Grade 3: January Lessons

In January, we started using Scratch 2.0, off-line to do coding challenges. Students have starter Scratch programs that need to be modified to changed in specified ways. Example challenges include these Starter projects from the Scratch Help page:

• Paint with Gobo
• Starfish Choir
• Wizard Spells
• Five Random Facts About Me

Students also used ScratchJr on the iPads to learn how to make two characters have a conversation using the "talk" and "wait" blocks. First students extended these projects on the iPads, then applied the same concepts within Scratch 2.0.

Grade 1: January Lessons

In January, we were all very excited to start using ScratchJr on the iPads. Students are working on programs that:

• make a car drive along a road
• have three animals, travelling at different speeds, race across a scene
• show friends having fun at at dance party.

Students have been very engaged in these activities and have had great success!

Grade 1: December Lessons

In December, the Grade 1 students explored computer science concepts using hands on classroom activities and the Kodable Class app on the iPads. We practised following conditional statements as done in Kodable by walking on coloured squares in the classroom. We learned about the the very first computer "bug" (there was once real moth stuck in a computer that made it not work!), and tried out the Bugs Below Kodable levels. Some students even started to the Function Junction Kodable levels!

In an activity relating to the Unit of Inquiry about Air, students learned how to find the e-mail app on the iPads, open a message and follow a link to see images of air pollution in Beijing.

Grade 3: December Lessons

In December, the Grade 3 class was very busy getting ready for the school Science Fair. With a partner, students researched, designed and then created a simple water filter using mostly organic or household materials. We then tested each filter to see how well it removed dirt, vinegar, oil and soap, and compared our results to a simple filter made only of cloth and dirt. Students created posters to display their work, and presented to the Science Fair judges.

At the end of December, students got a taste of programming with Scratch, with some introductory challenges.

Grade 4: December Lessons

In December, students took on a longer term project and used Scratch to create an interactive quiz game. First, questions relating to their current Unit of Inquiry, Evolving Earth, were written. Then, students implemented their quizzes within Scratch. The final programs were on display at our annual Holiday Extravaganza concert for parents and other students to view.

Grade 1: November 25 - Looping and Pattern detectors

This week, students used a "pattern detector" (a short pipe cleaner bent into an "L") to help find the paths in Kodable where the Looper feature should be used. To be able to use the Looper, there needs to be at least two spots, right side by side, where the pattern detector fits.

Grade 4 November 17 Lesson Plan - Scratch Challenges

This week, students will continue working on Scratch challenges, adopted from the Scratch Starter Projects. This week's challenges are:

• Maze Starter
• Pong Starter
• Multiplication Game

Grade 3 November 17 Lesson Plan - Science Fair Continued

This week, students will continue work on their science fair projects. Purpose, Hypothesis, Method and Materials rough drafts will be written, and work started on building their filters.

Grade 4, November 10 Lesson - Scratch Challenges

This week, students worked on the following Scratch Challenges (the first three are adopted from the Starter Projects available here on the Scratch website):

• Teens in the Castle
• Dress Up Tera
• Spiral Maker
• Interactive Quiz Game

Grade 3 November 10 Lesson - Starting our Science Fair Projects

This week, we introduced the idea for our science fair projects. Students will design a water filter to remove various pollutants from water (soil, cooking oil, soap, vinegar), and compare their filter against a basic filter made from a funnel, cotton cloth and dirt. Students researched on the internet about different types of filters that can be bought or built, and then drew pictures of their designs.