The purpose of this workshop is to introduce K-8 teachers with No Prior Experience to the free Code.org CS Curriculum.   Come learn about the growing Computer Science Movement, the Hour of Code, and Why we a now introducing CS into the elementary level.

Computer Science is Foundational and permeates every other subject area in some way.  That is why ALL TEACHERS (STEM specialists, Librarians, Classroom Teachers, Computer Lab Teachers, Computer Science Specialists, Administrators) can use lessons that teach and reinforce: persistence, logical thinking, problem solving, computational thinking, cooperation, collaboration and creativity.

All attendees will receive the following (at no cost to you): 
* in-person instruction from an experienced computer science facilitator
* an intro to computer science and pedagogy 

* an overview of the online curriculum and teacher dashboard
* a printed curriculum guide containing course lesson plans
* strategies for teaching “unplugged” classroom activities
* classroom supplies for the unplugged activities
* a certificate of completion
* a bag of Code.org swag bag of free stuff!!!!
* 6 clock hours!

* You will also walk away with TONS of CS Resources!

Physical Computing: Hands-on introduction to Robots and other digital coding devices. K-8+

(first 4 hours)

What can you learn from a robot? Adding robots and other physical computing devices to your classroom brings coding to life. What kid would not be actively engaged if they have a chance to use a robot to learn? Use a robot to introduce a new concept, you will have everyone’s attention. increase engagement, inspire creativity, problem solving and logical thinking. Learn how to integrate these robots and devices to increase and enhance engagement while connecting other subjects too.

This workshop is a great opportunity to be able to experience all these physically/manipulative devices pictured above that can help teach, reinforce and demonstrate learning and coding concepts. Come play, code, research, get advice, and experience first hand a variety of educational robots that can be coded with Blockly. (Dash and Dot Robots, Codeybot, BeeBot Robots, Robot Mouse, Ozobot Robots, Osmo Learning Systm, Little Bits Coding Kit, Code-a-pillar, Lego Mindstorm, mbot, Puzzlets, Flying Mini Parrot Drones, LegoWeDo2 STEM Coding Kit, Cubetto Robot, Root Robot, Finch Robots loan program as well as robot mat options.

Workshop will also include discussion/sharing of possible funding options and resources and information of available grants, referral discounts and incentives, classroom management strategies for integration, challenge activities, available robot competitions, grade level recommendations, and awareness of additional supporting curriculum that is available, as well as lots and lots of ideas and inspiration.

15 min transition time part 2: last two hours

Next Coding Steps: Blocks to Script Learn how to introduce “real” computer languages: Python, CoffeeScript, JavaScript in an easy, playful way to your young students. (4th grade +)

This workshop will help bring to your attention multiple resources to help you introduce scripting in a easy, fun and playful way. Perfect for elementary and middle school students. Students want to start coding with script towards the end of 4th and into 5th grade. This workshop will not only give you lots of great resources and places to start, but it will also help you gain the confidence needed to help guide your students in this direction.

We will look at several resources that will help you introduce this to your students: App Playground, BitsBox, Code Monkey, Teach your Kids to Code resources, Tynker ability to move from Code blocks to scripting buttons, Code.org StarWars Javascript tutorial, ….

These activities and resources are also great for reinforcing computer science concept lessons and practice providing NEXT STEPS after learning the concept with blocks. My students loved learning about variables with blocks and then move to scripting with variables using BitsBox as create and play with mini apps on a virtual tablet and get immediate feedback after changing the color coded variables and see the result right in front of them. They are using real scripting language, and feel like a real computer programmer. Amazing- and so young!

You might even think of creating a Python or JavaScript after school Club as enrichment for students who are asking for this.

Please bring your own device – This is a hands-on workshop!

If you can put the TIME of each of day 2 and 3 parts starting- participants can chose to come to one part or both.