Digital Learning News

Kindergarten and Grade 1 students extended their learning with Blue Bots in an activity featuring the planets in our solar system. After brainstorming what they already knew about the planets, we listened to the Story Bots Planet Song. After clarifying some of our prior knowledge, the students were ready to take their Blue Bots on a journey to another planet. They took turns in their group deciding which planet they would like their Blue Bot to visit and entered the program to complete the journey. If they were not successful, they discussed what their "bugs" were and made another attempt when it was again their turn.

Beginning with the catchy Flowcabulary Conditional rap song, the intermediate grades explored conditional statements in programming. We practiced the concept of conditional statements in two different versions of a card game, the latter version adding an added conditional level. Tying conditional statements to coding, we explored what this looks like in Code.org.

In June, we will be working on pair programming in Code.org. After learning about conditional statements, upper grade students will be able to create their own conditional statements. Grades 2-4 will work on loops, which we learned earlier in the year, as well as etiquette required in pair programming.

Botley is the newest addition to our family of robots. Students will use the programming they learned in working with the Blue Bots and the earlier Ozobots to program Botley. This cute robot has additional functions as well, including object detection.

Email: glazee@monroe.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/departments/digital-learning
Location: Salem Woods Elementary and Chain Lake Elementary
Phone: (360) 360-3130
Twitter: @BethGlazeSEA