Latin School of Chicago

latin magazine » spring 2015 27 Age Matters To those looking at the future of computer science at Latin, however, the lower school is at the heart of where the program is headed over the next decade. "From the time they are in JK, our students are learning the language and ideas of computer science," said Simon. "By the time they reach middle and upper school, they will already have the strong foundation that we are currently spending class time on." In the coming years, Simon sees the course offerings in the upper school looking more like the choices students have in other subjects in terms of their number and variety. He also hopes that making computer science part of every student's experience from a young age will organically diversify the field to include more women and minorities, who traditionally have not pursued computer and tech degrees or careers. Sitting in her office surrounded by games, robots and iPads, Lower School Technology Coordinator Chris Eustice wants to make computer science fun and dynamic. She is always researching new apps and activities that can be incorporated into the curriculum. e junior kindergarten class uses Bee Bots, miniature robots that look like bees and can be programmed to follow commands; reads Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith to discuss what an algorithm is; and plays games such as Programmer Says, a version of Simon Says. In senior kindergarten, students still spend much time with hands-on activities but also are introduced to computer skills and begin learning the Code. org K-5 curriculum that is the backbone of the lower school program. In fourth grade, Eustice teaches Scratch, an MIT-designed program that introduces coding through a simple drag-and-drop interface called block coding. She also uses the Scratch-based Creative Computing curriculum, which allows for more project-based learning, and she has been working with teachers to find opportunities for students to use their coding skills. Recently, she collaborated with the fourth grade teachers to make a coding assignment part of the unit on Ancient Egypt. Students were asked to recreate a chapter of a book using coding. ey could make a story, create an interactive game or build something illustrating the chapter. Next year, Eustice wants to have every fourth grader complete a curricular project using code. She also plans to provide more opportunities for older students to reinforce their knowledge and skills by teaching younger students. "ere are some kids who learn the basics of coding and then take it and run with it," said Eustice. She has witnessed students develop games and programs that are both creative and sophisticated in her morning Coding Club. Because of the newness of the curriculum, she admits that she often learns alongside the students and sometimes is outpaced by them. "I've come to accept that I won't always be the expert," she said. Instead, she sees both students and teachers benefiting from a collaborative learning partnership. For the computer science team, it is an exciting time. ey are covering new ground that will allow Latin students not only to be successful in the digital world but also to become innovative critical thinkers. "By teaching students computer science, we are giving them one more way to understand how the world works," said Simon. Just as Latin does with any other subject, the school is providing a strong foundation of skills and knowledge, offering opportunities and supporting students as they go on to shape the future. Computer science learning through LEGOs in the upper school. There are some kids who learn the basics of coding and then take it and run with it." – Chris Eustice, Lower School Technology Coordinator latin magazine » spring 2015

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