1. SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
Kindergarten Programming
Nick Grippin

2. PURPOSE For the students: To introduce basic programming skills
To have a basic working knowledge of the Scratch program
To reinforce and supplement current math concepts as required by the Kindergarten SOL
To introduce math concepts necessary for successful Scratch programming

3. INTRODUCTION Lesson Plans Quizzes/Other forms of assessment Programs
Construction/De-construction
Heavy on math concepts

4. PAST STUDIES Gregory Gates (07-08)
Elementary Education in a Technology Age
Jessica Gorman, Crystal Noel, Paul Imm (08-09)
Benefits of a Computer Education
Learning to Design Computer Programs in an Elementary School Setting

5. THEORY
Kindergarten students are able to learn and apply basic problem-solving skills
The earlier you begin teaching programming, the better and more natural grasp they will have later
Early introduction of programming will encourage later studies in the future
Scratch can be used to teach topics other than programming.

6. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE Scratch Developed by MIT
Stresses visual application, such as puzzle piece code and immediate visual output
Designed specifically for young programmers, room for creativity

7. METHODS Hand-outs Quizzes “Cheat sheets” Hands-on demonstration
Questions
Rewards
Independent work

8. PROCEDURES Independent Work Pre-planned lessons
Heavily visual, assumption that students cannot read
Enticing: grab the attention of the students early
Construction/De-construction
Alternating between making a program and taking it apart
Math
Lessons based on information not taught at current level, but necessary for Scratch

9. PROBLEMS ATTENTION Planning Complicated Subject General Computer Use
Students will lose it quickly and often
Planning
Getting lesson plans simplified for the kindergarten level
Complicated Subject
Math concepts too difficult for students to understand
General Computer Use
Right Clicking, Typing, Opening and Saving, Error messages

10. RESULTS Students have basic working knowledge of:
Inserting/Creating new Sprites
Movements
Starting (“Green Flag”)
Turning
Math
X-Y Grid
Counting steps
Degrees
Random numbers
Geometry
Counting, Patterns

11. Conclusion Students learn topics better through Scratch Math SOL
Similar to hands-on activity
Kindergarten-level students do not have the ability to program
Problem-solving skills