STEAM Club gets Scratchy

Learners: Kim, Selestine, Sharon, Karis, Harry, Aditi	Learning Coach:  D Wilkes	Date: 12-08-16
Learning Area:  Technology & Maths NZC Achievement Objective:        Level 2-Technological systems:  Understand that there are relationships between the inputs, controlled transformations, and outputs occurring within simple technological systems. Number strategies:  Use simple additive strategies with whole numbers and fractions.	Key Competency:    Thinking Relating to others Participating & Contributing Using language, symbols & text	4C:
Learning Observed: The learners were invited to use the coding program Scratch to create a simple calculator.  We began by logging into the LH1 account and creating a Scratch pad.  Then the learners used some simple code to make the sprite (cat character) say hello.  After that they were presented with a more difficult challenge: This challenge highlighted the learners who were willing to persevere (Selestine & Karis & Kim) and those who required a lot more support.  It was great to see them explore the different types of code and realise that they needed to set up an ‘event’ for each instruction.  I would strongly encourage all of the learners to create their own account and try more of the challenges found here.
Evidence of learning: The learners were making a lot of connections to their previous experiences with coding, maths and the Scratch program.  Harry has been doing his iExplore learning adventure with Scratch and Makey Makey so he was very collaborative and helpful with the younger learners- helping them log in and create their first Scratch pad.  Harry is definitely developing his capabilities with coding in Scratch and at helping others.  Sharon, Selstine, Karis and Kim were having a lot of fun exploring their curiosities at making the cat sprite ‘meow’ and at creating musical instrument sounds.  Aditi enjoyed recording her own voice and making the program repeat her greeting.
Next Learning Steps: Practice using www.scratch.mit.edu to develop their coding capabilities Persevere with the maths challenge to see if they can make a simple calculation Come to STEAM club every week and blog about what they learned Try https://code.org/ for some self directed easy to follow coding tutorials