Coding Apps for Hour of Code

Computer Science Education Week
December 4th - 10th

The skills used to learn coding are important to our future learners. Not only is it a booming job market, but is also great for supporting our SAISD Learner Profile: Creator, Critical Thinker, Collaborator, and Communicator. 

Blockly uses visual blocks that users can drag and connect to create codes. Blockly programming is used by many apps to teach coding to all ages. 

Here a few fantastic coding apps and sites to use during Hour of Code next week. 

Blockly Games teaches programming to children who have no experience with computer programming. 

Scratch from MIT is learning to code using visual blocks geared for ages 8-16, but can be used by anyone. It's free to join. Coders are able to create stories, games, and animations. 

ScratchJr from MIT is a free app that teaches younger children (ages 5-7) how to program. With their hands-on activities, children can program their own stories and games. 

Code.org is a wonderful website with curriculum, lessons, and activities for all ages.

Students can learn and practice the basics of coding with robots. 

Have a Dash? Dot? Check out these awesome apps: 

• Blockly - Coding Challenges that teaches fundamental programming concepts
• Wonder - includes 100's of challenges
• Path - Path introduces children to sequences, events, and sensors through its simple draw, drag, and drop interface. Plan, program, and execute an adventure for Dash while learning fundamental concepts of computational thinking. *from WonderWorkshop

  How about OzoBots? Check out these amazing apps and games:

• Ozobot App for BIT - includes a draw program in which students can code with colors.
• OzoGroove App for BIT - Code to create your own choreography for your Ozobot. 
• WebGames
• OzoBlockly - code and control your Ozobot

Want to see if Dash or Ozobot is a fit for your class? Contact EdTech with Howard and Feck and check out our DASH or Ozobots to use in your class for Hour of Code. 

Here's a STEM opportunity for Hour of Code from STEMFUSE

Fill out the form below to receive free Hour of Code Activities. 

https://goo.gl/oQrLqX 

Coding with Google

Computer Science Education Week
December 4th - 10th

Google CS First is a free program that introduces students to computer science. The CS First program can be ran like a club and offered after-school, in-school or during the summer. And even better anyone can run it because no computer science skills are necessary. The CS First program has everything you need to run your club including instructional videos, lesson guides, activities, solution sheets and much more. Students learn through instructional videos and create themed- based projects on topics such as sports, fashion, art and many more. 

Google CS First even includes activities for Hour of Code such as creating a Google Logo or animate ocean waters on the high sea. Students learn to code using the free Scratch block coding program. 

No Technology! No Problem!

Computer Science Education Week
December 4th - 10th

No devices! No problem. 😄 

Unplug with CSUnplugged. 

Computer Science Unplugged offers a variety of free non-tech lessons and activities for all ages that teach computer science. No computers needed just time, room, and maybe some cards and crayons. Learn computational thinking through engaging games and activities. 

EXCTING NEWS!

Image from texthelp.com

Register here: www.texthelp.com/freeforteachers 

Have fun Coding with Code.org

Computer Science Education Week
December 4th - 10th

Learn to Code with code.org

Code.org's message is simple. They believe that "anybody can learn to code". Their mission is to expose students to computer science just like all students are taught Science, Math, or English. It's free to join and users can log in using their SAISD Google Account. 

Code.org offers courses and tutorials for all grade levels and provide many additional resources such as lesson guides, how-to documents and videos, posters and guest speakers. Students learn to code and program by creating games, apps, and animations. An added benefit is that many of the Science and Math TEKS can be applied and used with many of the skills when learning coding and programming. And even more important it gives students more opportunities to work on their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Allowing students to learn how to work through failures and keep persisting until they find solutions. And all done in a stress free, fun, game-like environment. 

An added bonus this year: Take the Challenge and WIN a chat with a celebrity.

                                                               image from code.org

Hour of Code 2017

We want to make sure that you have plenty of time to plan for Hour of Code this year. We're taking a moment to spotlight the event in celebration of 

Computer Science Education Week December 4th - 10th. 

Hour of Code began as a one-hour introduction to computer science to show that anybody can learn the basics of coding and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. Participation in Computer Science helps students with problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. 

Go to the Hour of Code website to learn all about what it is and how to get started. While there check out the various lesson ideas and activities. 

Click here to become part of the movement. Register your class's event and get your students coding. 

Check back after the holidays as we blog about coding resources and tools available for you and your students. 

This Week's Leader Board

There were no changes this week. Not only does Lake View still takes top honor yet another week, they have also earned the most integration badges as of today. Integration badges showcase the technology tools that students are using in the classroom.  417 badges have been delivered this year. Let's keep that number increasing.

Skype-a-Thon 2017

Connecting Beyond the Classroom

😀Skype-a-Thon 2017 this November 28th and 29th😀

"Skype-a-Thon is a global learning event that makes it possible for students to virtually travel around the world and connect beyond the classroom. " 

For more information on how to join and participate, visit Skype in the Classroom from the Microsoft Education Site. Within this link, you will find all you need to start using Skype in your classroom. 
Skype in the Classroom includes information on: 

• What Skype is
• What Mystery Skype is
• How to use Skype in the classroom
• How to connect with other educators and guest experts
• Skype Lessons
• Virtual Field Trips
• Student Participation Certificates
• And so much more....

This Week's Leader Board

Lake View Chiefs still hold on to first place this week. Lamar Lions are still in second place, but the Glenmore Jets are right on their heels.

Features in Google Classroom and Padlet

You can Like, Star, Vote, or Grade posts in Padlet. This new feature is located under Reactions in the Modify section.

Students can view all comments for an assignment all at one time. Go to the About Section.
Click on Your Work: 

A list of all assignments will be displayed in the main panel of the classroom screen. From this list a student can quickly see which assignments are turned in, missing, late, or assigned. Click on any assignment that has a comment box out to the side: 

The panel will open and all comments made will be shown below: 

A NEW Tech Badge Leader

Congratulations to the Lake View Chiefs

The Lake View Chiefs take first place honors this week. Close behind, showing their pride and moving up fast are the Lamar Lions in second place. The soaring Glenmore Jets are grounded this week taking third place. Congratulations to Jody Waters. Her abundant badge submissions has put the Lee Rebels right in the thick of things. 

Want to see your campus on the Leader Board? Just visit our website and request a badge. There are many badges to choose from and more are added throughout the year. 

Photo Slideshow

Insert photos quickly and easily into Google Slides with Photo Slideshow

No longer is hanging up a worksheet or poster in the hallway enough to showcase what your students can and are doing in class. Now days, it's all about the pics. In just a few clicks, Photo Slideshow lets you insert images from either a Google Drive folder or a Google Photos album, and display them as slides in a Google Slides presentation. With this handy add-on, showcasing what your students are doing in class is quick and easy. 

1. Create a Photo Album folder(s) in your Google Drive or in Google Photos with all the necessary images or graphics that you want.
2. Open a new Google Slide presentation.
3. Use the Photo Slideshow add-on to instantly insert all photos or graphics from the Photo Album Folder on your Drive or Google Photos. *How awesome that you no longer have to insert images one at a time.
4. Embed the slide show in your classroom's web site to show off all the fun and neat things your students are learning and creating in class. 

Check out the videos to see how it works. 

• Create Photo Album Folder(s) in Google Drive and add images or graphics 
  
• Create a Photo Album in Google Photos
  
• How to add add-ons in Google Slides
  
• How to use Photo Slideshow
  
• How to add Slideshow to Google Sites