Tech Bytes
Carthage ISD Technology Department December 1, 2014
Coding Curriculum Available for Anyone
The Hour of Code is here and you can get your students started by letting them complete the introductory course in about an hour. Once your students have finished the first hour of code, teachers may print off a Certificate of Completion. Then if you want to provide more opportunities for your students, code.org has setup a 20-hour coding curriculum available in three courses.
Course 1 is designed to allow early readers to create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. By the end of this course, students create their very own custom game or story that they can share. Recommended for grades K-1.
Course 2 is designed for students who can read and have no prior programming experience. In this course students will create programs to solve problems and develop interactive games or stories they can share. Recommended for grades 2-5.
Course 3 is designed for students who have taken Course 2. Students will delve deeper into programming topics introduced in previous courses to flexible solutions to more complex problems. By the end of this course, students create interactive stories and games they can share with anyone. Recommended for grades 4-5.
Code.org also has a 20-hour course that introduces core computer science and programming concepts. The course is designed for use in classrooms for grades K-8, but it is fun to learn at all ages.
So get your students into something different and fun during Computer Science Education week, Dec. 8-12. Try the Hour of Code and have fun.
Coding Apps
Daisy the Dinosaur
Daisy the Dinosaur is an iPad app that teaches basic programming to young children. It has a Challenge Mode, in which the user is given 5 challenges that increase in difficulty, beginning with programming the dinosaur to walk forward. This app can be appropriate for students as young as Kindergarten. They may need some help with the reading, but will enjoy solving the problems.
Cargo-Bot
Hopscotch
Technology Department
Email: ajohnson@carthageisd.org
Website: www.carthageisd.org
Location: 424 Hubbard St., Carthage, TX
Phone: (903) 694-7550
Technology Staff
Annette Johnson, Technology Director
Martin Martinez, Technology Specialist
Mark Baisden, Technology Specialist
Richard Sullivan, Network Administrator
Terry Caudle, Systems Administrator
Debby Simpson, Administrative Assistant
Message from the Director
Hello CISD! I hope you are planning to participate in the Hour of Code. This newsletter has been my favorite one so far. And, yes, I completed the Hour of Code with success! I also introduced it to my daughters, ages 7 and 11. The older one loved it so much that she went right into the curriculum. She didn't want to stop. Then of course the younger one wanted to do it too.
That's what the Hour of Code organization is trying to accomplish through this initiative. Our students today are on their phones and tablets every day playing games, socializing, and communicating. Why not teach them to create an app. or software program for the future. Getting them interested now and showing them that it can be done just might be the spark that turns on the fire within them.
Please let me know if you need any help getting the Hour of Code unleashed in your classroom. I will be glad to help point you to resources or be hands-on in the classroom. Or let me know if you just want me to drop by and take pictures of your event. I would love to showcase your class in a future newsletter. Do not hesitate to contact me.
Have a great December!
Annette