Coding + Math by
This book offers a deep dive into computer science integration, providing guidelines for designing elementary CS/math curricula through case studies and practical examples. How-to books related to computer science (CS) and teaching CS in K-12 environments are often either step-by-step guides or reference books, with little or no connection to pedagogy. By contrast, Coding + Math offers the analytical foundation teachers need to inform their practice, specifically in mathematics. Grounded in research, the book's mini-lessons contrast visual-based coding with text-based programming and provide guidance in the selection and creation of lessons, instructional materials and CS platforms to help educators prepare students for the careers of the future. The book: Includes case studies in each chapter, with a research snapshot that contextualizes the key elements of the case study. Offers strategies for "getting out the blocks" and introducing text-based CS when students are ready. Examines the rationale and effectiveness of scaffolded approaches to CS -- such as block coding, scripted and storyboarding -- vs. traditional syntax-based and problem-solving approaches. Ties effective teaching strategies directly to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards, ISTE's Standards for Computer Science Educators and the ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies. Coding + Math will strengthen the ties between math and CS to support students' achievement in math, as well as their future CS course selections and pursuits of CS careers. Audience: K-5 educators
Coding and the Arts by
Unlock your students' creative potential by exploring the intersections between CS and art across various types of artistic media, including drawing, animation, music and physically interactive art. While there are books that discuss the intersection of the arts and computer science (CS), there are none written for K-12 teachers that cover the content overlaps between CS and the arts beyond a single programming environment, and that feature approaches and examples of practicing artists. Coding and the Arts fills that gap. CS sometimes gets a bad rap as dry, isolated and uninteresting work -- the pursuit of analytically minded techies working alone. In reality, programming is deeply creative and enables artists of all types to discover new ways to express themselves. In this book, you'll explore how to apply computation to stretch the possibilities in many art forms, as well as how to pave the way for entirely new ones. By approaching programming tools as artistic media, you'll connect the dots between programming, creativity and artistic expression. Along the way, you'll learn from a diverse set of computational artists and teachers who are using technology to push the bounds of traditional artistic media. Chapters include: Spotlights of working artists and educators who are integrating computing into their art. Deep dives into artistic programming environments, exploring their unique benefits, constraints and impact on classroom use. Alignment to the four pillars of computational thinking to help you create richer learning experiences for students. Lesson sketches aligned with CS concepts and the ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies. The book also offers strategies for supporting students in developing as computational artists, including the attitudes and practices that will help them as artists and computer scientists.
Coding with Minecraft by 
No Fear Coding: Computational Thinking Across the K-5 Curriculum 2nd edition by
This new edition of the popular book No Fear Coding offers current research, updated tools and more cross-curricular connections for K-5 teachers to integrate into their classes. Coding has become an essential skill for finding solutions to everyday problems, while computational thinking (CT) teaches reasoning and creativity, and offers an innovative approach to demonstrating content knowledge and seeing mathematical processes in action. No Fear Coding introduced many K-5 educators to ways to bring coding into their curriculum by embedding computational thinking skills into activities for different content areas. This second edition features updated tools--including programmable robots and other physical computing devices--as well as new activities aligned to the ISTE Standards for Students and Computational Thinking Competencies. Also new in this edition: New tools for teaching coding--including physical computing devices, block-based programming and AR/VR-- along with methods for introducing, tutorials and lesson plans. Teachable examples and activities that illustrate CT concepts--decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithmic thinking. Resources for deeper understanding and discussion questions for professional development and reflection on the practice of teaching coding and CT. Tips on demystifying basic coding concepts so that teachers are comfortable teaching these concepts to their students. No Fear Coding, Second Edition will help build students' coding and CT knowledge to prepare them for the middle grades and beyond. Audience: K-5 classroom teachers
Rev up Robotics by
Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics. Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects. You'll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you'll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction. The book: Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations. Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++. Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting. Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors. With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.
60 Ready-To-Use Coding Projects by
The lessons of ALA's Libraries Ready to Code initiative are conclusive: your library can make a difference in developing computational thinking in children, teens, and even adults. And you don't even need to be a techie to make it happen; in fact, many activities in this new book from tech champion Kroski dispense with a screen altogether in favor of twister boards, masking tape grids, or bowling pins. Other activities are built around affordable software or tech toys like Scratch Jr., Scratch, Bee-Bot, or Code-a-Pillar. Organized by age group, and complete with step-by-step guidance on everything from learning outcomes to an estimated budget, projects include teaching coding to preschoolers with beads, pipe cleaners, and elastic string; choreographing music videos with Ozobots; programming Mad Libs-style games using Python; teaching algorithms with story mapping, pattern play, or mazes; using Scratch for digital dress-up or meme remixes; team-building and outreach with robots; drop-in programs for exploration and unstructured play; and teaching adults with Lynda.com or Meetup partners. This book's structured presentation will help both school librarians and programming staff at public libraries quickly scan for projects that fit their needs.
Robotics for Young Children by
Winner of the 2018 Midwest Book Award Education Category Introduce young children to the building and programming of robots through playful, developmentally appropriate activities. Many early childhood professionals are unfamiliar with computer science, robotics, and engineering concepts. This user-friendly and accessible book gives teachers great ideas for engaging young children with 100 exciting hands-on computer science and engineering activities. The book can be easily included in a developmentally appropriate curriculum and offers a balance of adult-facilitated and child-centered activities.
How to Code a Sandcastle by
From the computer science nonprofit Girls Who Code comes this lively and funny story introducing kids to computer coding concepts. All summer, Pearl has been trying to build the perfect sandcastle, but out-of-control Frisbees and mischievous puppies keep getting in the way! Pearl and her robot friend Pascal have one last chance, and this time, they're going to use code to get the job done. Using fundamental computer coding concepts like sequences and loops, Pearl and Pascal are able to break down their sandcastle problem into small, manageable steps. If they can create working code, this could turn out to be the best beach day ever! With renowned computer science nonprofit Girls Who Code, Josh Funk and Sara Palacios use humor, relatable situations, and bright artwork to introduce kids to the fun of coding.
Coding with ScratchJr by
ScratchJr is a beginner's programming language that is fun and easy to use. Through simple text written to foster creativity and problem solving, students will learn the art of innovation. Large, colorful images show students how to complete activities. Additional tools, including a glossary and an index, help students learn new vocabulary and locate information.
Think Like a Coder by
Coding is everywhere! Follow along with a girl and her dog as they explore computational thinking in their everyday activities. Colourful illustrations and easy to access text help readers recognize that many of their daily explorations – cooking, playing, and even being outdoors – provide opportunities to explore and problem solve.
A helpful and practical article on the EdCan Network by Thierry Karsenti that offers teachers guidance and tools to get started with coding in Canadian classrooms. Published online 29 May 2019, this article includes a helpful FACT SHEET that puts coding in the wider context of 21st century education. A second link out to the pdf 11 Extraordinary Apps that Will Help You Teach Your Students How To Code, make this a must-read article. The EdCan Network is produced by the Canadian Education Association.
Are you ready to discover an awesome site where coders share lesson ideas linked to the U.S. Computer Science Teachers Association Standards? Supported by some of the world's largest tech companies, this non-profit organization offers teachers comprehensive lesson plans, learning opportunities, and so much more. Delve in here and you will find that this is a world where sharing among coders is backed by generous corporate support. Check out the Computer Science (CS) Fundamentals for Elementary Schools to find lessons ideal for your grade level.
The Science Teachers Association of Ontario (STAO) shares coding lesson plans organized by grade level. Use your teacher candidate access to the Password Guide to find your access path to the STAO web site (it's under Science on the left sidebar). If you have forgotten your Password Guide access code, email Brenda for a reminder. Once on the STAO site, Once logged on to the STAO site, I clicked Classroom Resources, searched coding, and there were many options, including Coding and Robotics in the Elementary Classroom.
codetolearn.ca "offers free resources to Canadian students and teachers to help them learn coding, robotics, computational thinking and 21st century skills". The site features Lynx coding -- a next step from block-based coding tools before tackling the more complex Python or JavaScript. Codetolearn.ca is part of the TakingITGlobal network and is partially funded by the Government of Canada.
I can't tell when this was prepared, but this site still has active and useful content. Includes Sample Learning Plans for K to 8.
The popular Edutopia site for practical teaching ideas has published more than 20 articles over the past few years to get teachers started on teaching coding. Maybe get started with the 6 November 2019 article by Jorge Valenzuela, How to Get Started Teaching Coding.
EduCode Academy is offering 2-months of free access in response to the COVID-19 #FlattenTheCurve stay-at-home initiative. EduCode is designed for teachers and classrooms and is a super-friendly and well-organized site. There are hundreds of coding activities for you to explore. You can even try out some of their courses at the Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced level during this temporary free access time. Check it out soon!
Lessons learned from research classrooms, by George Gadanidis, Western University. This site offers coding activities for Primary, Junior, and Intermediate students.
You are probably already using Common Sense Media content as you plan lessons on digital topics, so you won't be surprised to that this site is an excellent source of content for learning and teaching about coding. Download the helpful Tip Sheet for Teachers before moving on to check out Get Started with Coding in the Classroom to expand your classroom strategies. I always appreciate the helpful reviews of sites and other sources that Common Sense Media provides so I especially recommend their Best Apps and Websites for Learning Programming and Coding.
Part of the Canada Learning Code site, Teachers Learning Code is currently offering free live workshops for beginning coders. The site also has open access lesson plans that range from K to 12. Lesson plans include offline ideas for introducing coding concepts and terminology. Sign up to receive a 24-page introductory guide to coding.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) blog is open to all and sometimes features helpful articles on coding. In this piece, teachers are encouraged to think about integrating coding across other content areas.
Two coding sites that will inspire you to start learning now:
Features guides, videos, an easy-to-browse collection of lessons, and is classroom-based.
A free computer science curriculum from Google for Education.
Yes, this site features an Ozobot storefront, but teachers can sign up for free access to training and the Lesson Library. It's worth it.
A project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch allows you to program your own stories, games and animations.
Computer Coding in the K-8 Math Curriculum?
George Gadanidis (Western University), with Iain Brodie, Leslee Minniti, and Bronna Silver (Toronto District School Board) ... offer teachers 4 Canadian resources for moving ahead with integrating coding into your math classrooms.