Yes, Littles Can Code-
This week, I began my Scratch Jr lessons with my kindergarten and first grade scholars. I am consistently amazed by what my young learners can do. The excitement was visible as I rolled the iPad cart into each classroom this week. for our Under The Sea lessons. In library this week, students read the story, "The Rainbow Fish" and then in technology classes, my first graders created an underwater scene in Scratch Jr with a rainbow fish; while my kindergarten students focused on just making the rainbow fish in an underwater background. They did such an amazing job and I loved watching their creativity soar. Many times, we limit our youngest learners, thinking that they can't do things like coding- but they can. This week's blog post is dedicated to all kinds of things that littles can do too!
Plus, Littles Can Design -
During last week's partner activities in Wixie, my kindergarten and first grade students became graphic designers. After reading "Gruffalo" in library, they created pattern block monsters using the design features in Wixie. Once again, my young scholars amazed me with their creativity. They quickly discovered all of the image options such as filters, color, opacity, etc and truly became makers as they worked. They were all so excited to show off their "scary" monsters and I was so proud of their work.
Not to mention, littles can collaborate-
During the first quarter, I tried using Pear Deck's Flashcard Factory with my first grade students to practice their addition and subtraction facts up to 10. They loved it and did such a great job illustrating these basic facts. So when my kindergarten teachers shared that they were working on facts that added to 10 or decomposed from 10, I asked them if they were up for a challenge- they agreed and I suggested using Flashcard Factory with them. Like coding, this was my first time trying this with kinders. Students worked in teams- one student, the artist, illustrated how to solve the problem, while the other one , the detective, wrote the answer to the problem. So far, I have done this with two classes and they are rocking it!
Finally, littles can use Desmos!
Today, I added another tool to my Littles toolbox. One of my first grade classes used Desmos' Telling Time activity today. They used the Activity Buiilder's features to match digital and analog clocks, draw clock hands and more. A lot of times, we think that programs like Desmos are just for older students- but they are not. Don't be afraid to try new things with your littles .
In fact, I am super excited to be presenting this and so much more at the PBS NC Early Education Summit on June 18th. This conference held in Charlotte, NC is FREE and even has a virtual option with prerecorded sessions. To find about more and register, click here. Definitely check this out if you are near Charlotte and if you are not, check out the virtual option.
Want even more ideas to get your littles creating, a week from today is not only my birthday, but my book's birthday. All this month, TRANSFORM-Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky is on sale on Amazon and Road to Awesome's site for just $18.99. Plus, next Friday, be on the lookout for birthday celebration information!
#CreatingwithLittles is an awesome experience- take a leap and try it- need help along the way, I am just a DM or email away!
