This week has been a b l a s t and it has only been 2 days! These classes have been phenomenal and have risen to the new challenges presented to them.
k-2: Algorithms and Coding
I decided to combine lessons 3 and 4 from code.org to cover more information. The f i r s t step involved talking about sequence and order and describing these as an algorithm. The students described their morning "algorithm" and how they got ready for school. We discussed the importance of correct order (you can't get on the bus and then get dressed for school). Then, they sorted different algorithm cards such as putting on shoes, brushing teeth and planting seeds.
Next, they started c o d i n g!! The students started on the computers this week and there were many procedures put in place and they did great! Many of these students have never used a computer before and struggled at the beginning, but quickly caught on. To make this experience as simple as possible, there were many things put in place to help. For example, the computers are programmed to automatically go to my classroom site.
From there the students have to click their school and grade and that link takes them directly to their class site on code.org. I found out very quickly that the shorter the instructions the better. There was a lot of "hands in the air and freeze, watch, now do". So far, all classes we able to get logged on and start puzzles! I can't wait to see what else they can accomplish with future lessons. Notes for next time, add a sticker to the point on the mouse where they "click". Many students had the mouse on their left side and were clicking the right button. We forget how "natural" it is to use a computer mouse.
I also learned the p o w e r of a brain break this week! K-knight students (ages 4-5) get
antsy and have very short attention spans. They want to learn, but need to be constantly moving and that is not always feasible in my classroom. For example, the k-knights classroom at Zinser does not even have desks! Then these students are expected to come to STEM and sit for 45 minutes where their feet can't even touch the ground?! HECK NO! They did great today with two brain breaks and were able to solve all the coding puzzles together. I plan to set them up on the computers next week when I am able to have everything set up and ready for them!
3-5: TOWER BUILDING
Grades 3-5 were given the challenge to build a tower with specific rules.
1. The tower had to be taller than a paper cup
2. Could only use materials given (only 20 gum drops)
3. Hold a book for 10 seconds.
These kiddos were so excited to get hands on and take on the challenge.
Before building, we talked about persistence and failure being an opportunity to learn. We are creating an anchor chart as a school documenting all the things we failed at, but later were able to accomplish. With 14 upper elementary classes, this list is going to be pretty inspirational *will share in a later blog*!
To manage groups, they all had a job. In each table basket, there are job cards: materials manager, chief architect, challenge captain and test coordinator. The students picked their jobs either by skill or rock, paper, scissors and took a great responsibility towards their given tasks. The materials manager is in charge of getting and replacing all materials (this is usually a student who needs to get up and move). The challenge captain is the boss. This person keeps the group on task and helps manage the group (let those bossy kids turn into leaders). The chief architect does the physical building and is
usually the most fought over job (rock, paper, scissors solves many arguments). Finally, the test coordinator gets to test the tower with the book and count to ten really loudly. If the students completed the challenge, they could switch jobs and try again.
Lastly, this lesson got messy and kids will do anything for candy! We played secret scrap at the end of each class and my classroom has never been this clean. I randomly pick 2 "secret scraps" and watch for the 2 students who pick them up. At the end, those 2 students receive a piece of candy.
CAN'T wait for next week with MORE C O D I N G!
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