Thank you to everyone who made suggestions.  I haven't explored them all, but would like to report that I bought Cubetto, and tried it out this week: K in a whole class, Grades 3 and 4 experimented in groups.  Kids were impressed, and it's fun.  The K had trouble with right and left, but it's all part of their learning.  I stuck yellow and red tags on his back to help them figure out if they needed a yellow (left) chip or a red (right). We made up a story and they took turns programming Cubetto to move around the mat.

Grades 3 and 4 LOVED the Code and Go robot mouse (they want to own one), and I'd like to get more of these.

I also bought (it was cheap, and you could just make your own) a Let's Go Code! activity set (mats and arrow cards and you pretend to be a robot and walk through). Gr. 3 and 4 rotated through all 3 activities  in small groups, and had fun.

I will keep exploring. Thanks again!

Elaine Shapiro

Library Media Specialist, Broad Brook Elementary School

Broad Brook, CT 06016

 


On Wed, May 3, 2017 at 11:04 AM, Burchard, Grace <Grace.Burchard@ct.gov> wrote:

Hello all,

Another option to try before you buy is to borrow some of the coding and maker kits that the Middletown Library Service Center offers.  We have Little Bits, Snap Circuits, Makey Makey, Ozobot, and Dash and Dot.  They circulate for 45 days, and can be booked in advance of when you want them by contacting me off-list at grace.burchard@ct.gov or by using this link to access our online request form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePdKPoY0_UAJEGXK6InAkBMbzNKttC5SY8Wltg3YknfBKdFA/viewform

 

CT_State_Library_Logo-02Resized

 

Grace Burchard | Library Technical Assistant | <Grace.Burchard@ct.gov> | Office: (860) 704-2212 | www.ctstatelibrary.org | Middletown Library Service Center | 786 South Main St. Middletown, CT 06457 | Toll Free in CT: 1-800-437-2313 | Fax: (860) 704-2228 | deliverIT CT: E-108

 

From: CASL-L [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Jenny Lussier
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 10:39 AM
To: Carrie Seiden
Cc: casl-l@mylist.net; Elaine Shapiro
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Coding toy advice

 

Yes! Thank you for adding that one too Carrie!

 

Jenny

 

On Tue, May 2, 2017 at 10:24 AM, Carrie Seiden <cseiden@northbranfordschools.org> wrote:

Hello Elaine,

 

Before making a purchase, I would look into the Finch loan program http://www.finchrobot.com/finch-robot-loan-program We heard about the program thanks to a Jenny Lussier CASL listserv post. They were a huge hit with our students!

 

****

When can I apply for the loan program?

The application for the 2017-2018 school year is open until May 7th, 2017.

How long can I borrow the Finch robots?

Our standard loan is for 2 months. With travel time this generally means about 6 weeks of classroom time with the Finches. We do make exceptions for organizations that are planning on using the robots across multiple classrooms, teachers, or schools, and thus require more time with the Finches.

How many Finch robots can I borrow?

We request that you use the Finches in pair programming, which means that each Finch robot is shared by 2 students.  You should request Finches for half the size of the largest class with which you will use the Finch robots. For example, if you have a class of 20 students you should request 10 Finches.

 

On Tue, May 2, 2017 at 8:45 AM, Elaine Shapiro <elaine.shapiro7@gmail.com> wrote:

I work in a preK -4 school, and my students have enjoyed the Hour of Code games and puzzles. I know little about programming, but am considering purchasing a hands on activity kit that I could use with an entire class, and looking for advice. I think Little Bits is too advanced for my students, plus I'm afraid some pieces would disappear. In the Demco catalog, the Code and Go Robot Mouse Activity set and the Ozobot both look fun. Anyone have experience with these or have other ideas? Or can you recommend where to look?

 

Many thanks,

Elaine Shapiro

Broad Brook School

 

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Certified School Librarian

2016-2017 CT Nutmeg Selection Committee Member

Totoket Valley Elementary School

1388 Middletown Avenue

Northford, CT 06472

follow me on twitter @lovealibrary

 

Quality school library programs ensure that all students learn essential 21st-Century skills

 

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero


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Brewster/Lyman Elementary Schools

Durham/Middlefield, CT

ALA/AASL, CASL, CECA, MSLA member

Twitter: @jluss

Instagram: mrslussierlibrary


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