Guided Coding Lessons

The literature embedded in the buttons above help to explain the importance of learning to code at a young age. Today’s students will live and learn in a world that is completely run by code. Building a strong foundation in programming basics like sequencing, conditional statements, loops, string & variables and more is essential for future endeavors.

I offer students individual tutoring in several coding applications such as Tynker, Kodable, Code.org and other curriculum based courses. The sequencing of which concepts children learn first is central to their progress at an early age. I have attached an overview of a Pennsylvania state aligned curriculum I developed based on the CSTA (computer science teachers of America, 2017). This extends through 8th grade where students begin to learn advanced programming and work independently on projects like web and game design.

My coding curriculum derives its applications and instruction from either the Tynker or Kodable platform. They are both subscription based and I work individually with students to progress through each concept and level. These platforms offer robust student data on performance which can identify strengths and weaknesses.  Students learn a progression of block based coding in Kindergarten and the curriculum introduces new concepts each year. These include : sequencing, conditional statements, debugging, loops, strings, arrays and more complex functions. Students in middle and high school progress towards text based Python, Java, C++ and more. I will help introduce and guide your student to develop an understanding of coding and literacy in the 21st century at THEIR pace. 

Digital Citizenship

    Students are required to learn and display their understanding digitally starting in Kindergarten. Many educators and  parents assume that students have the skills to navigate, explore, and decipher information online. Digital citizenship is complex and multimodal ; students require explicit instruction for safe and responsible comprehension of information. 

   Effective digital citizenship teaches students about personal vs public information,  internet navigation and search, cyberbullying and their digital footprint. It is imperative that students learn how to protect their information  from an early age. More importantly, students must feel confident they can safely and accurately utilize the internet as the most powerful source of information in the world. 

   “All students need digital citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life” ( Common Sense.org). iGen Education offers instruction through online games and safety courses with the Common Sense curriculum, Google’s Interland and more interactive safety games. Students also learn how to create and test strong passwords, appropriate interaction with others and how to curate a responsible online image.