220 Sight Word Practice Pages - Mr. Mattie This new teaching resource includes 220 worksheets focusing on Dolch Sight Words. The whole resource is divided into five groups: pre-kindergarten sight words, kindergarten sight words, first grade sight words, second grade sight words and third grade sight words. Each of these sections is arranged alphabetically. You can see a few of the practice sheets below. You can download 10 sample worksheets here. I hope you like them and decide to get the whole resource for US $4.00. Once you make the purchase, you’ll receive an automatic e-mail with a download link to get the pdf version of the purchased teaching resource(s).
New Project: Building BrushBot Kits | Make: Step #1: Check the contents of your kit. PrevNext You should have 4 toothbrushes, 4 tiny motors with wires attached, 4 batteries with wires attached, and 2 pieces of double-sided tape. Step #2: Cut the toothbrush. Use strong scissors or diagonal cutters to cut the toothbrush head off the handle. Make sure to cut it close to the bristles, as shown here. Step #3: Cut the tape. Use scissors to cut one piece of double-sided foam tape into 4 smaller squares. Step #5: Test-fit the battery. The battery has a natural "curve" to it. Step #7: Attach the vibrating motor. Peel the sticker off the motor, and stick the motor firmly on top of the battery.
Computational Thinking - CSTA The purpose of the CSTA Computational Thinking Task Force is to inform and advise CSTA about current developments in computational thinking (CT) and to explore and disseminate teaching and learning resources related to CT. The Task Force will recommend possible projects and directions, and keep the CSTA Board apprised of new developments and initiatives, possible projects for CSTA. Task Force Members: Irene Lee, Chair (Santa Fe Institute, Project GUTS) Fred Martin, Co-Chair (University of Massachusetts Lowell) J. Philip East (University of Northern Iowa) Diana Franklin (University of California, Santa Barbara) Shuchi Grover (Stanford University) Roxana Hadad (Northeastern Illinois University) Joe Kmoch (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) Michelle Lagos (American School of Tegucigalpa) Eric Snow (SRI) Computational Thinking Interview Series Computational Thinking Resources Computational Thinking Flyer Click here to download. Research Notebook: Computational Thinking-What and Why?
5 places where any kid can learn how to code “The kids of today tap, swipe and pinch their way through the world. But unless we give them tools to build with computers, we are raising only consumers instead of creators,” says programmer Linda Liukas. That’s why parents and teachers should introduce coding as a creative act — a playful form of making that requires imagination, bravery and perseverance. 1) Hello Ruby Hello Ruby is a whimsical website (and book!) 2) Code.org Code.org teaches students the basics of programming through a free series of guided exercises — and is one of several resources on this list to be recommended by the TED Technology Team. 3) Scratch Created and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT’s Media Lab, Scratch is a both a programming language and an evolving community of young coders. 4) Girls Who Code Will the next generation of computer scientists include more Ada Lovelaces? 5) CS Unplugged Even a Waldorf school can get excited about these computer science teaching tools.
20 Tools for Teaching Vocab. – Literacy with Miss P If you’ve read my posts about building vocabulary and spelling in a reading rich curriculum, you’ll know that I am keen on instilling a love of reading, an interest in the etymology of words and an inquisitive nature about word origins and meanings. I believe the teaching of spelling and vocabulary should be through fun, engaging activities that excite and inspire children. In no particular order, here’s my run-down of my top 20 online tools for teaching vocabulary (which you can also download as a handy 2-page word document or PDF): Vocabulary Ninja is a fantastic website full of useful resources, word banks and games. If you have any other suggestions of useful vocabulary resources – please add them to the comments box below!
New Project: BrushBots Habitats | Make: Foolproof and kids are not words I usually put together. But out of the unpredictable process of working with kids come some of the most incredible ideas. My criteria, then, for a sure-fire project are based on the values we promote at Curiosity Hacked. BrushBot Habitats is a simple project that’s successful every time we offer it. BrushBots or BristleBots are a fun project for any age. Younger kids tend to build battle rings and mazes; older kids have produced beautiful labyrinths, multilevel structures, castles with working drawbridges, and even a zip line! We love this project because it includes all the values I listed above, plus it’s comfortable and fun, especially for families new to making. Props to Evil Mad Scientist Labs, who got the whole bot world buzzing with their toothbrush BristleBot. From the Maker Shed: BrushBots Party Pack In just a few steps, you’ll turn toothbrush heads, pager motors, and coin-cell batteries into spinning, speeding bots.
Pre-K Computer Programming | Primo Toys Written by Primo Toys’ CEO and Co-founder Filippo Yacob, originally posted on EdSurge. It sounds like a paradox. How can you teach computer programming without a screen? Computer programming is a term synonymous with coding, after all. Text, letters, syntax, arranged in meaningful sequences that give machines instructions. We code with our keyboards and we see code on our screens. But there is a clear distinction between coding and computer programming, and an even greater distinction between coding and computational thinking, the logical foundations of computer programming. Before I argue why, though, I need to make something clear. It’s for these reasons that at the end of last year, the American Association of Pediatricians (APP) revised its historically inflexible policy recommendation on screen time for the young. Reliable evidence to support a strict anti-screen stance for children is hard to come by. But not all screen-based learning is adequate.
Scratch - For Parents What is the age range for Scratch? While Scratch is primarily designed for 8 to 16 year olds, it is also used by people of all ages, including younger children with their parents. What resources are available for learning Scratch? If you’re just getting started, there’s a step-by-step guide available inside Scratch, or you can download the Getting Started guide (PDF). The Scratch Cards provide a fun way to learn more. For an overview of Scratch resources, see Scratch Help. What is the Scratch online community? When participating in the Scratch online community, members can explore and experiment in an open learning community with other Scratch members from all backgrounds, ages, and interests. What are the guidelines for the Scratch online community? The MIT Scratch Team works with the community to maintain a friendly and respectful environment for people of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. What is your privacy policy?
30 years of Willy the Wimp | Children's books We first met Anthony Browne's Willy the Wimp in 1984 – 30 years on and this delightful chimp has starred in many books and won his creator a host of prizes. Now to celebrate the anniversary and his new book Willy's Stories, Anthony Browne shares some insights into why he brought Willy into the world. Also see The Art of Anthony Browne and 30 years of Willy the Wimp exhibition runs at the Illustration Cupboard Gallery in London until 20 September 2014 plus find this fabulous Willy the Wimp video. We have five signed copies of Willy's Stories to giveaway.
Computational Thinking Lesson Overview For this activity, no instructions are provided. Instead, students will use examples of what imaginary players have done to figure out how to play the game. This lesson gives students the opportunity to practice the four arts of computational thinking (decomposition, pattern matching, abstraction, and algorithms) in one cohesive activity. Lesson Objectives Students will: Analyze information to draw conclusionsMatch identical portions of similar phrases to match patternsIdentify differences in similar phrases and abstract them out Getting Started (15 min) 1) Vocabulary This lesson has four new and important words: Algorithm - Say it with me: Al-go-ri-thm A list of steps that you can follow to finish a task Decompose - Say it with me: De-com-pose Break a problem down into smaller pieces Abstraction - Say it with me: Ab-strac-shun Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems 2) Figuring it Out Activities: (25 min) 3) Computational Thinking 1.
Girls Who Code Girls Who Code works to close the gender gap in technology. Our free programs educate, inspire, and equip girls to pursue opportunities in technology. | Free Summer Programs & Clubs Explorer Launch Day! – Teacher Glitter A few months ago I came across the most wonderful book called Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy. The minute I read it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and how wonderful it would be to use it to inspire the children. For those unfamiliar with the book, we follow the turbulent adventures of two brave children (Arthur and Maudie) as they set sail on a perilous airship adventure to find their missing father; lost on an expedition to the South Polaris. It is full of excitement, action and colourful characters that fly off the page; precisely the sort of book that would allow a creative approach to our explorers topic. I wasn’t exactly sure where to start but knew the character of Harriet Culpepper would be my inspiration, so began by raiding my craft box to make a hat. The ideas started to fall into place after that (as the book makes it easy to plan exciting ideas) and I soon had a format for the day. We started the morning with an explorers parade and photo shoot outside. 5) Free Art Like this:
Computational Thinking - Barefoot Computing Barefoot Computing What is computational thinking? Computational thinking is about looking at a problem in a way that a computer can help us to solve it. This is a two-step process: 1. First, we think about the steps needed to solve a problem. 2. For example, if you’re going to make an animation, you need to start by planning the story and how you’ll shoot it before you can use computer hardware and software to help you get the work done. When creating an animation, you create the sequence of the story before using computer software, such as Scratch to create it. Computational thinking is not thinking about computers or like computers. Computational thinking involves 6 different concepts and 5 approaches to working: Click on the icons below to find out more about each of the concepts and approaches. Why is computational thinking important? Computational thinking and the concepts behind it, form the basis for much of computer science. Is this the most efficient way to solve the problem? In each case: 3 – 5 years