It's Elementary
Insert some simple CS tools to engage your students
Insert some simple CS tools to engage your students
Links of Interest:
CSforMA: https://www.csforma.org/
InfoSys Classes: https://pathfinders.onwingspan.com/
Conductive vs. non-conductive playdough (from V. Ardouin) : https://squishycircuits.com/pages/dough-recipes
Information from NJ Rees, DESE
Updated DLCS website with specific information on implementation resources, research, advocacy, and high quality instruction materials. In addition, we compiled district-reported data into an online DLCS coursetaking report to help you evaluate local participation. As we work on expanding access to computer science education across Massachusetts, I would like to invite your district leaders (building administrators, coaches, curriculum managers, etc) to join our DLCS District Leader Network. We hold in-person events as well as virtual meetings. They can register for free online to receive event invitations and related materials.
Anyone is welcome to sign up for our STEM newsletter, where we share information about grants and other opportunities.
Sign up for CSTA Western Mass, which is a totally free professional organization for computer science teachers (including elementary teachers).
Upcoming virtual Exploring Scratch and AI Event on THIS Thursday 11/9,
Sewable Electronics Workshop, which is in person on Sunday 12/10 in Turners Falls.
Microsoft has a program supporting computer science in schools called TEALs. More info: Bring Computer Science Classes to Your High School | TEALS (microsoft.com). Michael English, michaele@tealsk12.org, works with all the schools in New England, and is interested in collaborating with Western Mass districts. If you reach out to him, you can say you heard about it from CSTA Western Mass.
Jenn Sauriol and Meto Raha are offering a 2-day course, "Enhancing Grade Level Math and Science Instruction for All Through a Multilingual Lens." The goal is for all students learn through curriculum and instruction that aligns with Massachusetts curriculum frameworks at or above their grade level, connects to their identities, and utilizes evidence-based practices. If you are interested, you need to organize a minimum of 25 participants (ideally 80% from Math/Science; 20% from ESL). Participants can receive 15 PDPs that satisfy recertification expectations for SEI. You would be responsible for providing the venue and recruiting, subject to Jenn and Meto’s availability. You can contact them directly at jennifer.l.sauriol@mass.gov and meto.raha@mass.gov if you’re interested in organizing this and say you heard about it from NJ Rees.
There are Computer Science websites in multiple languages: Scratch, Code.org, and CS First. Some computer science books in multiple languages are Hello Ruby, Adventures of Ara, and The Wild Robot.
PiLa-CS has resources for multilingual learners, including Spanish/English Bilingual sentence starters for pair programming and a poster of translated Scratch blocks in multiple languages.
If anyone is interested in a deeper discussion about how DESE can support DLCS education in your district, I would be happy to schedule time to meet with you and your curriculum team. Feel free to reach out at nj.rees@mass.gov any time.
Acknowledgements:
Kristin Bergeron, Library/DLCS Teacher, North Falmouth Elementary
Deborah Boisvert, Executive Director CSforMA, Inc.
Melissa Zeitz, DLCS Teacher, Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori School