Computer Science Fundamentals Code.org
Code.org Resources:
- Online copy of the Computer Science Fundamentals Courses A-F lessons and other materials
- Self-paced PD for people who didn't attend the training or want a refresher
- Login page to access the teacher dashboard
- Support page with topics such as Creating a Class Section and Creating Accounts for Students
- Forum page for Computer Science Fundamentals. One place to check for answers to your questions.
Code.org Tips from the Training, working with the Technology Teachers and My Two-Bit Opinions:
- The PLTW/Technology Teachers in each building will assign the students to specific lab computers if you share a lab. If you are using a cart or other room, assign a workstation to each student.
- I would use Course C for 4th Grade and Course D for 5th Grade, at least at the beginning of the year. You can always change it to a higher level at the end of a Lesson sequence.
- Put the links to your sections on a web page, the Shared drive or somewhere else that students can access it without having to type in the URL each time. If they type it in the first week, they could also bookmark it or drag the link to their Desktops.
- They suggest creating one section for all of the 4th Grade at your building and one for all of the 5th Grade. They used the graduation year for the students. Easier to "graduate' students the next year.
- If you want the student names to appear in alphabetical order, enter them LastName FirstName.
- Create an imaginary student to use for demonstration purposes.
- They suggest using Picture logins for all grade levels. You can print out cards for the students once you create sections and add students.
- They suggest enabling Extras and Pair Programming for your students. Extras give early finishers something to do. Pair Programming cuts down on frustration and encourages teamwork.
- Pair Programming allows two students to work together while sharing one computer. Student partners should make sure that it says "Hi Team" on their screen so that they both get credit.
- Might be easier to watch videos as a group before working on the activities for the lessons individually.
Typing.com
Typing.com Resources
- Support and Frequently Asked Questions
- Sign up for their newsletter at the bottom of the screen
Typing.com Procedures
- Create your teacher account to Typing.com and login
- You will see the Feature Overview and Set Up Your Classes videos at the top of the screen. Watch these to see how Typing.com works.
- Add your class sections using the My Classes link at the top of the page.
- Click on the Account link at the top of the page. Change your Student Sign Up Join Code to your last name or another word of your choice and click on Update Settings.
- Unless a student is new to the building, they should already have logins to Typing.com from last year. Their usernames are the same as the usernames they use for the Anchor Bay network. An example for a student named Fred Smith would be something like: SmithF1234. The password is: student
- You will have to add students who do not have accounts. Ask your building's PLTW/Tech teacher what the usernames are.
- The first time you use Typing.com, have the students login, click on ACCOUNT at the top of the page, then scroll down to Join A Class at the bottom. They should enter your last name as the Join Code, choose the correct class, and click the Join Class button.
- Students can only be a member of one class at a time, so you will have to un-link them on the Teacher Dashboard if they join the wrong class.
- A suggested end-of-year goal for words per minute is 20 wpm for 4th Grade and 25 wpm for 5th Grade. (5 wpm x grade level)
- Tip: If students play the Typing.com games, the screen might be blank for a while because an ad is playing that has been blocked.
- Other "free choice" typing games could include choices like the ones at Mrs. Hann's site.
Sample 1st Month of Lessons
Week 1: Introduction/Rules then students login, join classes, pick up where they left off
Week 2: Login/Keyboard lessons then 3-minute typing test
Week 3: Login/Keyboard lessons then introduce Games
Week 4: Introduce Code.org, distribute cards, etc.
Week 2: Login/Keyboard lessons then 3-minute typing test
Week 3: Login/Keyboard lessons then introduce Games
Week 4: Introduce Code.org, distribute cards, etc.