[Update: Note added workshop in Bangor for November 8.]
Code.org the national campaign to promote computing to young learners is offering free workshops for K-5 educators and content-area teachers (librarians, tech-ed specialists, etc.) interested in teaching the new Code.org elementary school computer science curriculum, called Code Studio.
The workshops will cover content for three courses one for early readers (ages 4-6) and two for beginning readers (age 6+) and teachers will receive the supplies they need to teach the course at no cost. They will be led by experienced Code.org K-5 facilitators.
[See the bottom of this page for resources for middle- and high-school teachers.]
More workshops may be added, so check Code.org for more information: http://code.org/professional-development-workshops. If you are a Maine teacher but cannot attend this particular workshop, contact codemaine@gmail.com.
Code.org has developed a free elementary school curriculum that allows even the youngest students to explore the limitless world of computing. The courses blend online, self-guided and self-paced tutorials with unplugged activities that require no computer at all. Each course consists of about 20 lessons that may be implemented as one unit or over the course of a semester. Even kindergarten-aged pre-readers can participate.
By the end of each course, students can create interactive games or stories that they can share with anyone.
The courses are flexible so educators can tailor them to their class based on their students developmental level and prior experience. The lessons align to CSTA Computer Science and ISTE standards, and reinforce concepts and skills taught in other subject areas by integrating national Math, English Language Arts, and Science standards.
More: http://code.org/educate/k5
Launched in 2013, Code.org® is a non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science.
Although this initiative is focused on elementary students, there are a number of resources for middle and high-school teachers interested in Computer Science.
