Category: 4th Grade Coding/Programming

Swift Playgrounds

Swift is a programming language similar to java and is developed by Apple. Swift Playgrounds is a program that teachers intermediate level student programmers how to code. It takes students step by step and is a great alternative to “Hour of Code” lessons sponsored by Code.org and others.

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Code.org

Code.org is a free online platform that teaches students of all ages how to code at their own comfort level.  Younger students can progress through different challenges using block-based coding, similar to what they will use when working with Scratch Jr.  The early lessons also let them click on the speaker icon to hear directions rather than rely on being able to read them, should they still be an emergent reader. Our oldest students will also be plenty challenged as they are given personalized lessons that suit their level of programming experience.

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Intro levels
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Beginner levels

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Intermediate levels
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Java instruction
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Fantasy Map Generator

This is a map making resource where students can create their own fantasy world. It is one way to incorporate coding into a project where you want students to create a utopia/distopia and establish a government or teach about the flow of a planet’s resources. However, students can also just edit within the map and options menus without coding if it makes more sense for your lesson. To take it a step further, students can first generate and re-name a map here, and then import it into another mapping program to mark up, or even beyond that, bring it into coSpaces to get a “virtual view”.
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Click HERE for a few additional helpful resources you can adapt from a project some of our students used to create their own.
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CoSpaces

CoSpaces could actually live anywhere on this menu as it is more a platform whereScreen Shot 2018-08-07 at 10.32.32 PM can create a 3-D world embedding any content they wish. One particularly powerful possibility is having students create a virtual museum, either collectively or individually.
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Students wishing to code may do so as it can use drag and drop for the non-coder, block-based coding for the novice coder, and java for the advanced coder. As a cherry on top, students can explore their world, museum, etc… using a virtual reality headset. 
 
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