The Families of Area A and P7A

First and second graders in Area A and P7A thought about things that make their families special and typed those words using Microsoft Word. They used the "return" key to type on a new line and saved their work. Second graders also learned to copy and paste their work between applications using both the menu and the keyboard shortcuts. They pasted their words into the Word Cloud maker from ABCya.com. Here are some of their Word Clouds.

A1

 

 

Area B Book Talks

Second graders in Area B recorded book talks using the iPad app ChatterPix Kid - By Duck Duck Moose. No, really. Their books are talking! Listen to their videos to hear about their current books.

B1

  

Busy as a Bee-Bot

Students in kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade have been programming Bee-Bot robots these last few weeks. Students work on sequencing by putting the steps of an algorithm in order to then program the Bee-Bot.

Next students programmed the Bee-Bot to move to a certain location on a double-sided "Challenge Mat."

Here are some of the ways students used the mats.

1) Partners pick a number on the mat, then try to find more than one path to get the Bee-Bot from "start" to the target number. The great thing about this challenge is that there are several right answers. Students have to think about multiple paths around the mat and are not satisfied with only the simplest or most obvious option. Students are asked: Can you program another way to get to the same number? Can you create an algorithm that doesn't go through 0?

2) Students receive cards aligned to grade-level Common Core math standards. As partners they solve the problem or answer the question and then program the Bee-Bot to go to the number on the mat showing the answer. For example, Area A and P7A solved problems of addition and subtraction within 10.

3) Area B took the last challenge a step further. The whole class received the same problem of addition or subtraction within 20, and the teams raced to solve the math problem, plan out the algorithm, and program the Bee-Bot to move to the correct answer. Speed, accuracy, critical thinking, and teamwork all played a role in a team's success.

This was just one type of Challenge Mat. In future units students will program Bee-Bots on a variety of mats to explore other grade-level math and literacy concepts.

"Unplugged" Algorithms

Students learn computer science vocabulary through many ways including body movements, chants, and hands-on (or "unplugged") activities. For example, all students in kindergarten through second grade can tell you with gusto what an algorithm is: a list of steps.

First and second grade students participated in unplugged activities to build the foundation for understanding what an algorithm is. Students sorted visual directions, determined which steps were needed, and put them in order. Area A and P7A determined the correct sequence to plant a seed. Area B sequenced and then followed their algorithm to make a paper airplane. This activity showed students that algorithms can be found in many real life scenarios. It also reinforced that steps need to be in the right sequence to reach an intended outcome.

 

 

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Mouse Skills

Kindergartners and 1st graders display another fun way to show off their progress at controlling the mouse. They had to move the mouse with precision across the screen, hold the mouse still while clicking, and click and drag.

Kindergarten

"Wordle" you thankful for, Area B?

Second graders in Area B typed 10 or more words they were thankful for using Microsoft Word. They used the "return" key to type on a new line, saved their work, and learned to copy and paste their work between applications using both the menu and the keyboard shortcuts. They pasted their words into the Word Cloud maker from ABCya.com. Here are some of their Word Clouds.

B1

    

Happy Computer Science Education Week!

Try these Hour of Code activities to write your own lines of code and create a nifty project.

Kindergarten-1st Grade

Click Kodable then click "Students Start Here" to begin. Place arrows in the correct order to help the fuzz balls move through the maze.

2nd-3rd grade

Click Puppy Adventure then click "Play Now" to begin. Program the puppy to avoid obstacles and return home by placing commands in order and using loops.

4th-5th Grade

Click Spin Draw then click the button "Play Now" to begin. In this activity you will use code to create a stamping art project.