Belle Heth Elementary strives to integrate Computer Science standards into the core curriculum and make them a regular part of a students day.
Computer science builds upon the concepts of computer literacy, educational technology, digital citizenship, and information technology. The differences and relationship with computer science are described below.
Computer Science is modeled, labeled and discussed on a regular basis as part of a student's day. Students use tablets, robots, and chromebooks to enhance learning and practice skills. The school participates in the Hour of Code every December with both plugged and unplugged lessons. Project Lead the Way- Launch is an integrated curriculum in which students take a deeper look at computer science. Student learn to code programs in Scratch. PLTW- Launch leads student in practicing critical and creative thinking while collaborating and communicating with a partner through three activities, and a project that prepare them to solve a final problem.
In third through sixth grades, all students are taught computer science lessons from each strand: Digital Citizenship, Data and Anaylsis, Cybersecurity, Computing Systems, Algorithms and Programming, and Impacts of Computing. The lessons integrate computer science into other subjects to show the real life relevance of these strands. The classroom teachers also integrate computer science SOLs in their lessons.
Specifically each grade level has a progression of skills learned.
In third grade, students learn in the PLTW module: "Programming Patterns", how to code a Choose Your Own Ending story using the Scratch platform. This integrate story writing and coding.
In fourth grade, students learn how the computer is like a human brain in that it inputs, stores, processes and outputs information. The "Input/Output: Computing Systems" PLTW module is a companion module to the Biomedical PLTW module: "Input/Output Human Brain". Using the platform of Scratch, students create a clicker game that could be played by other students.
In fifth grade, students follow up their Biomedical PLTW module: "Infection: Detection" with the Computer Science module: "Infection: Modeling and Simulation". They use the Scratch platform to code a computer simulator that is similar to what a scientists use to see the spread of viruses without harming humans.
In sixth grade, students learn coding through the use of a PLTW module: Robotics and Automation. They build and code VEX robots to complete tasks.
Parent Resources for Cyber-Bullying
Monitor what your students do online
Remember students must be honest about their ages on social media (Children younger than 13 should have NO social media accounts.)
Have screen free time at your home