K-5 Project Lead the Way Updates
Julia Xistris, K-5 Launch Lead Teacher
Kindergarten-5th grade students have made amazing academic growth during the computer science and biomedical modules of Project Lead the Way. There was an emphasis on collaborative learning while simultaneously being independent learners. Students work with partners, or in small groups, as they problem solve and work through the inquiry-based activities.
Kindergarten: Animals and Algorithms: Our Kindergarten students were introduced to programming by playing an Animal Maze Game, designed to teach students how to write a basic set of instructions similar to coding a computer program. Students then applied their knowledge as they create their own animations on the iPad using Scratch Jr.
First grade: Animal Adaptations: Students learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment as they explore animal adaptations for protection, camouflage, food obtainment, and locomotion.
2nd grade: Grids and Games: After learning how to “speak code” using Rosie’s Runtime Game, students were introduced to Scratch Jr. on the iPad. They learn how to make characters move, interact, change size, and much more! Students began creating code by attempting to solving programming challenges.
3rd grade: Variations of Traits: Students investigate the differences between inherited genetic traits and traits learned or influenced by the environment. As they explore, they discovered that offspring may appear to have different traits than parents as they learn about dominant and recessive genes.
4th grade: Input/Output-The Human Brain: In this cycle, the students learned about the regions of the brain and how each region relates to specific functions in the body, and about the nervous system and neurons, and how they connect and work with the brain. Students then completed a clay model of the brain, tested their five senses, and their memory and reaction time.
5th grade: Infection: Modeling and Simulation: In this module, students investigate models and simulations and discover powerful ideas about computing. look to model an infectious disease to simulate how an illness spread through their class. Applying their new understandings, students program their own models and run simulations with different parameters.
2nd grade: Grids and Games: After learning how to “speak code” using Rosie’s Runtime Game, students were introduced to Scratch Jr. on the iPad. They learn how to make characters move, interact, change size, and much more! Students began creating code by attempting to solving programming challenges.
3rd grade: Variations of Traits: Students investigate the differences between inherited genetic traits and traits learned or influenced by the environment. As they explore, they discovered that offspring may appear to have different traits than parents as they learn about dominant and recessive genes.
4th grade: Input/Output-The Human Brain: In this cycle, the students learned about the regions of the brain and how each region relates to specific functions in the body, and about the nervous system and neurons, and how they connect and work with the brain. Students then completed a clay model of the brain, tested their five senses, and their memory and reaction time.
5th grade: Infection: Modeling and Simulation: In this module, students investigate models and simulations and discover powerful ideas about computing. look to model an infectious disease to simulate how an illness spread through their class. Applying their new understandings, students program their own models and run simulations with different parameters.
