More Than an Hour of Code: Tonka Coding & Computer Science Programs Now in Year Three

This week during the international Hour of Code, students everywhere will have the opportunity to learn and practice computer coding. It's not too late to join them! For some, it will be their first time doing so. For students in Minnetonka, this is now the third year that we have a coding program that begins in kindergarten and extends through high school. Last year students coded for 7,843 hours just during the first week of December for the Hour of Code.

The video above gives an overview of our coding and computer science program. A couple story features showcased in it to take note: One, the story of a sixth grade middle school student, Omar, who designed, coded, and is fine tuning his own hall pass application. Along the way he worked with his teacher Michelle Brunik, an older eighth grade student Jacob, and Paul from our technology staff to refine and see things through. Second, middle school students in Lisa Reed's STEM class created their own apps on Droid tablets and then visited a first grade classroom to test out their creations and solicit feedback on their products.

The Minnetonka Framework for Teaching & Learning

It's stories like these that highlight the wide variety of experiences our students have in coding. They continue to use Tynker, Kodable, Code.org, Scratch, Swift Playgrounds, Finch Robots (also featured in the video above), Bee Bots, Lightbots and more. Each of these experiences are part of the Minnetonka Framework for Teaching and Learning, helping students with critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, the use of technology and more. 

Some related posts and videos to learn more about coding in Minnetonka Schools are listed below:

• Video Game Design and Computer Coding at High School

• 7,843 Hours of Coding this Week @TonkaSchools

• Computer Coding Starting in Kindergarten

• Minnetonka Elementary Coding

• Details about the Curriculum and Program

• What's Cool in Our School

• Minnetonka Summer Coding Camp

6,000 Hours of Coding this Week @TonkaSchools

Photo by Jeremy Engebretson

(Updated 12-14-15: Minnetonka students completed 7,843 hours of coding last week, surpassing our goal! Watch local NBC News Story here.)

This week is the annual Hour of Code and Minnetonka K-12 students have set a goal to complete 6,000 hours of coding activities. Elementary Technology Coaches Jeremy Engebretson and Andrea Hoffmann, working with each school site's coding coordinator and media specialist, have organized a buffet of options in addition to the the regular coding curriculum that all K-5 students cover. They have visual charts, like the one pictured on the right at Deephaven Elementary, ready to track students' hours with a running total. Students will add up the time they spend in school, at home, and in after school coding clubs during the week.
 
Students actually spend a lot more time throughout the rest of the school year doing coding activities. A year ago Minnetonka Public Schools implemented the state's first K-5 coding curriculum for all students called Tonka <Codes>. In Kindergarten, students use Bee Bots to learn the basics of programming.  In first grade, students use iPad apps like Kodable and Lightbots are used in second grade. Starting in grade three and continuing through grade five, students are using Tynker software. Additional options are in place at each school with after school clubs, such as Minnetonka Coder Dojo and Raspberry Pi. Some schools are using Kano, Sphero, and Finch Robots.  Check out some videos and links below for more information.

See for yourself!  Watch videos about:
Minnetonka Elementary Coding
Media Coverage on What's Cool in Our School
Minnetonka Summer Coding Camp

More resources can be found here:
Details about the Curriculum and Program

Computer Coding Starting in Kindergarten

 

We know computers are part of everyone's future, and that understanding the basics of programming structure and skills will help today's students be successful in the future.  Last year, many of our students at a number of schools participated in the Hour of Code.  This year, we have expanded the program from an hour introductory activity to a focused, structured plan to introduce all of our students to computer coding through multiple experiences and avenues throughout the year.  

A committee of teachers, parents, students, and administrators worked over the past year and a half to select and develop this curriculum plan. Kindergarten students will be using Bee Bots to learn the basics of programming.  In first grade, students will use iPad apps like Kodable and Lightbots in second grade. Starting in grade three and continuing through grade five, students are using Tynker software, a great program that starts off very visual like a game but teaches students to order and combine Scratch-like blocks to program.  Tynker even lets students view the javascript behind the programs they create with the click of a button.  Another great thing about Tynker is that it offers individual, self-paced lessons for students.  When I was visiting their class, the students in Jennifer Hahn's fifth grade (pictured above) were starting Tynker coding lessons. They were super excited and engaged.  

We're also including additional options for students to explore coding further, such as after school clubs, such as Minnetonka Coder Dojo and Raspberry Pi.  Media Specialist Mary Jane Narog at Clear Springs Elementary has students using Kano and Sphero.  At Groveland and Scenic Heights Elementary Schools, students are using Finch Robots.  Check out some videos and links below for more information.  It will be fun to see what all of these students create! 

See for yourself!  Watch videos about:
Minnetonka Elementary Coding
Media Coverage on What's Cool in Our School
Minnetonka Summer Coding Camp


More resources can be found here:
Details about the Curriculum and Program