Coding is a critical skill that is being pushed more and more in public schools. I teach a weekly coding class during our Targeted Intervention and Enrichment period. I have both 6th and 7th graders, twice a week per class. We use a variety of coding platforms to code, including Code.org, Code Combat, Scratch 3.0, a variety of robots and more. However, once in a while we just need to unplug and do an activity that doesn't require a screen. Enter Binary Bracelets! I pulled this lesson directly from Code.org. The materials are simple: chenille stems, pony beads, and a copy of the Binary Bracelet Code displayed and/or copied for students. I'd also recommend paper plates for students to sort and store beads while they work so they aren't all over the floor. Yes, that is the voice of experience speaking. For the bracelets, students will need to select 3 colors: a color to represent 0, a color to represent 1, and a color to act as a "spacer" to tell each letter apart. First, we reviewed the difference between an algorithm and a code. We explored the idea of binary code, which is "a coding system using the binary digits 0 and 1 to represent a letter, digit, or other character in a computer or other electronic device." I provided them with the materials, and they were off and "coding" the initials of their name onto their bracelets! To my utter delight, they were excited to work on this project! Even better, they seemed to really understand how to make the bracelets! As a middle school teacher, you never know how students will react to a lesson. This one was a hit! Here are some shots of their finished bracelets. I was so proud of them and their hard work!
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Sphero SPRK+ robots are not new to my blog... I have blogged about using them in class (and in summer school!) before. My students love them. This year I wanted to try a new approach to coding them. Thanks to inspiration from other blogs and the Sphero website, my students and I did a Sphero Mini-Golf Challenge! The goal was simple - design and build a golf course, then code your Sphero to get to the hole in the least number of movements possible. The kids had an absolute blast coming up with their golf course designs. They each had to select a theme and "hazards" that went with the theme. For example, one team created a beach theme and they created palm trees and surf boards to go with their project: This project was fantastic - it hit all the components of the engineering and design process that we've been working through, and it really stretched their coding skills! Once everyone created their mini golf course, we had one whole class period where everyone circulated around and played golf on each others' designed courses. They even kept score using these golf score cards, created by Sphero... It was amazing, and engaging! Disclaimer: I have a LOT of Spheros... we have 15 here at SPMS, due to generous donors on DonorsChoose.org. We are also a 1:1 iPad school, so my students could work in partner pairs. For this project, I would recommend groups of 4 or less to allow everyone to design, build, and code. Check out this groups' success with coding... this was a tough project, but they did it! How would you integrate Sphero Robots into your instruction? Comment below and let me know!
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About the AuthorHi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Christine Hurley. This is my 17th year of teaching - I've taught Kindergarten, 4th grade, elementary media, and now I am in my 6th year of teaching middle school media! Archives
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