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 21st-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/DKT39-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/

BeeBots

BeeBots… “The Next Step”…

Exploration time 5 mins.

BeeBot in the Classroom/ Literacy!

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

Old MacBeebot 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 YouTube

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/wp- content/uploads/2014/09/Bee- Bots-1-2-3-Activity-Barefoot- Computing2.pdf BeeBots 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 Second Grade Language Arts Current Standards 2018-19 Standards Extended ELA 2018-19