Update on Programming

Note: This year I am blogging weekly reflections at my school site (weskids.com) in order to provide more transparency in my teaching for parents, students, and the community (local and global). I will be cross-posting most of the entries here at Bit By Bit as well. You can see the original posts at the “Reflections by Mr. S” blog.

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There’s nothing more exciting for a teacher to hear than a student calling out, “I got it!” I hear it daily in 3rd, 4th and Multi 3/4 classes as students solve the “puzzles” at Code.org. The programming centers in the Computer Lab are moving along at a fast and furious pace and students are having a blast.

Students are asked to find different partners every two levels they complete at Code.org, and share the roles of “Driver” and “Navigator.” The “Driver” is the student who is controlling the computer and the “Navigator” is the partner who is helping to solve the problem (with questions or hints for the “Driver”). The “Navigator” isn’t allowed to touch the computer and can only talk and point to show his/her suggestions. After the partners have done two levels together, they need to find different partners to work with. This is to mirror what will probably happen in many of the students’ future careers: they will be working with many different people, and need to build collaborative skills with different people now, rather than just choose the comfort of working with a close friend.

Many students are clearly continuing their programming at home. If your student hasn’t shown you Code.org, encourage him/her to at least sign in and show what level their on. Hopefully, your student will at least be inspired to repeat a level they’ve already completed and show you how the site works.

Why is learning to code important?

Check out the following video and infographic below:

infographic

Things to do at home with your student:

  • Watch the video and discuss the infographic (above) with your scholar to start a discussion about coding.
  • Ask your student to show you Code.org!
  • Ask your student why we’re learning coding at Wells Elementary School? How will this help students?
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