We have had a fantastic first 2 weeks in the Sinclair STEM Lab! Things are not exactly normal, but a bit more so than last year and I am grateful for that. I have enjoyed seeing familiar faces in person rather than on a computer screen, and it has been great to meet so many new-to-Sinclair students.
Each year, my Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes begin with a computer programming unit based around Code.org activities. For the Kindergarten students this is their first taste of computer programming. The lessons are a mix of screen-based and unplugged activities. The goal is to develop their algorithmic thinking skills and prepare them for more creative computing tasks to come later in the year.
I like to start 1st and 2nd grade with Code.org every year in order to review with the returning students, and to introduce students who are new to programming. These older students also participate in a mix of plugged and unplugged activities. Creative computing is a central part of what students do in the lab and the Code.org puzzles help those new students become comfortable with block based programming before they are exposed to Scratch Jr, and later to Scratch.
The last day of the week is what is popularly called Free Build Friday. Students get creative with whatever materials are supplied that week and build whatever they want. I am always so impressed by what they think to construct.
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