Coding with Kindergarten and Preschool Students
Teaching is an ever fluid art. Not only do we adapt to the needs of our students each year, but to a world that is constantly advancing; particularly in the way of technology. Technology is not only changing the way that we instruct our students, but also the way they are absorbing information. As educators, we need to be sure that we are using technology in a purposeful way, to enhance the learning.
Not every school, however, has the same access to digital devices. No problem! Kindergarten Kiosk has a fantastic, developmentally appropriate unit to help get your kids coding with no devices needed.
I love to use this unit after we’ve been in school for a bit and my kinders are used to our routines and procedures, but you can start whenever you think your kids are ready.
Here’s how I use it. First, I bring in the instruction manuals for LEGO and let kids build with those. As a group, we discuss how we need to follow the instructions to build the set correctly. Then I introduce the term ‘algorithm’ and we discuss that. This helps me set the stage for introducing the unit. You can even find songs about coding like Algorithm Al because everything is better with a song!
I follow the lesson plan pretty carefully afterwards because it’s easy to follow and the language is detailed but simple enough for the kids to understand. A few years back, I purchased the coding Mouse Bots and use these to extend the learning. Now that the students have had practice with ‘writing code’ they are able to create a code for the mouse to follow.
Credit @sylviaduckworth
I love to teach coding to my students because it incorporates the S.T.E.M skills that are vital to our teaching. Additionally, it allows me to incorporate the 6 C’s into my lesson planning. In my district, we are expected to teach Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Character and Citizenship. I can incorporate the first four of these with just this one unit!
S.T.E.M. also has a positive effect on our students motivation for learning. They’re excited to practice these skills and prepares them to be critical thinkers.
Below are some products that can extend STEM or the Robot Theme into other areas of the curriculum.
