“Everyone should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think”. – Steve Jobs
At Hudson Montessori School we believe that coding is for everyone, and that is why we have incorporated it in our K- 6th Grade programs. Coding is much more than teaching children how to program a computer. It is about teaching critical thinking, (Computational Thinking), perseverance, collaboration and creativity. Coding can also be a great way to visualize language and math in action.
Early December we hosted our 3rd Annual Code Night on December 4 and 5. Code Night provides an opportunity for students to share their computer science skills and explore new activities. The theme of this year’s Code Night was “Computational Thinking”. There were activities to represent each of the four cornerstones – Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction, and Algorithms.
In our Robot Lounge students could program our Droid, MakeBlock robot assembles by the students, Ozobot and Dot and Dash.
In our Internet Cafe families could Explore, Scratch, ScratchJr, App design with Bitsbox and Stop Motion Animation
Our coders also had the opportunity to share what they created with their friends and family through presentations.
In the Classroom
Parts a Computer – Let’s open up a laptop and look inside.
Robotics: After assembling the MakeBlock we programmed it to follow our command.
Unplugged Coding – Kindergarteners learn about everyday algorithms as they help forgetful froggy from the book “Froggy Gets Dressed”.
Peer Review and Presentations: After programming in scratch our coders take pride in presenting to their friends.
Once Upon a Time
Part of our Technology curriculum is showing children the evolution of technology through the ages. This year during Code Night we also hosted an exhibition on the Timeline of Communication. Among some of the exhibits was a hand crank wall phone, a candlestick rotary dial phone a typewriter, a 1940 video camera and a cassette player.While parents took a trip down memory lane students were intrigued by the exhibits and had plenty of questions.
Timeline of Communication
How it Began
In 2014, 50 of our Lower Elementary were introduced to the Hour of Code to mark Computer Science week. During this week students spent two hours exploring Computer Science concepts by doing unplugged and on-screen activities on code.org. They were introduced to the term ‘algorithm’ as they followed step by step instructions to make paper planes. As a Montessori school, we were at first apprehensive about adding screen time to play a game of angry birds to our work cycle. It wasn’t until a few weeks later, that we realized the impression it had made on our students. Students were writing ‘ algorithms’ to make volcano models, twist a friend and make a car model.
Class of 2014 – Create and Algorithm to twist a friend.
Last year our students Grade 3 and 4 students participated in the Continental Math League – Computer Science Section and were regional winners. Sanjana Srivastava and Felix Tinio placed first in the region.