Instructional Programs

PK-8 Coding and Robotics

This year the district created a PK-8 Coding and Robotics curriculum for our students. While the new curriculum has been piloted in some classrooms, next year (2019-2020) it will be rolled out to all schools. The coding and robotics lessons will be integrated into the science and mathematics content areas. Learning coding is important for students as experimentation builds mastery in sequencing ksill,s counting, problem solving, logical thinking, cause and effect, and critical thinking. Coding and robotics work together as the robot requires code to accomplish tasks. Programming is a complex skill to learn, but when we use physical robots children immediately see what goes wrong with their code as the robots run exactly what was programmed. There are two parts to learning code - syntax and function. Our district emphasizes function for elementary and most middle school students as it teaches the concepts of programming without being frustrated by the syntax. Syntax is line coding, and a misplaced comma, semicolon, or the incorrect case of letter can cause programs with the code. We introduce syntax in 8th grade and continue it through high school.

For more information click here to go to the Coding and Robotics curriculum page.

Intro to Coding Classes

Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, high schools will be offering an "Intro to Coding" class for high school students. This will be part of the Computer Science pathway. This is also an expansion of our Coding and Robotics initiative that we have been expanding this year.