We've had the immense privilege the past couple weeks to start diving in to Computer Science in our STEM time.
Younger students have been focusing on sequencing, algorithms, and short programs by utilizing the websites code.org and kodable.com. Both these sites have great tools for pre-readers and emerging readers. It's been amazing seeing the way that kids help each other, support each other, and have a growth mindset! Here's a great short video featuring a couple 1st graders in action!
— Rachel J. Pierson (@RPiersonEdu) November 22, 2016
The middle and upper elementary students used Lightbot and Code Combat to get a taste of coding, and now we're jumping in to the CS First lesson, Gumball's Coding Adventure, which uses a tool called Scratch. (Scratch is made by the great people at MIT.) When we're done with the step by step introduction to Scratch from the lesson, students will be given the opportunity to create their own programs! I'm looking forward to seeing all the creative things that will come out of it!
Computer Science in Education Week is coming up from December 5-11. I want to make sure that all the students here at JWP get a taste of what it's like so that they may be able to take up the opportunity to learn more if it interests them. Here's some Minnesota statistics from code.org:
Thanks for being a supporter of learning for your children! Ask them about the projects we're working on, and let them wow you!
Excellence without excuse!
Until next time!
Edit: Sorry for forgetting to tweet the link yesterday!
