Grade Level Resources

STAND ALONE or EMBEDDED?

Best practice would suggest that Computer Science instruction be delivered using BOTH stand alone AND embedded methods. Teachers, however, need time and training to develop lessons within existing units that embed Computer Science Standards, as well as to create lessons in a stand alone format. East Union has endeavored to provide both venues of instruction.

Initial Plans

During the first two years of the project, Computer Science was scheduled to be taught as a stand-alone discipline for fourth and fifth grade students. This, however, did not preclude teachers from developing projects or activities that include coding or college and career connections. Since East Union Elementary learners have already used digital tools such as Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets and many online resources for research and instructional tools for a number of years, digital citizenship would naturally be integrated and applied as students completed Core subject area assignments, assessments, or other activities.

During the third year, it was originally intended that all teachers would be expected to integrate at least two coding projects or lessons into existing Core Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies units. These projects would be assessed using standards-referenced grading tools. Professional development would be provided, and time would be allotted during contracted professional development days for teachers to work collaboratively to select or create coding projects. This plan has changed somewhat. The Computer Science teacher is actually directly teaching Computer Science lessons every other week to each TK-3 classroom, so that all students receive CS instruction. Teachers are expected to remain in the classroom during this time to observe and assist, thus experiencing embedded professional development. The CS teacher also writes a CS lesson plan with suggested resources for teachers to apply on alternating weeks when the CS teacher does not provide direct instruction.

At this time, part of the sustainability of the program involves providing time for all teachers to develop those lessons or projects that integrate CS standards. This will come during the 2022-2023 school year, and will also be one goal associated with the work of the Grading Practices Team.

Expansion

In the original award application, it was noted that “Flexibility must be allowed for Year Two plans to unfold, pending the course of the Year One pilot.” No one could have foreseen the course that the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years would take! Even with the extended closure during the spring of 2020, the school was able to provide optional Computer Science instruction through its Eagle E-Learning website. It was hoped that integrated unit and lesson plans would be developed for Year Two, but this goal would not be met until Year Three and is currently still being addressed.

Now, during the 2021-2022 school year, the Computer Science teacher continues to enact daily Computer Science instruction for all fourth and fifth grade students. This teacher also serves as a TLC Teacher Leader for all staff members, with emphasis on coaching the integration of Computer Science. For the lower grades, this same teacher delivers weekly direct instruction on coding and digital citizenship to students in grades TK-3. Forty minutes each week are designated for Computer Science instruction for lower elementary learners, with fourth and fifth grade mentors present to coach young mentees. The curriculum with unit plans has been developed, resources have been purchased, and time for collaborative lesson planning is provided during contracted professional development days.

The daily fourth and fifth grade Computer Science course will be continuously refined so that projects completed during Computer Science can be integrated with Core instruction in other subject areas. Grade level team collaboration is an established practice for East Union Elementary, and release time is already available for this purpose. The teacher responsible for departmentalized Computer Science instruction would be able to plan activities and projects that measure mastery of Core Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics standards in collaboration with the fourth and fifth grade teacher teams. These projects will be assessed using standards-referenced grading tools; this goal will be addressed for the 2022-2023 school year.

Future Plans

The Computer Science Team will continue to enact training on coding and digital citizenship for the entire staff during contracted professional development days. All teachers will be afforded the opportunity to attend workshops, conferences, or complete coursework associated with Computer Science instruction, with compensation, pending acquisition of Iowa Department of Education Curriculum and PD Computer Science funding. The Computer Science Team will continue to be provided with one day per quarter to evaluate the effectiveness of the Computer Science program, refine curriculum (including activities and assessments that integrate coding with Core subject areas), and plan professional development for the staff.

Teachers’ learning opportunities combined with time spent refining a high-quality, carefully mapped curriculum will establish a momentum that will carry the Computer Science initiative beyond June of 2022. Computer Science instruction and learning is now the new “norm” at East Union Elementary!