Summer SAVY 2018: Session 5, Day 1 – Intro to Programming (Rising 2nd)
Dear SAVY Parents,
The first day of our Intro to Programming: Coding 101 course got off to a wonderful start!
Students began the day with an introduction to one of our class texts: Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot. What does it mean when something happens automatically? Is there anything that robots cannot do? What does it mean when someone says “there’s an app for that”? Can an app do your laundry? Can it walk your dog??
After learning a few vocabulary words, students worked in teams to try and build towers made of spice drops and toothpicks that could support a book. This was a great first lesson in persistence! Why is it important to never give up?
In the computer lab, we introduced some basic computer programming skills using the Angry Birds puzzle on code.org. What is an algorithm? How can we work to make sure the steps to complete a task (algorithm) are correct? What if my algorithm doesn’t work to help the Angry Bird get to the pig? What does it mean when your code when it has a bug?
We also got to meet our Sphero Robots today! As the week progresses, we will become more acquainted with our robots, all the while developing our collaboration and problem solving skills.
Using our computers, robots, and class literature, we will consider and discuss our overarching question of the week: What tasks should humans delegate to machines and what tasks should only and uniquely be accomplished by humans?
Thank you for making your child a part of our SAVY program week! We’re certain that it’s going to be an awesome week of problem solving, FAILs (first attempts in learning), and celebrations of learning!
-Mrs. Byrd & Maya
Some of Today’s Highlights
