Perspective of Coding

As a Library Media Specialist in an IB School, I work hard to make meaningful connections to what my students are learning in their classrooms.  Even though I have designed our Library Media program to include 3 guaranteed units (Research, Coding, and Makerspace) I still make connections.  For  example, our first graders are coding when they come to the Library Media Center.  When I began the unit, they were learning about light.  It was going to be a stretch to connect coding to that.  But...through their unit on light, and other content areas, their focus was perspective.  I tackled focusing on perspective in coding.

There was one little problem...what I know about coding I have taught myself and I am by no means someone who understands what it means to be a programmer.  So...I turned to my PLN on Twitter and I got one great hit!  Henry from GoBubble hit a homerun with his idea for helping children understand perspective!  And, I could do it with high interest materials that would make the lesson incredibly engaging.

Let me tell you just how much of a grand slam that lesson was.  I ran into one of the kiddos in the hallway the morning after we completed that lesson.  Do you know what she said?  "That was a lot of fun yesterday, I really loved it Mrs. Mercier."

I am telling you, I am the educator that I am because of the people in my life!  When you get stuck with how to teach a concept or skill to your students, where do you get your ideas from?