Resources by Grade Level
Kindergarten
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Kindergarten
code.org
This Spring, kindergarten students have been learning to program using code.org, a block-based programming platform used by millions of children worldwide. Each kindergarten student at North Star has an account. To access your student's account, click the box below that corresponds to their classroom teacher. After logging in to their account (see below), students will be able to pick up at the place they last left off.
what to do
Follow the instructions at the top of each activity. If the word in the instruction are difficult to read, there is a speaker button to the left that will read the instructions to your student.
class links
Parent Notes:
- Students will click on their name, select their special character, and click the orange Sign In button.
- Remind them that they are looking for the orange buttons to go to the next activity.
First
code.org
This Spring, first-grade students have been learning to program using code.org, a block-based programming platform used by millions of children worldwide. Each first-grade student at North Star has an account. To access your student's account, click the box below that corresponds to their classroom. After logging in to their account (see below), students will be able to pick up at the place they last left off.
what to do
Follow the instructions at the top of each activity. If the word in the instruction are difficult to read, there is a speaker button to the left that will read the instructions to your student.
class links
Parent Notes:
- Students will click on their name, select their special character, and click the orange Sign In button.
- Remind them that they are looking for the orange buttons to go to the next activity.
Second
ScratchJr.
This Spring, second-grade students have been learning to program using ScratchJr, a block-based programming platform used to create stories and simple games. ScratchJr does not use accounts, rather it is designed to be used on an individual's device. For students to continue practicing programming with ScratchJr, students must install ScratchJr on their device. Mobile devices and Chromebooks have dedicated apps available. Mac and PC users must download and install a program. Links to all apps and programs are below.
what to do
ScratchJr. is designed to be a platform for creative exploration. In class we have used task cards to help students build basic skills, so students should at least be familiar with the interface and basic block functions. Many students will have tried more involved blocks/concepts in their previous work.
- Challenge your student to create a specific story like "Day at the Beach", "A Visit to the Park", etc.
- Challenge your student to make a character "Go on an Adventure".
- Try activities from the ScratchJr website at https://www.scratchjr.org/teach/activities. These activities will guide them through each activity.
apps
Desktops and Laptops:* Note to Parents: The Mac and PC versions are not official ScratchJr products. They are
open source alternatives. Scratch and ScratchJr are trademarks of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which does not sponsor, endorse, or authorize this content; as a result, there is not a ScratchJr cat in these versions, but they are otherwise almost identical. Mobile Devices: |
Third
Scratch
For a large part of the year, third-grade students have been learning to program using Scratch, a block-based programming platform used by millions of children worldwide. Each third-grade student at North Star has an account. If your student does not remember the username, my advice is to work with him or her to create a new account.
what to do
There are many Scratch resources online and in book form. Here are a couple of thoughts and useful links:
- For a refresher, click the Tutorial button in the blue bar at the top of the page.
- Try Scratch's own starter projects: https://scratch.mit.edu/starter-projects.
- Try Code Club (UK) activities for Scratch at https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub.
- Look through other students' games on the Scratch website. The user community is 10 years old and very passionate. A great variety of projects can be found there.
link (click the cat)
create a new account
- Click the Scratch link below.
- Click the Join Scratch button at the top right part of the screen.
- In the username box, enter a username. This should not be your child's name.
- In the password boxes, enter a new password, then click Next.
- Select your country (this should be United States), then click Next.
- Enter your student's birth month and birth year (these are for statistics only and cannot be associated with your child's real name), then click Next.
- Click the box next to your child's gender, then click Next.
- Enter a PARENT email, then click Create Account.
- Click Get Started.
- Click the Create button in the blue bar at the top of the page to start a new program.
Fourth
Snappy Code Python
For a large part of the year, fourth-grade students have been learning to program with Python. They have been using a block-based, programming-platform called Snappy Code; I created to help younger students program with Python. In class students have been using Snappy Code on the computer lab Macs (not the website). There is however a website at snappycode.org. Due to constraints of the web, this is a slightly more limited version than the desktop program.
Out Spring-semester work focused on using a Python library called Turtle Graphics. Turtle Graphics can be used to make a small turtle draw pictures on the computer screen.
Out Spring-semester work focused on using a Python library called Turtle Graphics. Turtle Graphics can be used to make a small turtle draw pictures on the computer screen.
what to do
Python can be used for many things. As a mater of face, many companies use Python for website, programs, data analysis, and much more. Here are some ideas:
- Try to recreate some of the things you made in class.
- Make a turtle picture of a pine tree (triangles and rectangles).
- Make a turtle picture of a house (triangles, squares, rectangles).
- Remember winter by making a snowman (circles, dots, lines, triangles).
- Click the examples button at the top and choose an example. Raspberry Pi and some other lessons will not work on the web, but you can look at the code.
- Try using Snappy Code to program lessons from Python training around the web. Start here https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub/python-module-1.
link
Fifth
Makecode Arcade
For the last couple of weeks, fifth-grade students have been exploring game programming. They have been using a block-based, programming-platform called Makecode Arcade. Initial teaching has focused on learning the platform and the programming capabilities of Arcade.
what to do
Game design is not simply writing a program and being done with it. It is an involved process that starts with brainstorming using a paper and pencil to blocking the scenes to designing characters to coding to testing. We are only just beginning. Here are suggestions for how to continue:
- Go to Arcade and finish the tutorial programs, or start over from the beginning.
- Make sure you understand why you are doing what you are doing in each tutorial.
- Check out the Block Games section to see the code for more advanced games.
- Try the Game Design Concepts tutorials.
- Make your own game! Make sure to think about what you want to do and plan it out.
link