#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
Marc Hodgkinson, Instructional Coach - London, Ontario
I'm off to hockey in about 30 minutes, but I'll stay as long as I can. I'm keen to up my primary coding game. #2ndChat
I'm a Digital Learning Coach in my second year. I'm familiar with block coding but would describe myself as a newbie - especially with K-2 students! #2ndchat
Hi #2ndchat! I'm an Elementary Tech coach from Tuscaloosa! When it comes to coding, I feel like I'm still a novice, but I know a tiny bit about algorithms.
A2: I will quote @mraspinall#codebreaker with favourite quotes: "The biggiest challenges & problems in life that our Ss face won't be solved by an app. But the way they learn to think while they use emerging technolgoies can help them find solutions".#2ndChat
A2 It's engaging, hands on, and highly collaborative. Plus it paves the way for javascript or other coding languages for Ss who want to explore them when they get older #2ndchat
A2: There are major benefits in showing kids that a concept like coding applies to our every day lives. Function=daily skills like knowing all the steps to accomplish when someone says "Brush your teeth." Algorithm is a process like a recipe for making a sandwich. #2ndchat
A2: There are major benefits in showing kids that a concept like coding applies to our every day lives. Function=daily skills like knowing all the steps to accomplish when someone says "Brush your teeth." Algorithm is a process like a recipe for making a sandwich. #2ndchat
#2ndChat very interested to see how people use it more with primary learners in French- I teach French immersion and most coding I find is in English. I assume because itβs the universal language? Has anyone found good French apps/websites?
A2: I find that it is a great place for them to practice learning from failure, iteration, and problem solving. It seems safer to them to work on those things within a coding program. #2ndchat
A2: It's been said that 1/2 the jobs of the future will involve programming/coding - students should be learning about/have exposure it so they won't be afraid of it! #2ndchat
#2ndChat A2 Benefits of coding seem endless. Critical thinking and working w/ peers are my favorite reasons. Everyone is engaged and learning. I love when they know more than me and are the 'teachers!'
Q2 Benefits are the Ss are building foundational CS/Coding skills, learning problem solving, critical thinking skills that will be beneficial throughout life. #2ndChat
A2- much their learning is through experience and need concrete examples, procedures, routine. I also think coding reaches a wide variety of learners. Itβs cross curricular to ela math etc. they are learning the rules of the game anyways why not make it fun. Plus robots #2ndchat
Q2- using problem solving skills. I saw it today using the hour of code dance activity. My Ss @cassidypilutti were figuring out why the second dancer wasnβt moving! #2ndChat
A3 I've started with unplugged activities at the beginning to focus on some basic concepts and then apply those concepts to work on a Chromebook, etc. #2ndchat
A3: In all subject areas (i.e. in Science Code a program in @scratch to show how a plant grows, Math to demonstrate understanding of grid movement) #2ndChat, Media make a video or game that shows understanding of virtue of kindness
A3) GREAT QUESTION! Coding is perfect as a tool for learning. Not as an isolated event. What can we learn about geometry, science and even LA? #2ndChat
Q3: In my role (Gr.1-3 Media Lit/Tech Teacher) coding as been an introduction to technology for many of my students, so working on the language and math behind coding has been the starting point. #2ndChat
A3: Ozobots for navigating around alphabet letters or a number line with whole numbers or fractions. Beebot to navigate through a grid to letters, landmarks, story retelling. Unplugged coding activities based on skills we are being covered. #2ndchat
A3: I've had plenty of opportunities with the older grades (4 up) where I feel comfortable & have experience. I've tried @lightbotcom with primary classes & tried some @scratch with Gr 1 - 3. I only feel I had limited success - but they loved it! #2ndChat
Love talking with students about creating Algorithms when coding, and love the connections they make to other areas of the curriculum. #2ndchat@Dale_Chu
I only know this bc as my kids explore, many of them change their languages to Russian and German and then I have to figure out how to change it back!π #2ndchat
A3: Coding has been integrated as a choice board activity posted in Google Classroom and as S.T.E.A.M. activity with Ozobots & Sphero Robots. In addition added board games to introduce basics #2ndChat
I have started to explore them, but mainly to build characters. Have only dabbled in video games design a little. Bloxels will be a centre for December :) #2ndChat
I have a librarian that loves to use them. They have a paper that you can have students sketch out what they want to build and then work to use the blocks to create. #2ndchat
A4 Unplugged are great bc Ss can focus more on the language and concepts of coding. Sometimes they can be overwhelmed/distracted by the tech part of it if jumped into right away #2ndchat
Q4 Unplugged activities are great esp for collaboration. Always start w/getting me from place to place, I've also used several from @codeorg Ss fav is making paper airplanes! #2ndChat
A4 Unplugged activity- code a lego character from one point to another with code written on a whiteboard- things can be easily debugged if needed #2ndchat
The students can write a story and then code or draw lines for their robots. They come with skins often now and props. My own kids made little costumes for them. #2ndchat
A4: lots of 2nd graders have never been exposed to coding, so unplugged activities are definitely important for them to understand the basics of programming and how it works. #2ndchat
A4: Unplugged activities are life. A true test of a growth mindset and collaboration. The most favorite activity we did was with exercise moves. WE developed symbols for exercises. Ss worked to create a exercise program/algorithm. Students created exercise movies. #2ndchat
We also have a Dash & Sphero - Of course - looking for ways to make this "not something more" for my teachers, but something they see as valuable. #2ndchat (But first I feel it's important that I have some basic workings of things).
Unplugged activities allow students to make the connection that coding is a form of communication. I did this fun activity with my kids: https://t.co/qGVsHHYf6k#2ndChat
A5 I would start with some simple unplugged activities just to get some basic concepts first before worrying about plugging things in, lighting, etc. Then https://t.co/Yb4rwiRwI0 is a great way to step into tech #2ndchat
A5: I think Ts need time to play and explore with new #coding equipement and tools. I like starting unplugged with younger Ss for sure. #2ndChat Lots of new learning here for everyone and everyday there is a new #coding toy out there.
Yes! It is amazing how much your students will teach you along the way. It turns out being a room full of leaders, where each student has a different skill that they can teach the rest. #2ndChat
This is awesome! I love how there is an opportunity for students to decide how to code the Ozobot...basic template but gives students a choice! #2ndchat Thanks for sharing!
A5: Also when starting out with a robot or a new platform I find using a set of code that is already created and exploring that is a great way to see the inner workings #2ndChat
Ohhhh - I hadn't realized there were board games...great find! Thanks for sharing! Choice boards are so great for kids - allows them the opportunity to have a say in what they do. #2ndchat
Love that coding doesn't actually have to start with anything on the computer. I think a lot of teachers would "buy into" some unplugged type lessons as they seem less scary. #2ndchat
A6: Challenge of implementing coding I think is fear (teacher) and to overcome that you need to dive in and play. Start on your own and then learn with your students. #2ndChat
A6: Start simple, helping Ss understand the importance of direct explicit instruction. I love just having them code/direct me from one area of the classroom to another or around a desk. Interesting how many times I bump into things. They love it! #2ndchat
A6: As @TechVolak2 alluded to budge and equity are issues. Minset for sure of Ts. Fear of #coding. I would suggest being resourceful and having an open mindset and looking for grants where possible #2ndChat
A6 I think the biggest challenge is T don't really know coding. I've learned a lot along with my Ss and I'm honest with them that I don't know everything! #2ndChat
I'm always learning everyday from Ss! I love it! I explain #coding as a literacy or languages to learn. Like musical composition or a language. I feel that make it more approachable for Ts. #2ndchat
A6: I also think too many subjects are taught in isolation so teachers think- I cannot teach 1 more thing! We need to integrate subjects to create more meaning! #2ndchat
We encourage the students to look at the "lines of code" written when they are doing the https://t.co/OEmS85tjLN activities, but sometimes they are unimpressed...hmm.lol #2ndchat
A6: Also introduce them to the history of computers: so many important lessons (grit) women in science... Feel free to usehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yr5K4PlkopL-sZm212pgjYSThzzVHMvnJJ9P8Ye1uSs/template/preview #2ndchat
Last Question of the night with 5 minutes to go: Any last minute comments? @mraspinall Where has the hour gone! #seriously I could talk #coding for another hour! #2ndChat
A6: Start simple, helping Ss understand the importance of direct explicit instruction. I love just having them code/direct me from one area of the classroom to another or around a desk. Interesting how many times I bump into things. They love it! #2ndchat
A6: Also introduce them to the history of computers: so many important lessons (grit) women in science... Feel free to use https://t.co/s2LrIxpGsB#2ndchat
