Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student: The Teacher's Getting-Started Guide

by Jane Krauss, Kiki Prottsman

Overview

Empower tomorrow’s tech innovators

Our students are avid users and consumers of technology. Isn’t it time that they see themselves as the next technological innovators, too? Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to learn to integrate the basics of computer science into their curriculum. Readers will find

• Strategies and activities for teaching computational thinking and coding inside and outside of school, at any grade level, across disciplines
• Instruction-ready lessons for every grade
• A discussion guide and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506341286
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/02/2016
Edition description:	Teachers G
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jane Krauss is a teacher, author and consultant who does curriculum and program development designed to increase participation of girls and other underrepresented groups in computer science. She will gladly tell you why computational thinking is the fundamental literacy of our technical age!

Jane also writes and offers professional development internationally around the topic of project-based learning with technology. With Suzie Boss, she is coauthor of Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real World Projects in the Digital Age (2nd ed., 2014, ISTE) and Thinking Through Project-Based Learning: Guiding Deeper Inquiry (2013, Corwin).

In her free time, Jane enjoys dabbling in glasswork and mosaics, and keeps fit running and hiking on woodland trails just outside her door in Eugene, Oregon.

Kiki Prottsman is an expert in computer science education and an advocate for equity and inclusion in STEM fields. With over 15 years of experience teaching and developing educational programs, Kiki has made significant contributions to the field of CSEd. She is also an author of several other books on computer science which have been widely praised for their innovative and engaging approach.

Kiki is currently Director of Education for Microsoft Make Code, an organization that works to increase access to computer science in schools across the United States. In this role, she oversees the development of curriculum and resources as well as training programs for teachers. She also builds and manages partnerships with stakeholders worldwide.

Kiki speaks internationally on the subject of computer science. She is known for her engaging and practical approach to teaching and has been recognized with awards such as the Golden Halo Award for Best Education Campaign and Stevie’s Female Innovator of the Year award.

In addition to her work in computer science education, Kiki is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and camping, as well as customizing her 4×4 SUV to look like it belongs in a Marvel movie.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Why This Book? Why Now?
What to Expect
A Note About Preparation
Lights, Camera, Action!
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part 1: Storyboarding
Chapter 1. An Introduction to Computer Science
Computer Science Is Within You
An Introduction to Computational Thinking
What Computer Science Is
What Computer Science Is Not
Chapter 2. Why Kids Should Have the Opportunity to Learn
What Computer Science Really Teaches
A Look Back
It Would Be Irresponsible Not to Introduce Computer Science
Part 2: Casting Call
Chapter 3. Try Your Hand at Coding
Time Well Spent
Key Strategy: Pair Programming
Teacher Warm-ups and Exercises
Chapter 4. Getting Started in the Classroom
Start Low-Tech
Encourage Movement
Foster Critical Consumption
Protect Privacy and Prevent Cyberbullying
Achieve Access
Banish Anxiety
Chapter 5. Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Computer Science
1. DON’T Expect to Be an Expert
2. DO Let Your Class Explore
3. DO Let Your Class Share
4. DO Give Kids Time to Move
5. DO Get Creative
6. DON’T Be a Bore
7. DO Relate Computer Science to Students’ Lives
8. DON’T Expect Cookie-Cutter Results
9. DO Set Students up for Success
10. DO Treat CS as an Art
11. DO Give It a Try
Part 3: In Production
Chapter 6. Activities That Foster Computational Thinking
Thinking Computationally
Digging Deeper Into Computational Thinking
Chapter 7. Decomposition
Decomposition Resources
Lesson Plan: Break It Down!
Decomposition: Break It Up!
Chapter 8. Pattern Recognition (With Pattern Matching)
Pattern Recognition Resources
Lesson Plan: Divine Patterns
Chapter 9. Abstraction
Abstraction Resources
Lesson Plan: So Abstract
Sample Stories
Chapter 10. Automation
Automation Resources
Lesson Plan: Algorithms and Automation— A Compliment Generator
A Last Word on Computational Thinking
What’s Next?
Chapter 11. Activities That Foster Spatial Reasoning
Spatial Abilities Tied to Success in STEM
“Spatialize” Your Teaching
Wrapping It Up
Chapter 12: Making With Code
Making Within STEAM Studies
Design for Design Thinking
“Freestyle” Making
Part 4: Your Feature Presentation
Chapter 13. Designing a Curriculum Continuum Across K–12
Chapter 14. Important Ideas Across All Grades
Pair Programming
Learning to Learn
Resources at the Ready
Equitable Practices
Chapter 15. The Elementary Pathway
Kindergarten and First Grade
Second and Third Grades
Fourth and Fifth Grades
Out-of-School Learning in the Elementary Grades
Elementary Computer Science Resources
Curriculum: Build an Alligator!
Chapter 16. The Middle School Pathway
Out-of-School Time in the Middle Grades
Middle School Computer Science Resources
Curriculum: Create Your Own Fortune
Chapter 17. The High School Pathway
Out-of-School Time in High School
High School Computer Science Resources
Curriculum: Roll the Dice
Chapter 18. Adapting Lessons for Your Class
1. The Lessons Are Only Suggestions
2. Adapt a Lesson for Younger Students
3. Adapt a Lesson for Older Students
4. Create a Lesson to Squeeze Into Other Curricula
Chapter 19. What People Are Doing and How They Are Doing It Well
Taking It to the Streets: Build Community Enthusiasm for Computer Science
Testimonials
Afterword: Opportunities Abound
Discussion Guide
Glossary
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Change in education and schooling comes in waves, and coding, computer science, and computational thinking represent the next very big wave. This very readable book will introduce teachers, parents and students to the future."

Dr Neil Mac Neill

Wondering whether this book is for you? Check out the “dos and don’ts” of Chapter 5 and then take them to heart. I did!

Dr. James Cohoon

This book is so clear and so encouraging. I recommend it to my Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) leaders as we work to incorporate more computer science into our activities. The authors present a comprehensive introduction to computing in a way that’s useful, readable, and fun.

Laura Reasoner Jones

This book will help a lot of educators take their first steps toward bringing high quality programming experiences to their students. It offers clear examples and good strategies supported by research and best practices.

Sylvia Martinez

"Change in education and schooling comes in waves, and coding, computer science, and computational thinking represent the next very big wave. This very readable book will introduce teachers, parents and students to the future."

Dr Neil MacNeill