It's the most wonderful time of the year! A week-long, world-wide celebration! Opportunity for adventure for all ages!

Hmmm, I get the impression we may not be thinking of the same things. I am thinking of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), or as it is more well know, the Hour of Code! CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (Dec. 9, 1906). Admiral Hopper is known for popularizing the idea of machine-independent programming languages, which led to the development of the programming languages we have today. A programming language is what a computer reads to execute all of its functions. Coding is the process of writing that language out in organized patterns for computers to read. Think of English as a programming language and writing as coding. Humans are the computer that reads the code in the the English language.

This is a little bit confusing, why are you telling me this???

Next week, December 3rd through 7th is this year's CSEdWeek or Hour of Code. The goal of the Hour of Code is to have everyone participate in an hour of coding to become familiar with what it is and maybe even spur interest in some people to pursue computer science in school or a career in coding. While most of us are not in line for this type of career change, we are all educators and are in the unique position to open our students' eyes to computer science through the Hour of Code. As our students grow, they will be faced with a world where computer systems are embedded even more in their daily lives. So no matter what their career path may take, having an understanding coding will be a huge benefit to them. Coding helps students develop skills like perseverance, stamina, creativity, and imagination as they address problems, build on the ideas of others, and even develop their own, unique ideas.

So what are we doing in WPS for the Hour of Code?!?

We'll be continuing the tradition of having each Technology Class during the week of 12/3 through 12/7 be focused on coding to give each student K-6 just about an hour of coding. This year we are extending the Hour of Code throughout the district with some initiatives, assemblies, and learning experiences that will give students an opportunity to explore coding like they may not have before. We are very fortunate to have two Google employees as parents of students in our schools and they will be leading some great assemblies and experiences. They will be leading these assemblies for students in grade 2 through grade 6. Students in grades 3 through 6 will have the opportunity to learn about the App creation process at Google and will be guided through the process as they brainstorm potential apps they may want to create. This is sure to be an inspirational time that will lead into further exploration in Technology Class. Students in grade 2 will be taken on a virtual adventure to some of the habitats they will be studying in their upcoming habitats unit. The assembly times and locations are below.