Description: In Computer Science at Gibbs, students gain a full range of skills and knowledge sets that will provide them with real world knowledge and be competitive for the 21st century through STEAM based projects. Students will gain digital literacy skills through creating a video project and stop motion project. Also, students will gain skills in Javascript block-based coding through designing an app as well as various Scratch Coding projects. Next, students will create digital art while learning concepts, such as Binary and creating mosaics through emojis. Students will also gain real world application knowledge of how Computer Science is applied in the music and video game industries. Finally, students will learn all about Artificial Intelligence concepts.
Duration: Quarter everyday (45 days)
Required/Elective: Required for sixth-grade students
Description: Seventh-grade computer science extends previous learning in Scratch by making more sophisticated animations and musical compositions. The course also introduces file management along with a digital ePortfolio and learning journal to showcase their learning. Students also create a variety of images while learning about Google Slides and different file types.
Duration: One semester every other day
Required/Elective: This class is elective. All interested students are welcome, whether or not they have completed previous computer science classes or have other computer science experience. Students can register for this class at the end of sixth grade.
Description: In eighth-grade, computer science students continue their work with file organization and the building of their own customized ePortfolio and learning journal. Students are introduced to the text-based coding language Python through a variety of tools. In addition, students will practice writing pseudocode as they design and program simple apps with App Inventor.
Duration: One semester every other day
Required/Elective: This class is elective. All interested students are welcome, whether or not they have completed previous computer science classes or have other computer science experience. Students can register for this class at the end of seventh grade.
Topics, grading, schedules, and homework
Additional information about each class is available in its Google Classroom. Links to Google Classroom are distributed to enrolled students and parents when classes begin.
Technology and Engineering
The middle school also offers Technology and Engineering, a class that prepares students for the Science and Technology MCAS test. For more information, see https://sites.google.com/a/arlington.k12.ma.us/ottoson_middle_school/departments/technology-and-engineering.