Digital Fluency Day 8 - Computational Thinking

WELCOME to our FINAL week of DFI

Today we have explored more of the Digital Technology/ Hangarau Matihiko Curriculum. I am passionate about learning and teaching students to be innovative creators of digital technology rather than users, so this has been a double BONUS for me today. 

One key resource that I found in the slide that Kerry created for us was the Progression Outcomes - decoded for learners. This is an extremely helpful document to be able to translate the language of programming to our students. I am looking forward to spending more time looking into this more. 

Progression Outcomes – decoded for learners

Manaiakalani Class on Air

I love seeing how teachers like Danni Stone create powerful lessons that combine programming in Scratch with other core curriculum areas, like transformation geometry, in this case.

 Definitely keeping this here for future use. 

AND FINALLY ....

Having a go at using the pen add on in Scratch was fun today. Watch my video as I explain a little bit more about what I have learnt and created today.

Reflecting with a Screencastify video

Visit to Room 7... exploring geometry...

This week I visited Room 7 with observe Sally teaching Geometry.  I thought that the idea of using Kadinsky Art as an exciting context for geometry would be a great for my class.  Using the image below the lesson was to :

Encourage students to examine the picture and discuss with their group and record what maths they can see ( ie …circles, angles, perpendicular lines etc)

-        Students can also complete a personal response to the painting too

-        Explore the maths language that can be used to describe 2D shapes, lines and angles. Teach the students about the different names that can be used to describe a square ( polygon, cuboid, square, parallelogram , quadrilateral, etc), circle etc.

-        Teach the different angles / combinations of lines  and then repeat the art response with a different picture

-        Using plastic cut out shapes have the students design their own Kandinsky inspired art work, with an explanation of the  maths used to create it. 

Now What:

I am looking forward to teaching geometry next week, and I will be using this lesson and adapting it to the learning needs of the students in my classroom.

Some key learning that has happened for me and that will benefit my students is that:

This lesson will activate students prior knowledge, and an opportunity to re-visit previous learning

I have a better understanding of the vocabulary needed to teach geometry. I am planning of giving students TIP sheets with the basic geometric shapes.

*** An idea - students could sort angles according to similarities and differences (Suzy Pepper Collins)