Oct 11: CTTF Coaching (Group A)

Oct 18: CTTF Coaching (Group B)

Oct 25: CTTF Coaching (Group C)

Mark This Down!

Last Week (Sept. 30 - Oct. 4)

Kindergarten

Week 4: Epic Build Launch - SWBAT create a new Scratch project called my Name and spell their first name using letter sprites.

Sample Projects: Loops
Support Video: Loops | Sprites

First Grade

Week 5: Epic Build Part 2 - SWBAT program sprites to show facts when clicked

Support Video: Clicked Events | Center Person on Sprite

Second Grade

Week 5: Epic Build Part 2 - SWBAT to use logic statements to program an action

Sample Project: Maze Game
Support Video: Electric Walls | Finish Line

Third Grade

Week 5: Epic Build Part 2 - SWBAT program separate keyboard controls for each sprite

Sample Project: Pole Position
Support Video: Starting Position | Keyboard Controls

Fourth Grade

Week 5: Epic Build Part 2 - SWBAT program a sprite to react to a projectile sprite

Sample Project: Projectile Game 1 | Projectile Game 2
Support Video: Gliding Movement

Fifth Grade

Week 5: Epic Build Part 2 - SWBAT program keyboard controls and apply event handing to backdrop switches

Support Video: Game | Switch Backdrop

This Week (Oct. 7 - 11)

Kindergarten

Week 5: Epic Build Part 1 - SWBAT create a new Scratch project called my Name and spell their first name using letter sprites.

Sample Projects:

Support Video: Sprites

First Grade

Week 6: Facts Sharing Sprite & Debugging - SWBAT program sprites to show facts when clicked & debug and improve a project.

Sample Project: Extension Project

Support Video: Extension Video

Second Grade

Week 6: Debugging - SWBAT to debug their project.

Sample Project: Maze Game Extensions

Support Video: Maze Game Extensions

Third Grade

Week 6: Lag Effect & Debugging - SWBAT use logic statements to slow a sprite and debug a partner

Sample Project: Prize Booth Epic Build

Support Video: Lag Effect

Fourth Grade

Week 6: Winning the Game - SWBAT learn how to use variables to make a counter

Sample Project:

Support Video: Scoreboard

Fifth Grade

Week 6: Variables & Device Control - SWBAT program variables that respond to user input.

Support Video: Variables in Game 1 | Variables in Game 2

What's Next

Preview these videos or projects samples to see what your students will be learning in the lab. Please note: all students in all grades are finishing up their Beginner Unit Scratch Projects. No new coding instruction will be taking place.

Kindergarten

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

First Grade

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

Second Grade

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

Third Grade

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

Fourth Grade

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

Fifth Grade

Sample Project: N/A
Support Video: N/A

Last Week (Sept. 30 - Oct. 4)

Coaching with Campbell

Thanks to Group C for working with our coach on Friday.
I hope watching Mrs. Campbell model lessons has been helpful.
Don't forget to email her if you have and questions or want her input on an idea.

Teaching Week 3 of Classroom Computer Science Integration

One big thing that I have learned from my participation is that having a 2nd person in the room is very helpful as we get started. Please try to book me so I can help with management issues.
Please check that students are talking the time to name backdrops, sprites, and programs as you go. Things will start to get more complex in the coming weeks, and if students aren't careful they will start to get confused.
Also, make sure students know they are adding to their Epic Build projects each week. They should not be making changes unless you have told them to do so.

Extra Support Materials

I made Code Cards for every grade and lesson in Cycle 1. Access your Code Cards Here. They are designed to summarize each weeks new commands, and should be shared with students. They should keep their cards in a folder of some sort. This will help them in the long run to better recall our coding instruction

This Week (Sept. 15-20)

Classroom Integration Moves into Week 4

Make sure to begin teaching the 4th week of your grade level Computer Science Integration plan. Every teach should begin including 60 minutes of integrated instruction this week.
The next few weeks will be critical. The students will be learning lots as they build their projects. If you are feeling stuck, be sure to watch the videos that align with the beginner unit. I have them listed each week in this blog.
Look for your grade level's planning below if you have questions

Getting Ready for Coaching

Our school's CTTF coach, Jacqueline Campbell, will be coming to Group C this Friday, Oct. 11. She is planning to assist with classroom integration lessons for teachers this Friday.
Here are some steps to take to make the most of your visit:

Make sure students have their Chromebooks out and are logged in to Scratch before the start of your coaching time slot.
Have "The Loop" open on the teacher desktop.

Mrs. Campbell would like teachers to know that she is willing to help out! She invites teachers to contact her by email with questions and ideas. She can help teachers plan out integration ideas as well. Her email is jacqueline.campbell@codetothefuture.com
Remember: The purpose of the Code To The Future Coach at the beginning is to model the lessons for you, so Mrs. Campbell is willing to teach some of the lesson for teachers this week. Please be sure to have an active role during this time by working alongside your students.
She has also offered to stay late on Fridays if teacher would like additional help. Let me know if you would like to take advantage of this offer.

Review the Loop

Take some time to look over the Lesson 5 in the Loop before the end of the week. Go ahead and get an early start on the next lesson.

CTTF Coaching Group A will meet

If you are in coaching group A, plan to have your students review week 3 or 4 of the integration module. See above for topics that apply to your grade.
Remember: The purpose of the Code To The Future Coach at the beginning is to model the lessons for you, so Mrs. Campbell will be introducing the lessons for teachers this week.

Coming Up

Week 5 Begins on Oct. 14

Click here to book me if you need any support this week!

Related Arts: Please use any of the above to help bring computer science into your classes as you are able.

Use the article below to help you lead discussions about the emerging technology

wired.com

The Tech Helping Dogs Learn to 'Talk' With Humans

Imagine you’re enjoying a pleasant stroll through the park when you hear someone say, “My owner needs your attention! Please follow me!” You look around and see no one; then you look down and see a dog staring up at you. You think someone’s pulling a fast one. But then the dog reaches around and his mouth tugs something on the yellow vest he’s wearing, and you hear it again.

“My owner needs your attention! Please follow me!” the dog seems to say again, looking at you plaintively and now beckoning with body language for you to follow him. You do, and he leads you to someone who’s having a severe allergic reaction, a seizure, or some other medical emergency.

Click here to read more...

Computer Science Writing Contest

MIT is holding a writing contest for all students under 18. Entries are due by October 14. Winners will get published and could win $500.
Essays must be no more the 1,000 words and must address the question: What do adults not know about my generation and technology?
Click Here To Read More

IT-OLOGY INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The Innovation Challenge is a state-wide challenge for 4K-12th grade teachers and 3rd-12th grade students. Your mission is to create a project that uses technology to solve a problem in school, the community or South Carolina.

Our online application is open from October through February and is free to enter. The awards event is held every March for project finalists.