Spinner of Tales is a blog of stories from my memories, shared with those who wish to hear/read.
Day 1: Coding
Coding is something that is pretty big! It takes some people years to learn how to code, there are literally college degrees in how to write and use code. But there are also others who are learning and utilizing code to create everyday things like small movements on their computer, to writing the code to computer programs that mom and dad use, to writing code for a whole video game. It is the newest language and growing fast.
Watch the following video about an 11-year-old talking about code in his own way of understanding what he does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOsdfRbrNdk
Let’s stop and think
Writing Assignment:
Tell me something that you remember from the video?
Do you have questions about coding that he did not explain?
Did the video make you more or less interested in learning how to code?
Let’s try it
First, let’s try the foremost code understanding site
Lets complete one task on this site. Then we will try some of the other options we heard about on the video.
Next:
Let’s try this one and see what else we can learn
Another site he mentioned was:
Let’s take a break for lunch
A little rest time
Watch the following story
We will end today with art.
We can either draw a picture of what you would like to code, maybe the cover picture or an action scene from within.
Or you can build something from your imagination today with legos.
Useful Resources
So often when we are trying to work from home we just need to have the children doing something while you are doing something. There are already some great useful sites out there that will support your child’s learning and you being on a phone call.
KhanAcademy.org This site provides math support and lessons that can be geared to grade level. It even has interactive work. My daughter often uses it when she is trying to understand her homework sometimes. The amazing thing about Khan Academy is it also provides prep for other tests, like SATs, PSATs, APs, etc. While most of us only think of the site as being math, they are expanding.
For little kids we often try to keep them off of youtube. I know I have set my kids up to watch something, and the next thing they are watching something entirely different. www.storylineonline.com it a great resource for little kids to have stories read to them, and done by actors. I will admit that some of the actors are more known to the parents than the children. But Betty White put one up a few days ago and I am excited to watch her story.
You can also utilize your local PBS stations. Their tv station runs shows during the day that are educational in purpose. However, I know the idea of them just sitting in front of the TV is not what we think of when we think of schools. But PBS also has a website with some interactive, educational intent games and programs.
Our older children are harder sometimes to support. Khan Academy does help with math and some other subjects for the middle and high school level children. As an English teacher, I recommend reading with these children. It does not have to be with them, but having them read. While our local libraries are closed, many are using apps like Overdrive and Libby (which is supported by Overdrive) for ebooks. Both of these apps have read and audio books that you borrow from your local library. You will need a library card. If you don’t, see if your local library website has support for this during this time. Another option is Openlibrary and Read.gov
I found this link with a list of interesting short stories for middle school students, with links to the stories with questions attached. https://www.weareteachers.com/best-short-stories-for-middle-schoolers/ At the bottom of the page also has links to additional lists of short stories.
I hope these help you with somewhere for your kids to go find reading and other educational supports.