Last week was an incredible experience collaborating with the dedicated staff and enthusiastic students of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. Visiting four schools in just four days provided a firsthand look at the amazing capabilities of today’s students. Their potential for greatness is truly inspiring!
One particularly engaging activity was exploring Rock Paper Scissors through coding. The discussions were lively and insightful, as captured in tweets by @mraspinall, @CDSBEO, and @StEdwardCS showcasing the enthusiasm of Grade 5 and 6 students using the hashtags #Grade5and6 and #CDSBEOTeLI. This hands-on coding project, also highlighted by @codebreakerbook, proved to be a fantastic learning opportunity.
On to Rock Paper Scissors. Lots of very cool discussion! @mraspinall @CDSBEO @StEdwardCS #Grade5and6 #CDSBEOTeLI @codebreakerbook pic.twitter.com/pfVMk9faEO
— Laura Deeves (@LauraDeeves) June 15, 2018
Initially, there were some doubts about introducing Rock Paper Scissors coding with Micro:bit to grade three classes. However, these young learners quickly exceeded expectations. Many students were even ahead of the tutorial pace, demonstrating their natural aptitude for technology. It was a powerful reminder to avoid underestimating students’ abilities and to recognize how seamlessly technology integrates into their learning experiences.
From data management to probability @mraspinall does an excellent job starting w the curriculum and using the #microbit as a tool for learning… 1st Fitbit & #microbit floss challenge & now check out @MTCS_CDSBEO finalist of #rockpaperscissors @CDSBEO @ALovett75 pic.twitter.com/X5owbsytRY
— Nancy McIntyre (@mcintyre7_12lit) June 12, 2018
To further support educators and students interested in exploring coding during the summer, a video tutorial has been created. This resource adopts a “coding to learn” approach, emphasizing coding as a tool for deeper understanding, similar to how reading skills enable learning across subjects.
Huge thnx to @mraspinall & @ALovett75 …@MTCS_CDSBEO Ss are still talking about this! @CDSBEO Check out this video, 1st time Ss use #microbit “for” learning, take a look, all Ss r engaged, on task and problem-solving collaboratively. #failureislearning pic.twitter.com/LXGYkMwzde
— Nancy McIntyre (@mcintyre7_12lit) June 16, 2018
This video tutorial is valuable for probability classes and even statistics or data management courses. It demonstrates how to track data, create graphs, and explore concepts like bias, mean, median, and mode using the Rock Paper Scissors game. It was impressive to see grade 3 students already familiar with the concept of mode, while grade 4 students confidently explained mean and median.
What an exciting day of coding @MTCS_CDSBEO with @mraspinall. The Ss were certainly engaged in all of the STEM activities. Thank you @ALovett75 & @mcintyre7_12lit for organizing today’s sessions. #CodingtoLearn #microbit @CDSBEO pic.twitter.com/7jcA2ldojM
— Jennifer Long (@JefinnerL) June 12, 2018
For more video tutorials and STEM resources, explore my YouTube channel and Hour of Curiosity.
#ThankYou @mraspinall for sharing your STEM/Coding journey and expertise with us this week! #Blessed @CDSBEO #OurJourneyContinues #Inspired #CDSBEOTeLI pic.twitter.com/eWdDcCLp4a
— Andrew Lovett (@ALovett75) June 15, 2018
Enhance your STEM curriculum further with “Code Breaker,” my book packed with lessons, activities, and innovative ideas. Find it on Amazon!
