Before One Can Code, One Must Understand the Computer

"Is this the correct spot for the hard drive?"  No joke, phrases like that issued from my elementary students mouths this past week.  I was geeking out while students worked together to build pretend computers.  

The "My First Computer" activity came from the author of the book, Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas.  The book focuses on a girl named Ruby who is a very independent and imaginative spirit.  For example, when she is told to get dressed, she puts her outfit over her pajamas because she was never told to take her pajamas off.  

Ruby's adventure begins when she receives a postcard from her father letting her know there are gems hidden around their neighborhood for her to find.  Ruby decides to make a plan which includes finding clues (which she does in her father's office) to make a map of where the gems are located.

Once Ruby begins her adventure--she meets penguins, foxes, a snow leopard, robots, and Django with his pet Python.  Ruby's planning and hunt for the gems teach skills related to coding--breaking big problems into small ones, sequencing, algorithm, looping, etc.  

The back of the book has quite the selection of activities to help kids practice computational thinking.  

Back to the "My First Computer" activity...I adapted this for multiple classes by printing out only enough color copies for students to work in pairs.  The pieces were laminated and cut out so that they could be reused.  Students used tacky putty to place items together and that made it easy to remove them.  

The students LOVED this activity and some were disappointed that they didn't get to take the computer home.  Once I told them that they could visit the Hello Ruby website they were so excited!

Black History Month Webquest

This past Friday, I knew I HAD to keep the students engaged...it was our first full week of school without any snow days, it was Valentine's Day and did I mention it was Friday?!  A last minute idea formed and suddenly, I knew the students should complete a Black History Month WebQuest.  I had already gathered websites beforehand (to help the 3rd gr with their black hero research) and bookmarked them on my Only2Clicks, which you can view here.  *There are more sites than on the webquest because I wanted them to browse this page during centers week.

Typically, I've created WebQuests that are made completely online where you ask students to visit a site, they read the content, and answer questions or explore topics by following links all in one place.  This time, students in grades 3-5 are introduced to this concept via a worksheet I created to visit the bookmarking site and follow links to answer questions or view videos.  They were directed to learn more about the Harlem Renaissance, children's book authors and illustrators, influential sports figures (website works best on Google Chrome), inventors, and a choose your own path version of the Underground Railroad.  

My students have to get used to the idea of navigating several websites to find answers to questions. After their interest in this activity, I've decided to begin brainstorming more WebQuests.  I think one of the next ones I create will involve the skill of gathering information on the same topic from several forms of visual media online--text, video, and picture (ala Common Core).

I'm working on a modified version of the sheet I'm sharing with you so that 2nd graders can complete the webquest, too.  

Image courtesy of supakitmod/freedigitalphotos.net

An eReader a Day

Within the last two weeks, I have introduced my 4th and 5th graders to NookColors. They went from learning the basics to requesting more books be put on the Nooks. It was shockingly quiet in the library during their class times, especially with it being so close to winter break. I'm not going to lie, I planned it that way. But, I never imagined the complete captivation these eReaders would cause.

One of the best parts about their use of the Nooks, is that they have to partner up to share them. There was very minimal complaining because they didn't want to risk losing any time with the Nooks. Some students who don't usually work well with others, were willing or even volunteering to partner up with other classmates (good confidence builder). Students were reinforcing the skills they've learned by reminding each other how to complete a function or what not to do with the eReader.

The most popular titles I purchased for the Nooks so far, are The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney and Pete the Cat: Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin. Yes, my 4th and 5th graders loved hearing Pete the Cat being read to them. A lot of them wanted to know what other books could be read to them, with the 'read to me' feature I mentioned last post.

I've decided to let them have time with the Nooks during checkout days by making an eReader center. This way it allows continual exposure to the eReader, encourages reading, and responsibility.