Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student: The Teacher’s Getting-Started Guide

Empower tomorrow’s tech innovators Our students are avid users and consumers of technology. Isn’t it time that they see themselves as the next technological innovators, too?  Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to learn to integrate the basics of computer science into their curriculum. Readers will find  Practical strategies for teaching computational thinking and the beginning steps to introduce coding at any grade level, across disciplines, and during out-of-school time Instruction-ready lessons and activities for every grade Specific guidance for designing a learning pathway for elementary, middle, or high school students Justification for making coding and computer science accessible to all A glossary with definitions of key computer science terms, a discussion guide with tips for making the most of the book,  and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources  Momentum for computer science education is growing as educators and parents realize how fundamental computing has become for the jobs of the future. This book is for educators who see all of their students as creative thinkers and active contributors to tomorrow’s innovations. "Kiki Prottsman and Jane Krauss have been at the forefront of the rising popularity of computer science and are experts in the issues that the field faces, such as equity and diversity. In this book, they’ve condensed years of research and practitioner experience into an easy to read narrative about what computer science is, why it is important, and how to teach it to a variety of audiences. Their ideas aren’t just good, they are research-based and have been in practice in thousands of classrooms…So to the hundreds and thousands of teachers who are considering, learning, or actively teaching computer science—this book is well worth your time." Pat Yongpradit Chief Academic Officer, Code.org

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Why This Book? Why Now? What to Expect A Note About Preparation Lights, Camera, Action! Acknowledgments About the Authors Part 1: Storyboarding Chapter 1. An Introduction to Computer Science Computer Science Is Within You An Introduction to Computational Thinking What Computer Science Is What Computer Science Is Not Chapter 2. Why Kids Should Have the Opportunity to Learn What Computer Science Really Teaches A Look Back It Would Be Irresponsible Not to Introduce Computer Science Part 2: Casting Call Chapter 3. Try Your Hand at Coding Time Well Spent Key Strategy: Pair Programming Teacher Warm-ups and Exercises Chapter 4. Getting Started in the Classroom Start Low-Tech Encourage Movement Foster Critical Consumption Protect Privacy and Prevent Cyberbullying Achieve Access Banish Anxiety Chapter 5. Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Computer Science 1. DON’T Expect to Be an Expert 2. DO Let Your Class Explore 3. DO Let Your Class Share 4. DO Give Kids Time to Move 5. DO Get Creative 6. DON’T Be a Bore 7. DO Relate Computer Science to Students’ Lives 8. DON’T Expect Cookie-Cutter Results 9. DO Set Students up for Success 10. DO Treat CS as an Art 11. DO Give It a Try Part 3: In Production Chapter 6. Activities That Foster Computational Thinking Thinking Computationally Digging Deeper Into Computational Thinking Chapter 7. Decomposition Decomposition Resources Lesson Plan: Break It Down! Decomposition: Break It Up! Chapter 8. Pattern Recognition (With Pattern Matching) Pattern Recognition Resources Lesson Plan: Divine Patterns Chapter 9. Abstraction Abstraction Resources Lesson Plan: So Abstract Sample Stories Chapter 10. Automation Automation Resources Lesson Plan: Algorithms and Automation— A Compliment Generator A Last Word on Computational Thinking What’s Next? Chapter 11. Activities That Foster Spatial Reasoning Spatial Abilities Tied to Success in STEM “Spatialize” Your Teaching Wrapping It Up Chapter 12: Making With Code Making Within STEAM Studies Design for Design Thinking “Freestyle” Making Part 4: Your Feature Presentation Chapter 13. Designing a Curriculum Continuum Across K–12 Chapter 14. Important Ideas Across All Grades Pair Programming Learning to Learn Resources at the Ready Equitable Practices Chapter 15. The Elementary Pathway Kindergarten and First Grade Second and Third Grades Fourth and Fifth Grades Out-of-School Learning in the Elementary Grades Elementary Computer Science Resources Curriculum: Build an Alligator! Chapter 16. The Middle School Pathway Out-of-School Time in the Middle Grades Middle School Computer Science Resources Curriculum: Create Your Own Fortune Chapter 17. The High School Pathway Out-of-School Time in High School High School Computer Science Resources Curriculum: Roll the Dice Chapter 18. Adapting Lessons for Your Class 1. The Lessons Are Only Suggestions 2. Adapt a Lesson for Younger Students 3. Adapt a Lesson for Older Students 4. Create a Lesson to Squeeze Into Other Curricula Chapter 19. What People Are Doing and How They Are Doing It Well Taking It to the Streets: Build Community Enthusiasm for Computer Science Testimonials Afterword: Opportunities Abound Discussion Guide Glossary References Index