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Great article that explains why we should be teaching computational thinking and coding. 

Probably the most succinct explanation - and one of the most cogent metaphors - for why the computer coding initiative is so important!

Scroll down to the Practical Tips for the Early Grades section. There are some interesting thoughts about various modes of exploration and learning from independent to pairs and groups. The list of seven skills that support pre-reading is helpful as we explain to others the benefits of coding for pre-readers and beginning readers.

This is a really useful article and worth a read.

Interesting! I know we use Kodable and Beebot with our students but I hadn't seen the LEGO version. Having 2 boys who love LEGOs I decided to put it on my iPad and see what they thought. They both really enjoyed to robot and making him move around. To me it got hard faster than Kodable but honestly they didn't seem to mind. (and it didn't seem hard for them just me. :) It may be a thought to have another coding program to put in Kindergarteners hands.

This article presents a broader picture of coding that includes computational thinking (CT) especially at the elementary level. It is helping me as I am constructing my own understanding of coding , CT and their applicability.

This article made me research more on Computational Thinking. Here is a site that can give you examples of how this might look in your classroom. Check out CT Models in the K-12 curriculum. http://www.google.com/edu/computational-thinking/

This goes with the article Code.org's K-5 Computer Science Curriculum. This site gives you sample lessons to try out.

Here are some good coding activities that we could use K-4. Take a look and let me know if you would like to do this with your class.

I'm not sure my K students can "define" coding, but they certainly know persistance is important. It doesn't come naturally to all of them, but they persist until it does!

The article says coding is "thinking and planning in order to make things happen"...the link for the quotes from the country's leaders (Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, etc.) all reference "learning how to write a computer program" I wonder if computer programming will be part of the Middle or High School curriculum eventually.

I will tell you the code to get into this binder at our TLT meeting today (10/15/13)

QR codes are fun. Let your imagination run wild.

Preschool, Kindergarten or 1st interested in this?

Sounds like a great alternative to an app! Just when you thought board games were fading away and this one looks so interactive, fun, and provides early coding experiences. It would require too much teacher attention in preschool but Jr/k, K or 1st could handle it. We should purchase at least one game to share.

For students interested in learning programming, coding, etc. I have a class account you can use, or you can create your own.

Country Codes

A great resource to identify First Nation populations by zip code

Here are directions for setting up your blogs and allowing students to keep last year's work. This will enable us to use KidBlog as a multi-year digital portfolio! Yeah!