Code Much?

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at my kitchen counter pondering what I should do with a couple grades in the computer lab! I found myself on Twitter and Pinterest searching for a lesson idea when I found an article about Hour of Code!! December 9-15 was the international hour of code.  (I'm all about supporting curriculum in the computer lab but sometimes you just have to do something fun.) Thankfully, there is freedom in the lab to go in multiple directions. I decided I was going to have Kindergarten-5th grade code.  Kindergarteners coding?  Yes, I AM crazy!!!

Monday I got to school and put a sign on my door. I created an "I can" statement based on one I saw online and I found a coding activity for each grade. 

Fifth, second, and third grade were on Tynker.com.  My fifth graders were given the opportunity to choose any activity from the website. My second graders did "Puppy Adventure" and my third graders did "Candy Quest."  Talk about loving what they were doing.  I had several fifth graders come in during recess just to do more coding.  SCORE!!!  The kindergartners and first graders used botlogic.us.  The kindergartners were on the iPads doing the activity while the first graders logged onto the computer.

Overall, the week went splendid and we had a lot of fun participating in Hour of Code.  I was so impressed with the requests to continue coding or about coding at home.  You know you’ve inspired kids when parents text you pictures of more completed certificates.  Here are just a few of the certificates from the week.  

The delight from so many of my kids really has me thinking about the direction I want to go in the computer lab.  How do you balance creating and making the curriculum fit but at the same time, truly igniting excitement in students? As I prepare for next semester I am truly searching for more engaging tactics and ideas to engage students who find school to be boring.  I want to inspire students and get them hooked on learning.  I love watching kids’ eyes dance with excitement when it comes to learning, new books, or a computer program.  Be looking and watching for the new ideas that come from the computer lab!!  

I also encourage you to try something new in your classroom.  Make the new thing exciting and engaging!  Coming from the classroom I know you can turn most things into something fun and engaging.  (Now long division is another story...seriously haven't ever been able to come up with something fun for that one!)  In one of our regular ed. classes the students participated in a technology activity to learn transformations.  Those kids were so excited to come show me what they were doing and I LOVED IT!  I also heard from their teacher they did significantly better on that particular topic when tested.  I love seeing kids enthusiastic about what they are learning...do something different and fun next semester to appeal to your students!!!

Word….

Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted to do was "grown up" things?  I'm picturing my nephew who wanted to write like us, so he scribbled on a paper.  Or the other nephew pretended to talk on the phone because he saw us on ours.  Over the past few weeks, I introduced my students to something that made them feel like they were learning a "grown up" thing.  In fact, I heard many of them say, "My mom (dad) uses this sometimes."  The excitement (in most of them) was fun to see.

I introduced both the 3rd and 5th graders to Microsoft Word.  In fact, we learned Microsoft Word was one of many word processing programs.  Then, the students were given the opportunity to explore some features and share what they learned.

My fifth graders were introduced to Microsoft Word and explored the font section.  The assignment was to write a short story using figurative language and insert clipart to illustrate the story.  I taught the students how to format the font, indent the paragraph, go to next line with return, and insert clipart.  Over two class periods, we explored the different formatting options in chunks.  Their short stories with figurative language and matching picture were cute.  (Shh…don't tell the boys I said their stories were cute!)

My third graders were just going to learn to format the font this go around, but the enthusiasm to explore all aspects of Word changed my mind during the first 15 minutes of class.  You see, after I introduced Word and showed the students how to format the font; I sent them to their seats to explore.  It took about five minutes before they were running from computer to computer (YES - some were REALLY running in my lab) and yelling at each other to "check this out!" It was at this point, I revamped my plans!  (It really is ALL about flexibility!!)  I decided to give the kids 20ish minutes to explore and play before sharing with everyone (on the big screen) what they learned.  Once everyone shared, they went back to their computer to try new things.  In a couple classes, we had SOOO much to share, we didn't have anytime that day to try the new things out.  The next week they were able to explore the features their friends had taught them.  I think their favorite thing was using the "glow" feature.  Oh and I learned some new tricks too.  Did you know there is a button you can push and it "un-formats" all you have highlighted?  I sure didn't.  Once the kids had time to explore, they were given the task of writing a book summary.  They were allowed to insert clip art that matched their summary!

(Word wall)                                      (Large version of Word for easy explaining)



Although I am sharing more of my lesson plans in this blog, I do want to leave you with a couple of thoughts…

1. Find something that really excites the kids - and once you do…pounce on it!  Let them explore.  I know I have more freedom in my schedule than classroom teachers, but if kids are bored, they won't be engaged!
2. Be flexible in your plans.  Take cues from your students about their needs!  Allow them to share if that is why they are running around your room!
3. Do something fun and engaging in the next 8 days!  You need it! The kids need it!
4. Let your kiddos teach you something!  They LOVE IT!!!
5. Remember what it was like to be a kid…and how you wanted to be grown up!