TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 25, 2018
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Twitter Chat: Coding 101 - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coding (87), computers (105), twitterchatarchive (172)
In the Classroom
Find tools and resources to create lessons that incorporate coding. Share this chat with your colleagues looking for sites and information related to coding. Explore the various tools that are shared.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Disney Hour of Code Digital Toolkit - Moana: Wayfinding with Code - Disney and Code.org
Grades
2 to 6tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free materials to plan your Hour of Code activities for your school or classroom. Although created for Hour of Code, use these materials to create student interest in computer science at any time. Find many other coding activities and tutorials for all ability levels at Code, reviewed here. Instead of using the invitation provided in this activity, enhance learning and have students personalize and create their own flyer and invitations using Canva for Education, reviewed here. Use Canva after your activity to send thank you notes to volunteers. Extend learning and have students share their coding stories (including successes and failures) using Flip, reviewed here. Encourage students to continue to learn about coding and computer science using Scratch, reviewed here, to create their own learning games.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Turtle Academy - TurtleAcademy
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): coding (87), computers (105), logic (163), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Share Turtle Academy with students as part of a computer coding center. The ability to select different portions of lessons makes this a great tool for both novice and experienced programmers. Ask more proficient students to become advisors to newer programmers and share their knowledge and skills. Begin using this site by demonstrating lessons and activities on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Modify student learning and understanding by asking them to create video explainers for different skills using a tool like Clipchamp, reviewed here. then share videos on your class website for student use at any time. Looking for other coding activities for your classroom? Find more at TeachersFirst's Coding in the Classroom special topic page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Computational Thinking - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): computational thinking (41), engineering (117), logic (163), problem solving (225), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Bring problem-solving and computational thinking into your classroom with these tools. Share on your class website, projector, whiteboard, or on individual devices. Topics range from coding to charts to logic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Code Player - thecodeplayer.com
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), design (82), logic (163), problem solving (225), STEM (259), tutorials (51), video (256)
In the Classroom
The Code Player is an excellent tool for anyone who prefers to watch demonstrations to learn instead of reading or listening to directions. Depending on the coding abilities of your students, choose one of the demos to display on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector and learn together. Have groups of students choose a different coding format to complete an activity. Use this site as a model for you or your students to create your own screencasts sharing how-to projects with coding. Enhance learning by using a tool like Screencastify, reviewed here. Screencastify works with the Chrome browser to record your screen and capture audio recordings. Have more advanced students create their own coding projects for classroom use.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Minecraft Hour of Code Tutorials - code.org
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), design (82), problem solving (225), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Make coding part of science inquiry or math logic in any classroom. Include it as part of scientific method or discussions about careers in science. You may even want to portray coding as just another "world language" in today's world. Be sure to look at all the implementation advice before introducing these extensive coding resources to your class. It would be wise to complete the Hour of Code yourself, so you will feel comfortable helping students if they get stuck. Better yet, invite a few students to do an hour with you after school and learn together! You will have a team of "techsperts" to help their peers. Plan an hour of Code on nationally designated days or on your own calendar! Invite the PTA/PTO to host a coding event. Select a video from this site to use to introduce Computer Science to your students. If you only have a few computers, introduce this tool using a projector or interactive whiteboard and bookmark it as a learning station with earbuds/headphones. Encourage students to help each other when they have difficulty. Share this on your website for students to use at home, too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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E.A.K. (Erase All Kittens) - Drum Roll
Grades
1 to 6tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), logic (163), problem solving (225), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Introduce Erase All Kittens on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Allow students to explore and learn on their own at classroom computer centers or individual laptops. Provide a link to Erase All Kittens for students to access at home. Create a bulletin board for students to post achievement levels. Enhance learning by having student "coding experts" create video tutorials using Screencast-o-matic, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Coding In the Classroom Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), design (82), makerspace (41), problem solving (225), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Explore these resources for use with after-school computer clubs or as an excellent tool when recruiting skilled parent volunteers. Turn the intimidating content of computer programming into an exciting learning adventure for all with these helpful sites!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Code - Hadi & Ali Partovi
Grades
K to 10tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), problem solving (225), STEM (259), women (136)
In the Classroom
Make coding part of science inquiry or math logic in any classroom. Include it as part of scientific method or discussions about careers in science. You may even want to portray coding as just another "world language" in today's world. Once you've registered you will have a Dashboard; Note, the "Professional Learning" is not free. It would be wise to complete the Hour of Code yourself so you will feel comfortable helping students if they get stuck. Better yet, invite a few students to do an hour with you after school and learn together! You will have a team of "techsperts" to help their peers. Select the Learn button from the top menu to find two links for educators. Plan an hour of Code on nationally designated days or on your own calendar! Invite the PTA/PTO to host a coding event. Select a video to use to introduce Computer Science to your students. Introduce this tool using a projector or interactive whiteboard and bookmark it as a learning station with earbuds/headphones. Encourage students to help each other when they have difficulty. Share this on your website for students to use at home, too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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