The presentation of coding using Scratch and Hopscotch on an iPad is here in Prezi format.
http://prezi.com/02vmudxgxt45/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
iPad conference 2014 presentation – Hopscotch
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Monthly Archives: March 2014
OSEE conference presentation
Prezi presentation for the OSEE conference 2014.
http://prezi.com/3mcd7bwdnh7h/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
43 Hopscotch programs – March 30, 2014.
Here’s in one location a list of many of my Hopscotch programs. You can see the programs on any devices and it can of course be downloaded on an iPad with Hopscotch.
1- Waves: http://hop.sc/19oR5xT
2- Keyboards: http://hop.sc/1ky01W3
3- Parts of a plant: http://hop.sc/L6cW3u
4- Moi, j’aime coder: http://hop.sc/1eH3Ylr (written by one of my students)
5- Reflections: http://hop.sc/1psYp1m
6- Square loop: http://hop.sc/1dSCnkW
7- Word art: http://hop.sc/1pt0Scb
8- Malala: http://hop.sc/Qv863w
9- Super stars: http://hop.sc/Qv7T0n
10- Evolution: http://hop.sc/1mR6nDz
11- Eye in the sky: http://hop.sc/MpD0aV
12- Evolution of the telephones: http://hop.sc/Qv7Hhx
13- Loose weight: http://hop.sc/Qv7lrj
14- Hurricane: http://hop.sc/1hsAcE2
15- Tree: http://hop.sc/1ftsN79
16- Algae house: http://hop.sc/JSEb1g
17- Photosynthesis: http://hop.sc/Nfvsbe
18 – Reflection: http://hop.sc/1psYp1m
19 – Myth survey: http://hop.sc/1fWlIPr
20 – Spiral: http://hop.sc/1dSF5a0
21 – Invisible lines: http://hop.sc/1nOJX30
22- French flag: http://hop.sc/1fEGIa4
23 – In situ technology: http://hop.sc/1o1ImoK
24- Japan flag: http://hop.sc/19oR4tO
25- Bee dance: http://hop.sc/JujCc0
26- Square: http://hop.sc/JSD69J
27 – Lipids: http://hop.sc/1fWlRCI
28 – Aquaponics: http://hop.sc/1cNstCM
29 – Photobioreactor: http://hop.sc/1fQVcqO
30 – CO2 calculation: http://hop.sc/1psVnKB
31 – DNA: http://hop.sc/1bXoeEx
32 – Wash your hands: http://hop.sc/NOJOzA
33 – DNA helix: http://hop.sc/1fJfg9j
34 – Inspiration from nature: http://hop.sc/1fWm60s
35 – Homeopathy: http://hop.sc/1mR6sY3
36 – Hearth: http://hop.sc/1pcpow5
37 – What is technology? http://hop.sc/1pcjZFr
38 – Shark fin soup: http://hop.sc/1ibK32m
39 – Carbon atom: http://hop.sc/1fttnBP
40 – Loud stars: http://hop.sc/1hDeMUo
41- Picture about fractions: http://hop.sc/1jDCDED
42- Magic School Bus: http://hop.sc/1c5voFx
43 – Multiplication: http://hop.sc/Qv6VB4
Earth Hour
http://www.earthhour.org/
My students participated in Earth Hour. We decided to have no lights and no computers all afternoon on Friday. We created posters representing Earth Hour that were placed on our bulletin board.
ROM
http://www.rom.on.ca/school_visits/index.php?route=common/home
The ROM has many very interesting exhibits and classrooms for students to see. We saw the ancient Egyptian exhibit on the floors and in the classroom. It is fascinating to see such interesting artefacts and being able to manipulate them in the classroom. After eating, we had the opportunity to visit other exhibits of the museum. I just had to take a picture of the dinosaur.
Watershed on Wheels
https://www.peelregion.ca/conservation/teachgreen/resource.asp?rid=405
This is a nice resource to have environment teachers coming to your classroom and discuss scientific concepts.
Our grade 3 and grade 4 students had the opportunity to learn about the environment today.
The activities are very much hands-on and play-based. Students had the opportunity to learn about producers, herbivores, omnivores and carnivores and see how they affect each other in a game format. After discussion of the game they show furs and animals skulls that students can touch. The format is quite interesting and students enjoyed the activities very much. The format allows different learners to experience or model what it is like to live like an animal in an ecosystem in a different way than reading and talking.
Hopscotch manuals with NearPod
I’ve just launched a Nearpod Presentation, “Moi jaime coder” and I’d like you to join me!
To review this presentation at your own pace, input this PIN: RLVJF on the Student Box or open this link.
I’ve just launched a Nearpod Presentation, “kidsLikeToCode” and I’d like you to join me!
To review this presentation at your own pace, input this PIN: UOINR on the Student Box or open this link.
2014 Earth Day Song with Hopscotch
My students wrote a Hopscotch program to show one idea that could help save the planet Earth. Their work was included in the video with their singing of the song Les enfants de la Terre.
Coding fractions
I looked at this resource today: Eyes on Math. I liked the approach of understanding mathematics visually, using logic, rich questions and a visual representation. It is quite in tune with my many students’ way of learning and also with programming with Hopscotch, since with Hopscotch, the results of coding are very visual.
In the book, there are discussion of fractions and how complex is the concept of fractions since fractions is a relationship between two numbers. 3/4 could mean 3/4 of an area or 3/4 of items in a group. 3/4 of a large circle may not look like the same as 3/4 of a different shape. Questions are: what is similar, what is the same, how are they different. The book provides many ways of discussing fractions.
For the student who has been learning how to code, coding different ways that show a fraction could be a good and interesting assessment after the concept has been taught. Using images that students relate to or like is quite effective.
There are many fractions in the Hopscotch images.
The kite has two squares: one is 1/4 in size than the larger one.
The blue circle is 1/2 in size as the yellow one.
There is half the amount of dancing girls flying the kite as without the kite.
There are 4 stools: 1 tall stool and 3 short stools. 1/4 are tall and 3/4 are short.
There are 8 pieces in the Ferris wheel. 8/8.
There are 3 circles: 1/3 pink, 1/3 yellow, 1/3 blue.
1/4 of the kite looks different from 1/4 of the stools. 1/4 in both cases are not the same size.
Showing visually what students understand about fractions is an effective assessment of their understanding.
Thinking critically, a habit of mind
http://pacificedpress.ca/?p=145
As I am thinking of my next unit of study (social studies) for my grade 3 and 4 students, I am also thinking about the habits of mind I want to give my students. In the article I read by Roland Case, many people value critical thinking but we may not be doing an exemplary job teaching it.
He gives typical attributes of exemplary critical thinkers including: open to new ideas, persist while thinking through a problem, have empathy, question ideas, don’t jump to conclusion, welcome challenges, examine issues from varying perspective, ask questions to probe for more information, test ideas, have extensive general knowledge, recognize arguments that are well supported.
What are the tools we have to teach this?
Two tools we can use involve the use of questions.
1- One strategy consist of developing powerful questions. Students need to understand the difference between “weak” questions and “powerful” questions. What they look like, sound like and being able to use them while analyzing the issues we are discussing.
2- While guiding the students, have the students generate the questions that could be discussed in a test.
While I may not necessarily give a test, having a project that answer those questions would be quite significant.
The book: The Anthology of social studies is quite helpful to assess our current practices and rethink our way of teaching.