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Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student

The Teacher’s Getting-Started Guide

By: Jane Krauss, Kiki Prottsman

Foreword by Pat Yongpradit of Code.org

Computer science is the backbone of innovation. This is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to know how to integrate coding and computational thinking into their curriculum.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781506341286
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2016
Page Count: 208
Publication date: November 01, 2016

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Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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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

Practical strategies for teaching computational thinking and the beginning steps to introduce coding at any grade level, across disciplines, and during out-of-school time
Instruction-ready lessons and activities for every grade
Specific guidance for designing a learning pathway for elementary, middle, or high school students
Justification for making coding and computer science accessible to all
A glossary with definitions of key computer science terms, a discussion guide with tips for making the most of the book, and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources

Momentum for computer science education is growing as educators and parents realize how fundamental computing has become for the jobs of the future. This book is for educators who see all of their students as creative thinkers and active contributors to tomorrow’s innovations.

“Kiki Prottsman and Jane Krauss have been at the forefront of the rising popularity of computer science and are experts in the issues that the field faces, such as equity and diversity. In this book, they’ve condensed years of research and practitioner experience into an easy to read narrative about what computer science is, why it is important, and how to teach it to a variety of audiences. Their ideas aren’t just good, they are research-based and have been in practice in thousands of classrooms…So to the hundreds and thousands of teachers who are considering, learning, or actively teaching computer science—this book is well worth your time.”
Pat Yongpradit
Chief Academic Officer, Code.org

Author(s)

Jane Krauss

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

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 MakeCode, 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

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 MacNeill, PhD, EdD.

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

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
University of Virginia

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

Other Titles in: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) | Classroom Applications of Technology | 21st Century Learning

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Related Resources

Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.