Avatars, Algorithmic Thinking, & File Management, Oh My!

Grade 5

Our fifth graders innovators have been busy learning a variety of Google Slides tools to create self made "Digiforms." Remember Color Forms? These digital stickers will be used in other applications when we make comics, stop motion videos and gif files. Check out these beauties below!

After a week of build time we focused on file management and naming conventions, specifically transparent png files which they need to use for Digiforms. We will continue to reinforce and review file types and management throughout this course. 

We are just beginning to learn how to screen record and edit video using a school approved program with the Screencastify extension. We will continue our conversations about data collection, privacy, and using appropriate tools, this time with a focus on installing Chrome extensions. Stay tuned for some epic "How To" videos that our innovators will create next.

I recently discovered that students were installing an extension that let them use fun images for their cursor. Although it looked cool, it seemed to be causing issues with the functionality of their Chromebook. Now that I am aware, I ask them to remove this extension with a conversation about why. The other issue with this particular extension is when they use the custom cursor, it prevents them from seeing the potential in the cursor that comes with the program. That's right, cursors have potential. Do you know why? You will have to ask them about this one.

Grade 6

The sixth graders continue to work on reading and writing algorithms but now we are actually using the computer. After a series of unplugged activities around abstraction & algorithmic thinking and creating our own unique robot language we moved onto musical algorithms, looking specifically at the pros and cons of three musical algorithms. It's all about perspectives after all! As a reminder, an algorithm is a sequential set of instructions to help us perform a task or solve a problem. The example below comes from the curriculum provided by Micro:bit. This year we have a new class set of Micro:ibits thanks to some summer professional development that I was fortunate to attend and provide for other educators. Thank you Infosys Foundation, DESE, CSforMA and CSTA Greater Boston!

Can you see the pros and cons with these different examples?

Currently our sixth grade innovators are coding songs using iRobots RootBot simulator. We kicked this unit off with my version of Name That Tune. Our focus again was writing and executing good algorithms. It is unknown if students knew my song choices or not but If they didn't code it correctly, they likely would not have a chance. Again reinforcing the need to read, write and execute algorithms properly. These song choices vary but typically include childhood songs like "Baby Shark" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I can't give away all my secrets but there are others on my list. After "Name That Tune" students composed a song of their own choosing.

Coding with music is a newer project in our class and another favorite of mine. One, song choices vary based on musical interest and ability level so there was something for everyone! Two, the RootBot simulator has 3 coding levels, visual blocks, blocks with text, and straight up text based language. Both of these options provide a variety of choices in coding and composing music allowing each student a chance to succeed. Click some links below to see if you can name that tune.