New K-5 Programming Book: @SamPatue's Programming In The Primary Grades! #kidscancode

A new book was written by Sam Patterson, a good friend of mine who works at Hausner in Palo Alto, called Programming In The Primary Grades. 

While I haven't read it yet, he introduced me to a lot of the coding/robotics things we do in Ravenswood and he is the reason we have been connected to Sphero and Tickle in the past.

I'll let you know more once I dive into the book itself!

-Robert

Pythonroom!

Pythonroom - This site guides students through learning Python. It's a great next step after code.org, Tynker, etc: an easy way to write code on the web. 

They just create a file, rename it, double click to open.  Run code pressing the green play button. Data is updated in real time (you can watch the progress your students are doing as they’re doing it.) Helps them understand what their errors are - instead of just “incorrect syntax”.  

Many lessons are available to students for free. If teachers wanted to pay, it's $500 per teacher per semester, with as much professional development as it takes to teach a full class.  Continued tech and curriculum support throughout the school year.  Moving forward, $5000 per school site per school site.   Added benefit = Pythonroom will do grades for you!  

Free professional development this school year if teachers are interested in trying it out this school year.  

Tip: Show students module 8 - graphics! A fun way for students to get into coding.