TaleBot Coding Adventures!

This past week, we went on a coding adventure! Simply put, coding is creating instructions. A fleet of little TaleBot robots joined our class and we learned how to have them follow our directions. 

We met the TaleBots and worked in pairs to learn how to use their comand buttons. The commands allow the TaleBots to move forward and back, turn left and right, and even dance! 

First, pairs were challenged to code the TaleBot to move around a block or two. There was lots of trial and error (and squeals of joy!) as we problem solved, discussed, and corrected our code. The spaces on the mat helped us count out our commands. 

Then we examined a zoo-themed coding mat and were challenged to write a story all about the zoo! 

The stories are about TaleBots who visit the zoo. What animal do they want to see at the zoo first? Next? Last? 

Once our zoo stories were written, we got back into teams. Using our story, we coded the TaleBot to retell our very own stories!

What a fantastic day of learning! You'll be able to see how your child codes their TaleBot at our upcoming Student-Led Celebrations of Learning!

We're Coding Kids!

This past week, we embarked on a coding adventure! Simply put, coding is creating instructions. A fleet of little TaleBot robots joined our class and we learned how to have them follow our directions. 

We met the TaleBots and worked in pairs to learn how to use their command buttons. The commands allow the TaleBots to move forward and back, turn left and right, and even dance! 

Pairs were challenged to code the TaleBot to move around a block or two. There was lots of trial and error (and squeals of joy!) as we problem solved, discussed, and corrected our code. The spaces on the mat helped us count out our commands. 

We examined a zoo-themed coding mat and were challenged to write a story all about the zoo! 

The stories are about TaleBots who visit the zoo. What animal do they want to see at the zoo first? Next? Last? 

Once our zoo stories were written, we got back into teams. Using our story, we coded the TaleBot to retell our very own stories!

What a fantastic day of learnning! Watch for your child's Tale Bot Visits the Zoo story coming home today!

We're Coding Kids!

This past week, we embarked on a coding adventure! Simply put, coding is writing instructions. A fleet of little TaleBot robots joined our class and we learned how to have them follow our directions. 

We met the TaleBots and worked in pairs to learn how to use the command buttons. The commands allow the TaleBots to move forward and back, turn left and right, and even dance! 

Our first challenge was to have the TaleBot move around a piece of lego. There was lots of trial and error (and squeals of joy!) as we problem solved, discussed, and corrected our code. 

We tried the same challenge on a coding mat, and it became easier, as we were able to use the spaces on the mat to help us count out our commands. 

We examined a zoo mat and were challenged to write a story all about the zoo! The stories are about TaleBots who visit the zoo. Where do they travel to first? Next? Last? 

Once our zoo stories were written, we got back into teams. Using our story, we coded the TaleBot to retell our very own stories!

Next week we are excited to teach our big Grade 4 buddies how to code with the TaleBots. What a spectacular week of learning!

DASHing All The Way!

It is with great excitement that we welcome in two new students to our class, Dot and Dash!

Dot and Dash are robots that will help our students learn about coding and robotics!

Image courtesy of Wonder Workshop

Our first task was simple. In small groups, the kids practiced moving Dash, the larger robot on wheels, around various obstacles. They challenged one another to move Dash to different spots. 

Inspired by two weeks of chilly weather, we popped the bulldozer bar attachment on Dash and challenged one another to shovel the "snow". There was excitement, cooperation, frustration, patience, persistence, and lots of squealing and smiling!

Think Grade 1's are too young to code? Think again! What will Dash and the kids be up to next?

Candling and Bowling

Today is day 10 of our hatching journey. Remember when we began?

We learned that on the 10th day of growth, a chick's beak is hardening! Isn't God amazing?

Today we candled a few of the eggs in our incubator. Candling can tell us if the egg is developing into a chick. First we made our classroom very dark. 

Using a special bright light, we were able to see if there was a developing chick inside the egg or not. Dark, shadowy egg? Chick! Bright, lit up egg? No chick. 

We candled about 8 eggs, and most of them were dark! In another 11 days or so, the little ones growing inside the eggs will hatch. We can hardly wait!

Can your child describe the life cycle of the chicken?

Our student teacher is nearing the end of her time with us, but she is squeezing in another spectacular Coding Club challenge before she is gone! Bowling!

The learning (and fun) never stops!

New Books, New Life, and a New Challenge!

We had such an exciting day!

New Books
We love to read and we will read anywhere! Today, we read on a BUS! The Bookmobile came from the Strathcona County Library! We heard a few silly stories on the bus, and then had an opportunity to each choose 5 books to borrow. We even got flashy book bags! 

We couldn't wait to get reading!

The Bookmobile will be back for the next three Mondays. We can't wait!

New Life
Today we welcomed in a generous and very knowledgeable mom who is helping us hatch chicks. We have an incubator full of eggs, and in 21 days, we hope it is full of wee little chicks! Each day we will carefully monitor the incubator's temperature and humidity. This is sure to be an exciting journey as we experience new life first hand!

New Challenge
Our energetic student teacher began a Coding Club today! The students were challenged to create a song with Dash, and boy have they been rising to the challenge! 

What a marvelous Monday!

ARE WE GETTING ALIENS???

Mrs. Beliveau: So, boys and girls, tomorrow we will have two new students joining our class! 

Students: Really? Awesome! Is it a boy and a girl?

Mrs. Beliveau: No, not a boy and a girl. 

Students: So ... two boys?

Mrs. Beliveau: No. 

Students: Girls, then?

Mrs. Beliveau: No, not boys or girls at all. 

Students: Animals? Are we getting a gerbil?

Mrs. Beliveau: No, no animals here. And these new students aren't human. 

Students: ALIENS?!?!?! ARE WE GETTING ALIENS?!?!

Mrs. Beliveau: No aliens, but these new students are in fact blue. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see!

*  *  *  *  *

It is with great excitement that we welcome in our two newest classmates, Dot and Dash!

Image courtesy of Wonder Workshop

Dot and Dash are robots (phew, not aliens). These two are going to help us learn about coding and robotics! 

You can't bring in two robots and not let the kids "have at 'er", so we charged them up, downloaded the apps, and explored! 

The task was simple. In small groups, the kids practiced moving Dash, the larger robot on wheels, around a square. In each of the corners was a spelling word. The children challenged one another to move Dash to different words. There was excitement, cooperation, frustration, patience, persistence, and lots of squealing and smiling!

This little exploration activity was just the tippity tip of the iceberg! What will Dot and Dash be up to next?