Resources

Stuff that I use in my work

Lesson plans, curriculum ideas, student projects that I use in my classes.

Coding / Programming

A HUGE favorite with all my students and a big favorite with educators because of the large community support. There are many ways to use Scratch in schools and many free resources. This page has links to some of my own Scratch lessons and my favorite Scratch resources

Python

Excellent language to learn in middle school. Used in my Computer Science elective for grades 7 and 8

Processing (using Khan Academy's CS platform)

Processing is the perfect combinations of art and code. In my classes we use a Javascript implementation of this language using Khan Academy's FREE CS platform.

Here are some of my class demos and related examples

Arduino

Physical computing with the open source Arduino is fun!

Some ideas on how to teach young students to build simple circuits on breadboards and program LEDs, buzzers and more using the Arduino IDE.

micro:bit

Used it with Python in my elective classes and using block based coding in 5th grade.

Also used in teacher professional development

Lego WeDo and Scratch

Bringing a lego project to life using Scratch code. Students love this!

Scratch and the Physical world

Other ways to connect Scratch to the Physical world : Makey-Makey, Pico boards, LEAP controller, and even Arduino

ScratchJr - yes you can start them before they can even read! A completely new design of Scratch for very little kids that works on tablets. The touchscreen generation can tap away and learn to be creative using code.

Starlogo Nova : the next step from Scratch to create your own 3D games and simulations. Notes to lessons, bugs, extension activities are included here.

Logo

The original way to get kids to program still works well. Here is a little about use in my class and some student samples.

Bee Bots

Programmable robot for young children. Used in K-5 classes at my school district.

Pro-Bots

Programmable robot with sensors and sub-procedures and online code display. Good tool for teaching programming and robotics

Zycbot

Inspired by Bee-Bot, this is my simple Scratch game to introduce programming concepts. Program Zycbot to get to his spaceship safely.

Programming through art :

A set of my projects that can be done in order as a 6+ week class for any age level. Based on some of my most successful introductory lessons for all age levels.

Art - Digital art - 2D and 3D Design

Inkscape

About this free open source vector graphics tool

and lessons used in my classes

3D (SketchUp)

Easy free 3D tool, used in some of my lessons.

Art Resources

Some important art stuff you should know,

stuff I try to explain to my students

Art and Technology

Wy art and technology are connected, some interesting links

Online creativity tools

some browser based cool art related tools

What does Digital art teach you?

For parents to know what their student learned in my digital art class

Digital Art lessons

Some sample lessons used in my Digital Art program

Digital Art at home

How can you continue doing this at home. What I send to parents at the end of a semester of digital art.

Math

There are so many amazing resources that I have used in my Pre-Algebra class. I will update this list, but here is a start.

Why is Art, Math and Code connected?

(My big idea behind my work)

Art+Math+Programming

Some of my favorite lesson plans

Coding Integration Lessons

Programming through art :

A set of my projects that can be done in order as a 6+ week class for any age level. Based on some of my most successful introductory lessons for all age levels.

Coding in Math Class

Any math class can add a little bit of coding by solving math problems using code. Here is a simple lesson plan with some of my starter Scratch projects. Each project has instructions and hints.