Beginning to Scratch the Surface: Computer Programming for Elementary Students

Breaking the Code:Getting Elementary Students Started in ProgrammingNYSCATE Annual ConferenceNovember 22, 2015

Linda Brandon, Manager of Instructional TechnologyChris Ruggiero, Director of Curriculum, K 12 MathematicsLakeland Central School District

Introduce ourselves. Who we are

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England became the first country in the world to make computer programming compulsory at all levels. From the time they start school at age five to when they complete their first exams at 16, children are learning coding, from understanding simple algorithms to using programming languages to solve computational problems.

Linda:We thought wed give you some background about how we came about getting involved.

This past September England became the first country in the world to make computer programming compulsory at all levels. From the moment they start school at age five to when they complete their first public exams at 16, children will be learning coding, from understanding simple algorithms to using programming languages to solve computational problems.Why?2

What about the United States?

According to Code.org, only one in 4 U.S. schools teach children to code, despite forecasts that computer-related employment will rise by 22 per cent by 2020, with the strongest demand for software developers.

According to programming advocate Code.org only 1 in 4 U.S. schools teach children to code, despite forecasts that computer-related employment will rise by 22 per cent by 2020, with the strongest demand for software developers.3

Source: code.org

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Source: code.org

Screeching BRAKES!This is when we bring up the scripts and have them guess. Using goformative.com

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goformative.com

Quick Code: ERWN462Continue without logging in. Enter a name of your choice!

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Lets See What Happens!

Script #1Script #2Script #3

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Lakelands Story: 2013-14How the Coding Initiative Took ShapeLHRIC Tech Expo 2013, 2014: Two sessions Wrestling with the CCSS for MathematicsSpring 2014: One club at one elementary schoolReading up on coding in schoolsRunning parallel

Chris does this slideI may tag in

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Lakelands Story: 2014-15Not exactly aggressive out of the gateFall 2014: plan emergesWhere do we find the time?Where do we find the funding for stipends?Staff selectionTrainingHow did we select students?2015-16: Part of Enrichment Program AND continuation of clubs

Chris does this slide. Staff selection. Training on a Saturday9

Our Philosophy of Student SelectionPresentation to all fifth gradersLimited size of groupto begin withSelection by lotteryGender-based affirmative actionBe flexible; students on autism spectrum tend to excel at coding

Linda talks here. Emphasis on gender equality.

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CurriculumJoin Scratch (scratch.mit.edu)Do the tutorialsJoin the Education Group and download Curriculum Guide (http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/)Be prepared with a discrete project each week with many permutations for those students who need more challengeHave skills build upon each other week by weekProvide activities that are ELA based as well as math and science based

Projects described. Not just a club, it was planned and had discrete goals, applicable to

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These are givensStudents will discover on their ownTeacher does not need to have all of the answersStudents work well in teamsBe flexible!Allow students to showcase their work (within parameters) by setting up a Scratch Studio

As you can see..13

SuggestionsSet up accounts for students with generic log-ins (no personal information shared)Show students scripts and have them predict what will happenProvide debugging activitiesProvide vocabulary or word wallGet parents involved!

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Common CoreWhen children go home, what do you want them to do? FunPublic relationsStaff morale

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Student ProjectsGabbys Name ProjectAidens Maze GameMake a House for the Lion (check out comments!)ConversationBasketball Simulator 1.0

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Why Coding?Students are producers, not consumers of technologyTeach students to think logically and sequentiallyStudents begin to understand the technologies we use every dayEncourage interest in careers in technologyStart young when they are ready to learn these skills (like foreign language)Its a 21st century literacyIts fun!

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Contact us!Linda Brandon lbrandon@lakelandschools.orgChris Ruggiero cruggiero@lakelandschools.org

Join Lindas Scratch wiki: http://scratchcoding.wikispaces.com/Code to join (by November 28) 7X3Q9D4 Send Linda an email if you request membership

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