McHarg Elementary strives to integrate Computer Science standards into the core curriculum and make them a regular part of a students day as much as possible.
Computer science builds upon the concepts of computer literacy, educational technology, digital citizenship, and information technology.
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 November/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 ScratchJr. PLTW- Launch leads students 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.
Kindergarteners experiences Animals and Algorithms in which they learn about animal habits and learn to write an algorithm to get an animal to move in its habitat and find food.
First graders expand their CS knowledge with "Animated Storytelling." They use storyboards to plan an animation from their research of an animal's habitat, food source and predators. They record their story and present it on their Seesaw Digital Journal.
Second graders improve their knowledge with a deeper look at computer science around us . They increase their coding skills in ScratchJr to create their own video game. Students use Seesaw to demonstrate to families how the game works. Students also enjoy playing each others games.
Computer Science includes cybersecurity. Students participate in lessons during their Tinker Tank time to identify what information is safe to share online and what is not. Students also learn to identify safe websites and follow the expectations to only visit websites that are approved by the grownups in their lives. Students are encouraged to always check with their safe adults before downloading or spending time on a website.
Social Media is creeping into younger and younger student's lives. We use the commenting feature in Seesaw Digital Journal. This is an opportunity for students to practice making kind, helpful and encouraging comments.
RCPS has partnered with Radford University's School of Computing and Information Sciences to create integrated lessons about cyber security and safe internet usage. These lesson are often completed in the Tinker Tank. RCPS also created lessons through a grant Advancing Computer Science Education that addresses each of the computer science strands identifies by the VDOE.
An algorithm is a list of steps that you do in order. It is a founding block of computer science but algorithms are in our lives everyday. Talk about things that must happen in a sequence such as getting dressed or brushing your teeth. Also, the use of specific language is important to writing code and it is easier if there is some practice with it orally first. Have your child give you directions to complete a simple task and do it EXACTLY as they tell you. Usually this is funny as they realize how specific they need to be. Help them make a connection to this to directions for games or toys.
Cyber Security is an important part of educating any student using a computer or tablet. Monitoring what your child is doing at all times is imperative to keeping them safe.
Please supervise young students around social media. Be aware of a young child's exposure if older siblings are on social media.