Beginning Coding CodeaPillars and Beebots Why Coding Coding

Beginning Coding: Code-a-Pillars and Beebots

Why Coding? • Coding “is needed not because they will all go into it as a career—that isn’t realistic—but because it impacts every career in the 21 st-century world. ” …. . Gratitude Garden Preschool • 65 -85% of future jobs have not even been developed yet • Dept. of Commerce reports that “Ninety-six percent of working Americans use new communications technologies as part of their daily life. ” 9 November 2017; http: //www. gratitudegardenpreschool. com/the-importance-of-coding-in-kindergarten/

Code-a-Pillars

Code-a-Pillars • Code-a-pillar is a “caterpillar that encourages kids to experiment and play while developing coding, sequencing and critical thinking skills — all before they reach school age. ” • “When kids connect the segments to make the Code-a-Pillar move, that’s sequencing. When they figure out a sequence that creates a path to their target, that’s programming (and problem-solving, too). ” https: //www. techlicious. com/review/fisher-price-think-learn-code-a-pillar-review/

Exploration time 5 mins.

Code-a-Pillar: How to use it • Each code-a-pillar comes with 10 -12 command blocks including forward, turn left, turn right, play music, sounds and lights commands like sleepy, wacky, happy, and some specialized commands like repeat, turn 45°, and turn 180°. The command blocks will vary by kit. • Connect the command blocks to the head of the code-a-pillar and press the power button. Code-a-pillar will run the command sequence in order, repeating each command once (unless a repeat block is used).

Can you take the challenge? • Pg. 11 in Code-a-Pillar instruction book • 9 November 2017; https: //service. mattel. com/instructi on_sheets/DKT 39 -Eng. pdf

Code-a-Pillar and The Three Bears…

Code-a-Pillar in the Classroom • Name your Code-a-Pillar: Much like a classroom pet, students will enjoy naming your code-a-pillars for personalization. • Vocabulary-Each Code-a-Pillar includes some common vocabulary cards. Use these to introduce the vocabulary associated with your Code -a-Pillar and review these terms often during any Code-a-Pillar lesson. Lesson Ideas: • Create an Adventure for Code-a. Pillar: Lead students in writing a story about Code-a-Pillar and the places he visits, things he sees and things he does. Lesson, standards and handouts included in packet. • Sequencing with Code-a-Pillar: Allow students to practice putting commands in a sequence directed by teacher, themselves and other students. Lesson, standards, and handouts included in packet.

What are YOUR ideas? How could you use Code-a-Pillar in your classroom? • Use the time provided to create a lesson. • Have your lesson scanned or send digitally to pcabe@jcpsmail. org. • All ideas generated in this session will be shared on the district IT webpage: • http: //co. jcpsnc. org/it/code-a-pillars/

Code a Pillars Resources • http: //www. sparklebox. co. uk/ • www. homeschoolshare. com • http: //co. jcpsnc. org/it/code-a-pillar-teacher-lessons/

Bee. Bots

Bee. Bots… • “The Next Step”…

Exploration time 5 mins.

Bee. Bot in the Classroom/ Literacy!

Accompanying Resources • Floor Mats (3) • City • Pirate • Farm • Pocket • Clear • Each school chooses • Logistics…

Old Mac. Beebot Had A Farm! Using a farm Beebot map, have students navigate to different blocks on the farm and include those locations and animals in the traditional Old Macdonald had a farm song. “Old Macdonald Had a Farm” Karaoke version From You. Tube

Pirate Treasure Map Lesson • Use Beebot and a story sheet (similar to Code-a-Pillar adventure) to write a story about how Beebot can find the treasure. Use a paper X or masking tape to mark the treasure location. • Use Pirate Treasure map and have pairs of students pick a spot to bury their treasure. Then have that group give others directions to navigate to treasure.

Resources: • https: //barefootcas. org. uk/wpcontent/uploads/2014/09/Bee-Bots -1 -2 -3 -Activity-Barefoot. Computing 2. pdf • Bee. Bots to Teach Computing • Printable Lesson Plan Template • Digital Lesson Plan Template (Be sure to make a copy and leave the original blank. )

Let’s try a STEM challenge…

Let’s create a lesson… • Use the template to create a lesson. • Share or scan the lesson to pcabe@jcpsmail. org. • Link to standards: • Kindergarten • Current Math • 2018 -19 Math • First Grade • Current Math • 2018 -19 Math • Second Grade • Current Math • 2018 -19 Math • Language Arts • Current Standards • 2018 -19 Standards • Extended ELA 2018 -19