CS Standards K-8 Workshop

Session Descriptions:

• Barriers to Implementation (Paige Besthoff) - This session is an opportunity to proactively prepare strategies to address the most common CS implementation barriers and how to incorporate CS into your academic curriculum (math, science, SS, language arts). This session will include highly interactive conversations. (Equity)

• Bringing Stories to Life Through Coding (Paige Besthoff) - Introduction to Elementari.com and story coding. This is a hands-on session where you will write a story on this coding platform. (Algorithms & Programming)

• Chromebook Throwdown (Ellen Fishter) - Are your students using chromebooks? This is the session for you! Learn about student settings, extensions, apps, and some basic troubleshooting. (Computing Systems)

• Computational thinking across the curriculum with an emphasis on Data & Analysis (Paige Besthoff) - What is computational thinking and how do you incorporate computational thinking and problem solving in all subject areas? (Data & Analysis)

• Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards and Inquiry (Amy Mercado and Connie Sanchez) - “In a true inquiry lesson, there is a back and forth flow of knowledge between the teacher and students. It begins when the teacher poses an idea or concept and then asks targeted questions. This leads to students sharing their ideas and asking additional questions” (modelteaching.com). How can inquiry be used to approach the computer science and design thinking standards? This session will explore pedagogy and resources for implementing this strategy in your classroom.

• Computer Science is Everywhere- thinking about the Computer Science and Design Thinking Practices (Amy Mercado and Dina Rosen) - The thought of integrating computer science can be overwhelming. Participants will be engaged with an introduction showing how they are already implementing computer science practices and standards. This session includes resources to bring forward computer science concepts in the classroom setting.

• CS and our Natural World Part 2: Exploring where CS and Climate Change Standards Intersect Part 1 (Amy Mercado) - Nature Based Doesn't Mean No-Tech will guide attendees through technology tools and standards that can be used for collaboration and meaningful integration of technology while discussing and engaging in concepts of sustainability. Participants in this session will engage in shared experiences and strategies using technology integration while infusing the standard- Effects of Technology on the Natural World.

• CS and our Natural World Part 2: Exploring where CS and Climate Change Standards Intersect Part 2 (Dina Rosen)- Positioning our students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to take action against climate change is key. Participants will explore how Climate Change Standards and CS standards (both adopted by NJ in 2020) can be grouped to create interdisciplinary units.

• CS Really is For ALL (Paige Besthoff) - Bringing CS to all students involves overcoming barriers to implementing CS, as well as implementing CS equitably. The focus of this session is on implementing CS equitably. We will discuss various scenarios and address the TEC rubric. (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

• Cybersecurity Workshop (Laurie Salvail) - Cyber.org, the academic initiative of the cyber innovation center, is empowering educators to teach cyber. This session will address elementary and middle school standards and concepts. (Computational Thinking, Data & Analysis, Impacts of Computing)

• Engineering Design and the Nature of Technology (Amy Mercado) - How does the Engineering Design Process fit into your classroom? This session will explore the design process, problem solving opportunities, and developing student understanding of the technological contribution to problem solving.

• Everything Starts with a Story (Ellen Fishter) - All the STEAM and coding activities start with a story in this session. The lessons and ideas included within each story drive the activities and provide a foundation for computational thinking, creating, learning, and exploration. (Algorithms & Programming, Engineering Design)

• Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (Paige Besthoff) - What is Artificial Intelligence? What is Machine Learning? Introduce your students to these concepts with hands-on activities. (Algorithms & Programming, Impacts of Computers)

• Google Tools and Other Open Education Resources (Amy Mercado) - Is your school a Google School? Is your school an Apple or Microsoft school? This session will explore Google tools and other OER that can be integrated into your curricula with your students- for free!

• Humanizing Technological Communication (Connie Sanchez) - Take a look at communication with educational stakeholders with current school admin. How can you keep the home/school connection via technology?

• Incorporating books rich in computer science vocabulary into ELA, Math and Science while using Scratch Coding (Regina Nadbielny) - Explore a variety of books to incorporate CS into your curriculum with Scratch coding. (Algorithms & Programming)

• Introduction to basic computer science concepts (Regina Nadbielny) What is an Algorithm? Loop? Debugging? Event? Conditional? Variable? Explore the basic concepts of computer science as we look at examples of each. (Algorithms & Programming)

• Introduction to the Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards for K-2, 3-5, & 6-8 (Amy Mercado, Dina Rosen, Jennifer Carcich ) - Become familiar with the standards themselves as well as be introduced to model activities that incorporate the standards.

• Reflections from the Pandemic (Amy Mercado) - Teachers have learned so much on the heels of the pandemic educational landscape! This session will explore takeaways from the virtual and hybrid classrooms of the last two years to bring best practices into your land based classroom.

• Sequences, events, loops, conditionals, variables - Oh No! (Ellen Fishter) - Teaching elementary students about these concepts can seem daunting. This session will break down each and illustrate some suggested methods of introduction. (Algorithms & Programming)

• Systems Thinking and the Computer Science Standards (Amy Mercado) - What is systems thinking? How can systems thinking support your integration of computer science and technology? This session will introduce systems thinking and a student’s connection with systems around the planet through technology.

• Teaching about networks, the internet, and how they work together (Ellen Fishter) - Get prepared to teach students about how the internet and networks came to be, how information travels, how devices communicate, and how information can be protected using various security measures, both physical and digital. (Networks and the Internet)

• Universal Design for Learning and Technology Integration (Amy Mercado) - This workshop will explore Universal Design for Learning as a means of assessment and simultaneously a framework for structuring virtual instruction. This workshop will give understanding of UDL principles and the creation of virtual course performance assessment rooted in learning preference choice and meaningful use of technology. Specific technology tools such as Flipgrid and Voicethread will be discussed and infused. Attendees will engage in a community of learning and create opportunities for their course content.

• What can Elementary Students Learn from Robots? (Ellen Fishter) - Explore using different robots to introduce/reinforce sequencing, pattern recognition, problem solving, debugging, and teamwork. (Algorithms & Programming)

• We Are Water Protectors (Regina Nadbielny) - After reading “We Are Water Protectors” we will discuss activities for students as they look at ways they can protect Earth’s water from harm and corruption. We will have a hands-on session where you will program using basic commands and clean up the beach using Kodable. (Algorithms & Programming, Effects of Technology on the Natural World)

• Yes, Cybersecurity in Elementary (Ellen Fishter) - Students will enjoy learning about this newer area of computer science study. This session includes resources for students to be cybersmart and fun cyber sleuth activities. (Computational Thinking, Impacts of Computing)