, I wondered if anyone has seen any of the 'Classic' Floor Roamers recently in the school they're working in. They are/were made a company called Valiant and look something like this: We have a few of these and have found them to be really useful for introducing basic programming with Y3s. They are different from the Roamer Too which we looks something like this: We would really like to get hold of some more and wondered how many (if any) had been lying around at the back of cupboards in ICT suites up and down the country. We would be willing to pay for them if you happen to come across any. Thanks, Skaterspoon.

I cycle every day. One of the schools is 10 minutes away, the other is 20. It's a bit of a pain but I like the exercise.