ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach teaching and learning. With its ability to understand and respond to natural language input, ChatGPT can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students, improve communication between teachers and students, and automate the grading process.

One of the most significant ways ChatGPT can influence teaching and learning is through its ability to provide personalized learning experiences. ChatGPT can be integrated into educational platforms to create interactive lessons and quizzes that adapt to the student's level of understanding. This means that students can learn at their own pace and receive tailored instruction based on their individual needs. Additionally, ChatGPT can be used to generate personalized feedback and suggestions for improvement, further helping students to develop their knowledge and skills.

Another way ChatGPT can influence teaching and learning is by improving communication between teachers and students. ChatGPT can be integrated into messaging apps, allowing teachers to respond to student questions and concerns in real-time. This can help to reduce the need for in-person office hours, making it easier for students to get the help they need, regardless of their schedule. Additionally, ChatGPT can be used to automatically generate responses to common questions, reducing the workload of teachers and allowing them to spend more time focusing on individual student needs.

ChatGPT can also be used to automate the grading process, which can save teachers a significant amount of time and allow them to focus on providing feedback and support to students. ChatGPT can be trained to grade written assignments, such as essays and research papers, and provide detailed feedback on the student's work. This can help to improve the accuracy of grading, as well as make the process more efficient, allowing teachers to spend more time working with students on their individual needs.

In conclusion, ChatGPT has the potential to greatly influence teaching and learning by providing personalized learning experiences, improving communication between teachers and students, and automating the grading process. With the integration of this technology into educational platforms, we can create more effective and efficient learning environments for students of all ages and abilities. However, as with all technologies, it is important to consider the ethical implications of its use and ensure that it is integrated in a way that enhances education and student's privacy.

Fiction and nonfiction writing are two distinct forms of literature that are fundamentally different in terms of their content and purpose.

Fiction is a form of creative writing that is characterized by its use of imagination, storytelling, and characterization. It is a type of writing that is not based on fact, but rather on the author's imagination and creativity. Fiction can be found in a wide variety of genres, such as novels, short stories, plays, and poetry, and it often explores themes such as love, loss, and human nature. The main goal of fiction writing is to entertain, and to engage readers emotionally.

On the other hand, nonfiction writing is based on fact and is often used to inform or educate readers about a specific subject or topic. Nonfiction can take many forms, such as biographies, memoirs, and educational texts, and it often focuses on real people, places, and events. The main goal of nonfiction writing is to inform, educate, or to persuade the reader.

One of the main differences between fiction and nonfiction writing is the level of creativity and imagination involved. Fiction is completely made up and the author can use their imagination to create any story they want while nonfiction is based on true events and facts, and author can only include information that is verifiable. Additionally, the writing style used in fiction and nonfiction is different as well. Fiction writing often uses literary devices such as metaphor and symbolism to create a specific emotional or psychological effect on the reader, while nonfiction writing typically focuses on providing information in a clear and concise manner.

Another key difference between fiction and nonfiction writing is their intended audience. Fiction is generally written for a general audience, and it is designed to entertain and engage readers of all ages and backgrounds. Nonfiction, on the other hand, is often written for a specific audience and is designed to inform or educate readers about a particular subject or topic. Nonfiction can be technical and thus it is written in a style that can be understood by those with specialized knowledge in a certain field.

Fiction and nonfiction also differ in terms of their purpose. Fiction writing is primarily intended to entertain, while nonfiction writing is intended to inform or educate. This difference in purpose is reflected in the structure of the two forms of writing. Fiction writing often follows a specific narrative structure, with a beginning, middle, and end, while nonfiction writing is typically structured according to the information that is being presented.

In conclusion, fiction and nonfiction writing are fundamentally different forms of literature. They are defined by their content, style, and purpose, and are intended for different audiences. Fiction writing is based on imagination and creativity, and is primarily intended to entertain, while nonfiction writing is based on fact, and is primarily intended to inform or educate. Understanding these differences is crucial to writing effectively in both forms and to understanding the full range of human expression through writing.

There are many excellent books that are popular among third graders. Here are a few notable examples:

1. "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White: This classic children's novel tells the story of a young girl named Fern who saves a runt pig named Wilbur from being killed. Wilbur is taken in by Fern's uncle, who raises him on his farm. Wilbur becomes friends with a spider named Charlotte, who helps him avoid being slaughtered by spinning words into her web. The book is a heartwarming tale of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice.

2. "The Magic Treehouse" series by Mary Pope Osborne: This popular series follows the adventures of brother and sister Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space in their magic treehouse. Each book takes them on a new adventure, visiting different time periods and locations, such as ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and the rainforest. The series is designed to be both entertaining and educational, introducing children to historical and scientific concepts in an engaging way.

3. "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein: This classic children's book tells the story of a boy who grows up with a tree that provides him with everything he needs. The tree is happy to give the boy its leaves, branches, trunk, and eventually its very trunk in order to fulfill the boy's needs. The book is a moving tale about the importance of generosity and the consequences of taking things for granted.

4. "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling: is a fantasy book series that is highly popular among children and adults alike, it follows the adventures of a young boy named Harry Potter who discovers that he is a wizard and attends a school of witchcraft and wizardry. The series is full of magical creatures, spells, and adventures that take Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the seven years they spent at Hogwarts. The books are a great way to introduce children to the fantasy genre and encourage a love of reading.

5. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney: This illustrated novel is written in the format of a child's diary and follows the story of Greg Heffley, a middle school student who is navigating the ups and downs of school and family life. The book is filled with funny and relatable moments that will make children laugh and connect with the character.

These books are popular among third graders for their relatable characters, engaging storylines, and valuable lessons. They are also a great way to introduce children to different literary genres and help them develop a love for reading.

Writing a quote from a book can be a great way to add a personal touch to your writing and show off your literary knowledge. However, it's important to make sure that you're properly citing your sources and giving credit to the author.

The first step in writing a quote from a book is to find the exact passage you want to use. Make sure you read the passage in context to ensure that you understand its meaning and that it's relevant to your topic. Once you've found the perfect quote, you'll need to make sure that you're properly citing it.

One common way to cite a quote from a book is to use MLA (Modern Language Association) format. This style is often used in the humanities, such as literature and languages. To cite a quote in MLA format, you'll need to include the author's last name, the page number where the quote appears, and the publication information. For example:

"The road to freedom lies not through mysteries or occult performances, but through the intelligent use of natural forces and laws" (Wells, 57).

Another popular citation style is the APA (American Psychological Association) format, which is often used in the social sciences. To cite a quote in APA format, you'll need to include the author's last name, the date of publication, and the page number. For example:

"The road to freedom lies not through mysteries or occult performances, but through the intelligent use of natural forces and laws" (Wells, 1914, p. 57).

You also want to make sure to introduce the quote properly, so your audience knows what context it's from, who is the speaker, and so on. This can be done by writing a sentence or two before the quote, summarizing the main idea of the passage or providing background information about the author.

When integrating the quote into your own writing, make sure that it flows seamlessly and doesn't feel out of place. Avoid simply dropping a quote into your text without any explanation or context. Instead, use the quote to support your own arguments and ideas.

Additionally, while quoting, it is important to use quotation marks properly, as it gives the audience a clear indication of what text is being quoted. Also, you need to make sure to maintain the original grammar, spelling, and punctuation of the quoted text.

Lastly, it is important to be mindful of the length of the quote and to not overuse quotes in your work. Quotes can be powerful tools, but too many quotes can detract from the originality and voice of your own writing.

In conclusion, quoting from a book can be a great way to add literary flair and credibility to your writing, but it's important to make sure that you're properly citing your sources and giving credit to the author. By following the proper citation format, introducing the quote appropriately, integrating it seamlessly and being mindful of the length and usage of quotes, you can make sure your quote is both effective and ethically sound.

1. Imagine you are a superhero with special powers. What powers do you have, and how do you use them to help others?

2. Write a story about a brave knight who goes on a quest to save a princess from a dragon.

3. What would happen if animals could talk? Write a story about a day in the life of a talking dog or cat.

4. Write a story about a kind and wise old owl who helps a group of lost forest animals find their way home.

5. Imagine you are a detective solving a mystery. Write a story about the clues you find and how you use them to solve the case.

6. Write a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure to find hidden treasure.

7. Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a story about how you survived and made it back home.

8. Write a story about a magical garden where flowers can sing and dance.

9. Imagine you are a robot with unique abilities. Write a story about your adventures and how you use your abilities to help others.

10. Write a story about a brave young boy who sets out to save his village from a fierce dragon.

11. Imagine you are a mermaid living in the ocean. Write a story about your daily life and the adventures you go on.

12. Write a story about a group of animal friends who journey to find a lost jungle.

13. Imagine you are a time traveller who can go back in time and visit different eras. Write a story about where you go and what you see.

14. Write a story about a kind and clever fox who outwits a group of hunters to save his family.

15. Imagine you have superpowers and use them to fight against injustice. Write a story about a hero who saves the day.

16. Write a story about an orphan who discovers a magical key that unlocks a secret treasure.

17. Imagine you are a farmer who discovers a mysterious egg in your field. Write a story about what hatches from the egg and how it changes your life.

18. Write a story about a brave adventurer who discovers a hidden kingdom in the clouds.

19. Imagine you are a time traveler with a critical mission. Write a story about your adventure to fix the past and shape a better future.

20. Write a story about a magic tree that grants wishes and how it impacts a community.

What are consonant blends?

Consonant blends, also known as consonant clusters, are groups of two or more consonant sounds that occur together in words without a vowel sound between them. Consonant blends can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of a word, and they can be represented by a single letter or a combination of letters.

For example, the word "blend" starts with the blend "bl", and the word "strap" ends with the blend "st". Additionally, in the word "scream" the blend "scr" appears in the middle.

Some common consonant blends at the beginning of words include: "bl", "br", "cl", "cr", "dr", "fl", "fr", "gl", "gr", "pl", "pr", "sk", "sl", "sm", "sn", "sp", "st", "sw", "tr", and "tw". Some common consonant blends at the end of words include: "ld", "lf", "lk", "lp", "lt", "nd", "ng", "nk", "nt", "rd", "rk", "rm", "rn", "rp", "rt", "sk", and "st".

It is important to note that these are just examples and not comprehensive lists. It is also important to note that not all letter combinations will form a blend. For example in "bath" the "th" is not a blend, as it represents different sounds. The "th" in "bath" would be two distinct sounds.

Blending consonant sounds is an important skill for children to learn as they develop their reading and spelling abilities. It helps with developing their ability to decode unfamiliar words, and it's also an important factor in fluency in reading. Understanding and being able to recognize and produce blends allows children to read with more accuracy and automaticity.

Teaching consonant blends to children can be done in a variety of ways such as breaking down words into individual sounds, teaching the common consonant blends, and practising exercises like rhyming words or word families.

Strategies for teaching consonant blends

Consonant blends, also known as consonant clusters, are groups of two or more consonants that are pronounced together without a vowel sound in between them. These can be challenging for young students to learn and pronounce correctly. However, there are several strategies that can be used to teach consonant blends effectively.

One strategy is to teach the individual sounds of the letters within the blend first. For example, when teaching the blend "bl," the teacher would first teach the sounds of "b" and "l" separately. Then, the teacher can have the students practice saying the sounds together, slowly blending them to form the correct blend sound. This approach allows students to understand the individual sounds that make up the blend before trying to say the blend as a whole.

Another strategy is to use visual aids such as flashcards or pictures to help students associate the blend with a specific word or image. For example, a flashcard with a picture of a ball on one side and the word "ball" written on the other side can be used to help students associate the "bl" blend with the word "ball." Additionally, having students write out words containing the blend they are learning can also be helpful.

Another approach is to have students practice blending sounds in words. This can be done by giving them individual sounds, such as "b" "l" and "f" and asking them to blend them to make a word, in this example "blf" they can be prompted to make a word "blue" or "black"

Additionally, breaking down words into syllables can also be a helpful strategy for teaching consonant blends. For example, when teaching the blend "str," the teacher can have the students break the word "string" into "string" and "ing." This helps students to focus on the blend within the word and makes it easier for them to pronounce it correctly.

Another good strategy is to use songs and rhymes as a fun way to help students learn and remember consonant blends. Mnemonics can also be a good way to help students memorize the different blends. For example, to help students remember the blend "st," the teacher can have them use the phrase "Stop the train" to help them remember the sound of the blend.

Lastly, teachers should provide consistent and plenty of opportunities for students to practice blending sounds in words. This can be done through reading activities, writing activities, or oral exercises. Regularly reviewing and practicing blends that have been previously learned can help to solidify students' understanding and improve their ability to use and recognize the blends in context.

In conclusion, consonant blends can be a challenging concept for students to learn, but by using a combination of these strategies, such as teaching individual sounds, using visual aids, breaking down words into syllables, using songs and rhymes, providing opportunities for practice and reviewing, teachers can help students to master consonant blends and improve their reading and writing skills.

Getting Started with STEM in Your Classroom

If you are not yet teaching STEM in your classroom, the chances are good that you will be within the next few years.

But, what exactly is STEM and how do we go about teaching it?

What Does STEM Stand For?

The acronym itself stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

While Science and Math are old staples of formal education, and you may well have come across elements of Technology and Engineering in various other subjects, the main difference in the teaching of these elements under the umbrella term of STEM lies in how they are taught.

However, before we take a closer look at STEM and how it’s taught, you may have noticed a similar acronym floating around containing one extra letter: STEAM.

A Quick Word on STEAM

In recent years, the acronym STEAM has become much more visible.

The A here stands for ‘arts’ and refers to art in a broad manner that includes the liberal arts, fine arts, physical arts, and music etc. It was added to encourage the integration of the creative arts into the STEM subject area.

There’s much debate between educators as to the value of this endeavor. Some argue that STEM should retain a clear separation between the sciences and the arts, while others argue the contrary.

This debate is relatively new and as yet unresolved. As a result, there is no clear consensus on what STEAM would actually look like in the classroom. That said, for the purposes of the rest of this article, we will refer exclusively to STEM, though there may well be ample opportunities to weave the arts into many of the STEM-based activities.

The STEM Curriculum

STEM in the classroom focuses less on the content of the various aspects of the subject, or the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, and more on learning to apply related skills.

STEM focuses heavily on promoting problem-solving and critical thinking skills to help find solutions. It is, above all, a subject directed at the doing rather than just the knowing.

Common elements of the various STEM curricula usually include elements of the following 3 areas:

Design: using design techniques and tools to solve problems and challenges

Application: applying knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems

Integration: drawing on knowledge and skills from a range of overlapping disciplines

Depending on your situation (the type of school, educational system, level of students, management structure, etc) you will need to decide whether you will be teaching STEM as a discrete subject or weaving it into other areas of an already existing curriculum.

Regardless of how the subject is approached, the following general advice will apply to getting started with STEM in your classroom.

Organize the Learning Space

STEM is about problem-solving and critical thinking. One of the best ways to develop these skills is through collaboration and teamwork. Before introducing STEM to your students, be sure you have optimized the space available to facilitate group work.

This may mean rearranging tables and chairs. It may even mean removing chairs entirely and grouping smaller desks together to create larger working spaces. These spaces should be suitable for group work and the demands of working on large projects.

In a practical subject such as STEM, safety is a critical factor to consider too. Be sure to have a walk through the area prior to beginning the lesson so that you can identify and eliminate potential hazards.

Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork

Project-based learning is a key element of STEM in the classroom. Teamwork and collaboration are essential elements of ensuring the successful completion of any science or engineering project.

There are a number of ways you can encourage collaboration and teamwork in your STEM lessons. Let’s take a look at some of these:

●       Be sure to embed the importance of collaboration and teamwork into the design of your activities

●       Help students understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration

●       Model directly to the students what good teamwork and collaboration look like

●       Establish clear expectations for working together

●       Ensure all learners are engaged and sharing ideas during lessons

●       Build-in discussion opportunities and stress the importance of consensus building

●       Reinforce the idea of collective responsibility

●       Assign meaningful roles and responsibilities, where necessary

●       Encourage self-reflection and evaluation.

Be Prepared: Plan, Plan, Plan!

Good planning is essential for any effective teaching to take place, but this is especially true if teaching STEM is new to you. The better prepared you are, the more likely the lesson is to be a success.

Of course, we need to maintain some flexibility in our delivery to respond to the unexpected. However, there are six general elements that are characteristic of any good STEM lesson:

●       Ask a question that focuses on a real-world challenge

●       Make sure students are guided by the engineering design process (more on this below)

●       Involve students in hands-on practical inquiry

●       Ensure students work collaboratively

●       Utilize technology and include Science and Maths content

●       Allow for multiple correct methodologies and solutions

If you manage to include these six elements in each of your lesson plans, you will be well on your way to crafting an effective STEM learning experience for your students.

Share Student Learning Objectives

This subject is, to a large degree, about trial and error. It is important that students are not afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and to try new things.

That said, it is equally important that they have a clear focus for their investigations. This means you need to be sure to share objectives with the students at the beginning of the lesson.

You can share your learning objectives orally, but it is often helpful for students to see these objectives written down, whether on the whiteboard or on the top of a task sheet.

In STEM, learning objectives shouldn’t be worded in a way that suggests an expected outcome. Rather, the objective will relate to a central question that is to be explored.

Encourage your students to refer back to this initial problem regularly throughout the lesson to ensure they are maintaining their focus. It is easy at times for students to go off on tangents due to the more open-ended nature of this subject. Be sure to draw them back to task with clearly expressed objectives.

Incorporate The Engineering Design Process

Earlier we mentioned the importance of the engineering design process for guiding students, but what is this process?

The engineering design process is a series of steps that can be followed to help students come up with a solution to their problem.

The process encourages an open-minded approach to problem-solving and works under the principle that failure is a necessary part of the learning process. That is, failures are not mistakes, but a means of refining the efficacy of the solution.

There are quite a few versions of this process out there. Usually, they vary in the number of steps but retain common underlying principles.

A little research will turn up these different variants, but here is a simple 5 step version that is very suitable for use in the classroom.

The 5 Step Engineering Design Process

1. Ask: Define the problem - without a clear idea of the problem, any further investigations will be unfocused and ineffective

2. Imagine: Explore possible solutions - brainstorm as a group, then research and analyze the various ideas that arise

3. Plan: Choose a solution to investigate - identify the resources required and outline proposed methods of investigation

4. Create: Create something - follow the plan and try things out, what went well and what did not?

5. Improve: Redesign as necessary - evaluate prototype, revise plan in light of information and knowledge gained.

Integrate Technology

Technology, of course, puts the T in STEM and it is essential that it is integrated into your STEM lessons. Like the other elements of the subject, the application of the skills of technology will be applied to find a solution to the identified problem.

When considering where exactly to integrate technology, the steps of the engineering design process above provide a good starting point.

When planning your lesson, consider what technology is available for the students to use and how it can best be employed at each of the 5 steps of the process.

For example, at Step 2 can students use the internet to research the possible solutions or to help analyze the various ideas?

 Or, when working on Step 3, can students use digital models or simulations to help investigate possible solutions?

5 Simple STEM Activities

There is no end to the number of activities that can be designed to incorporate the teaching of STEM principles in the classroom.

One of the best things about this subject is that most activities are easy to adapt and differentiate for varying ages and abilities.

It is also worth noting that when looking for STEM activities to do with your students, it is common to come across projects that have prescribed outcomes. This is true especially when the activities are aimed at younger students.

Remember, for STEM to be really meaningful there should be room for some open-ended investigation too.

A good way to test whether there is room for open-ended investigation in a project is to consider whether or not the engineering design process can be applied. Where students are working towards a predetermined outcome, there will be no room for the use of this process.

In the following section, we will take a look at 5 simple activities that can be easily adapted to suit the specific learning needs of your students, while also providing a starting point for the creation of your own ideas for STEM lessons.

1. Design a Cell Phone Stand

This activity challenges the students to design and build a simple cell phone stand using the engineering design process. Students will need a cellphone and an assortment of materials to build their designs (card, rubber bands, paperclips, lollipop sticks, glue, tape etc). Task your students with creating a cell phone stand that is functional and convenient and then compare the different designs and prototypes that emerge.

2. Build a Baking Soda Rocket

Likely your students will be aware of the explosive potential of baking soda and vinegar from making volcanoes in their kindergarten days. In this activity they will harness the same chemical reaction to power their own rockets. The challenge here is for the students is to select the best available materials to construct an aerodynamically designed craft that will fly as far as possible.

3. Blow the Best Bubbles

In this activity, students will explore which mixtures produce the best results for blowing bubbles. Provide the students with a range of options to add to water, including washing up detergent, glycerin, and light corn syrup. They’ll also need measuring cups and something to make the wands from, such as pipe cleaners for example. Students explore what ingredients make the best mixtures and in what quantities each ingredient is required. As an extension, you may challenge students to explore the best materials and shapes for making the wand too.

4. Build a Robotic Hand

Challenge your students to research the mechanics of how hands work and use the acquired knowledge to build their own robotic versions that are capable of picking up light objects. Students will learn how bones, muscles, tendons, and joints work together and come up with ideas on how to recreate artificial versions of these. Groups will need to experiment with a wide range of materials, so be sure to have a wide selection of resources available for their experimentations. As a starting point, be sure to have drinking straws, string, tweezers, modeling clay, cardboard tubes, rubber bands, and paperclips available.

5. Build the Strongest Bridge

Choose two platforms that the bridges will span. This could be a space between two large books, two tables, etc. Students should investigate various designs and shapes for their bridges and explore the load-bearing properties of various materials. The strongest bridge will span the gap and be able to bear the heaviest load. This activity can be a great way to instil a competitive element into a lesson where groups vie against each other to build the strongest bridge.

Go Get Started with STEM!

These are just a few simple ideas from which to build out a STEM focussed lesson for your students. It should be apparent that the possibilities for STEM-based investigations are endless.

Remember though, no matter what the focus of a classroom STEM investigation is, the underlying principles at play will involve students overcoming their fear of failure in favor of the rewards of trial and error.

A classroom atmosphere that encourages curiosity and courageous exploration is the one key essential.

One of the most universally used tools in schools is without a doubt, Google Classroom. Whilst many teachers are drawn to its ease of use to post announcements, share links and manage workflow, there is a deeper level in which Classroom can be used to enhance learning and teaching. How many of the following have you tried?

Increase Student Autonomy

By simply posting your own screen casts or ready made ones (Khan Academy etc.), you can empower students to learn at their own pace. Small groups can be using the digital resource while you teach face to face with another group.

HINT: post on the Classwork tab as a ‘Material’ under the relevant topic to ensure the video is easy to access. Not everything has to be an ‘Assignment’ if there isn’t anything to ‘turn in’.

Differentiate for Learning Styles

When posting an assignment, allow students to ‘Add’ evidence of their learning in whatever format they choose (within reason!) – images, videos, voice recording, screen cast, Doc, or Slides. This element of choice is not only engaging for students, it caters for different learning styles.

Make Learning Visible

Use Classroom to share out a single Doc or Slides presentation that each student can edit. This collaborative approach to learning allows students to see and learn from their peers. It not only supports weaker students by scaffolding their learning, but it provides an audience for student writing.

HUGE COLLECTION OF GOOGLE CLASSROOM GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

• Perfect tool for critical and creative thinking

• Works seamlessly with Google Classroom

• Covers all curriculum areas

• Fully Editable

Make Learning Visible

Use Classroom to share out a single Doc or Slides presentation that each student can edit. This collaborative approach to learning allows students to see and learn from their peers. It not only supports weaker students by scaffolding their learning, but it provides an audience for student writing.

I like to also share my expectations about writing in a shared Doc – Golden Rules of Team Writing.

Amplify Student Voice

Pose a short answer question (ensure it?s open ended) and students reply with their opinion.

Importantly, don’t stop the lesson there. Encourage students to then read each other’s responses and leave comments.

Use the ‘Guide to Commenting’ to help scaffold appropriate digital commenting.

Formative Assessment and Feedback

A super simple but very powerful use of Classroom is to post an ‘exit ticket’ for students to complete. You, as the teacher, can get a clear insight into how students are progressing with their learning.

Other ideas for exit tickets:

• 3 things you learnt

• 1 question you still have

• specific content related multiple choice question

Best Coding Games For Kids

In this age, where our society heavily relies on technology, coding has become an essential piece of employment qualifications. And if you wish your children to have a successful career, then it is best to give it a quick running start.

Coding for children does not merely help improve their writing and mathematical skills because it also supplies them crucial abilities in life and, ultimately, in the workforce.

Why should we become aware of the significance of coding in our kids? There are several reasons for it, but the most crucial factor for that is, if they know how to code at a younger age, it significantly increases their chances of getting their dream job in the future.

Why is coding a vital skill to learn?

Knowing the basics of programming is a vital skill not only for adults but for children as well. Specifically, for the young ones, learning the fundamentals of coding in the early stages of life provides a massive benefit. 

One advantage of this skill is that when students are capable of creating simple websites and games, it will help them polish their logic, plans, and problem-solving skills. Besides, it also enables them to formulate ideas and show creativity in uncommon ways. That is why coding is indeed a useful tool for learning for children.

As we observe how the world develops, it is evident that coding is a highly essential skill to have. Why? Because there is a rising number of institutions that rely heavily on computer code, not just the sector in technology.

A student who knows how to code at an early age will possess an advantage in life. This advantage means more opportunities in employment waiting for them in the future. Regardless of which industry they will settle in, be it in the health sector, retail sector, finance sector, or others will never be a problem because our society currently revolves around technology.

So, if you have a child who spends a lot of time playing mobile games, why not incorporate coding into it? It is an excellent way for them to learn how to code while having fun at the same time. As kids expose themselves to technology, it will surely help them become a vital part of huge corporations as they grow up.

How can you teach your child to code?

This question is probably the first one an interested parent will ask. Well, many parents are as clueless when it comes to coding as the others, and that is particularly normal.

The most beneficial component of programming is that we can learn it at any period. Although the retention of various languages can be quite hard, especially for late adults, it can still turn out to be an excellent experience.

If you are going to ask about the most effective approach for your kids to learn to code, then the answer is for you to learn it with them.

You can stimulate interest in your children if they notice you doing the same.

So, if you become interested in coding and put in a little effort to learn it, chances are your children will follow.

To help you start, here are some top coding applications for kids.

Bee-Bot

This app is available on Google Play and the App Store. The Bee-Bot floor robot inspired this coding application, which now enables the children to learn the fundamentals of programming at various levels quickly.

The little ones who learn to code may entirely use this application to enhance not their problem-solving skills alone, but also their programming skills. Bee-Bot has 12 levels encouraging progression in total. Each level is time-bound, and the quicker you complete the stage, the more stars you acquire.

It enables children to enhance their skills in directional languages together with programming through the various sequences of backward, forward, left, and right 90-degree turns in every level. 

The progression within this game will allow students to improve their knowledge and their problem-solving abilities through encountering difficult challenges throughout the various aspects of Bee-Bot.

Daisy the Dinosaur

This application is suitable for ages 5-8 and is free to download. Daisy the Dinosaur serves as an excellent foundation for programming or to assess your child’s curiosity in the topic. Kids can program Daisy and in the process, learn some fundamental practices of programming. 

Daisy the Dinosaur has a couple of sections for your students to explore, one is the free-play mode, and the other is challenge mode. 

In the free-play mode, juniors can explore with commands to see how Daisy will move as an outcome of their program. Meanwhile, in challenge mode, kids will challenge themselves to solve a presented problem.

They need to use the given commands to finish the challenge. Apply the smooth drag and drop symbols to make Daisy the Dinosaur move. This Gaming application sets the foundation for learning the fundamentals of programming.

The content in this application is not huge, but sufficient enough for a free app. 

Code Adventures: Coding Puzzles For Kids

This remarkable app is ideal for ages 6 to 8 that concentrates on child-friendly computer coding puzzles.
This game features exciting puzzles while learning how to code, loveable characters, funny sounds, engaging visuals along with around 30 puzzle stages.

The main goal of this game of puzzles is to help Aurora go home by finishing the 30 stages of challenges. Also, this app works through different levels, which include the basics, functions, and repetitive control structures (conditional loops).

Students will have to set the commands into the correct order, which indicates a practice in sequencing ability. Besides, they will find the necessity to repeat the commands to help move the character around, as each movement hardly takes it one block in any direction.

The app slowly introduces different puzzle details such as ladders, movable bridges, flying platforms, and portals, which makes the programming even more enjoyable.

Children will solve tricky puzzles while learning how to code. It also grants an excellent opportunity for a family to bond together while stimulating the child’s curiosity in STEM subjects.

Kodable

This coding application cuts down computer science into the fundamental thoughts that children require to build a stable foundation in life. 

Kodable gives materials that concentrate on subjects ranging from communication and social-emotional knowledge to the real influence of computer science in the world.

This application hosts lessons for coding and games for children between 5 and 10. The main objective of Kodable is to assist elementary school educators in bringing programming basics into the classroom in the form of a game. 

While Kodable is indeed useful in the classroom setting, parents can also take advantage of this app to teach coding to their kids in an engaging and entertaining method. The design of the teaching guide of this app is so excellent that even people who have no experience in coding at all can also use it.

Kodable applies the sets of principles and processes of JavaScript, which makes it an outstanding source to learn to code for beginners. 

While this app focuses on younger ages, older children can take classes regarding JavaScript too. It will lead learners through the concepts of programming using various challenges and games, such as maneuvering a labyrinth. 

Kodable is one of the best apps for coding because it also enhances vital skills such as problem-solving abilities, social-emotional learning, decision-making abilities, communication skills, and a lot more.

ScratchJr

This game is a free coding application for young children.  With the help of ScratchJr, kids ages 5 to 7 can program their games and stories. While having fun, children will develop their skills in problem-solving, project designing, and will be capable of expressing themselves creatively.

Students snap together blocks to help make the characters move, sing, dance, and jump. They can also modify the characters in the app using the paint editor, add their voice, and even add their photos, which can truly develop their imagination and creativity.

Furthermore, as children learn how to design projects and solve problems while playing the game, they can also enhance their abilities in sequencing, which is an essential factor throughout life.

To Conclude

A lot of people believe that teaching students to code is almost an impossible task, and they are correct. However, if you introduce yourself in these coding apps and by recognising the benefits of coding in your children, then you would probably change your mind.

Teaching the little ones how to code will truly be advantageous for them, particularly later in life. Not only that, learning how to code at an early age would grant them a skill that they can utilize throughout their lives, but it would also prepare them for several new careers that will arise. 

This effect is a result of the rising inclination of the current generation towards technology, which makes it more reasonable for every parent to introduce coding to their kids.

2018 has almost passed us by, and without your support, by visiting this site it would have been a really tough year.

So the best way that we feel we can thank you is to give you a little present to get you through the Christmas season in the classroom.

There is plenty of different content here to keep your students engaged, and save your sanity as we wrap up 2018.

Download our 57 page Christmas Activity book COMPLETELY FREE HERE. Have a great Christmas and a happy new year.

Regards

Kev and Belinda

I am going to put in a shameless plug here for my first ever book. It has taken me over three years to complete outside of raising a family with my lovely wife and working full time.

It is available now in digital epub and Printable PDF format here and in hardcover via Amazon.

It has been getting rave reviews on TpT and I can strongly recommend it for all teachers.

Teaching STEM, Digital Technologies and Critical Thinking presents data literacy, coding, robotics, digital systems, critical and computational thinking in a structured manner teachers can understand and follow with ease.

This interactive DIGITAL and / or PRINT book provides teachers with the skills to navigate the information era with confidence.  Creating students who are...

• Technology creators; not just consumers.  Possessing an understanding of computer science, hardware, and software.

• Critical and Analytical Thinkers who can solve complex problems through researched and proven methods.

• Highly Data literate; and can collect, manipulate and organize data for varied audiences and purpose.

• Able to challenge technology when required, through an understanding of algorithms, data mining and digital citizenship.

Countries around the world are making these skills a compulsory part of the curriculum to provide students with the skills to think and do.  They understand that the industrial era has passed and we now require teachers and students with initiative, higher order thinking skills, and digital literacy skills. This book is aligned with the Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum, United States Common Core and British Curriculum.

Now in its third edition, this book provides hundreds of visual examples of making STEM, Digital Technologies and Critical Thinking actionable tasks in your classroom.  It also provides case studies and context to the skills being taught so that you can talk the talk, and walk the walk in this space.

This book is an essential resource for not only specialists involved in learning technologies, but generalist teachers looking for new and engaging strategies to teach their students to problem solve, better integrate technology and build the skill set required to contribute to modern society.

About the Author:

Kevin Cummins is a lifelong learner and educator in the space of Digital Technologies and STEM.

Kevin has taught at primary, secondary and tertiary levels internationally  Currently, he works in Victoria, Australia as a Learning Technologies consultant with over sixty schools, presenting professional development to teachers and students on a regular basis.

Kevin has a Masters In Learning Technologies from the University of Melbourne and runs educational websites which are visited by millions of teachers annually on these topics.

Kevin is a teacher, husband, and father to three wonderful children and is actively trying to make a difference to our educational systems, curriculum and classrooms to provide genuine 21st-century teaching and learning opportunities that make a difference to student outcomes.

Many people alive today can’t remember a time before the internet; it can be easy to forget how recently the internet was closer to science fiction than reality. In a little over forty years, the internet has evolved from a small network to an almost infinite source of information available around the world -- and even in outer space.

This interactive website is a great opportunity to introduce students and teachers into the people, technology and events that led us to where we currently are in cyberspace.

Mathcracker.com is a cornucopia of math tools, calculators, solvers, and tutorials all in one
place that is a one-stop solution for the vast majority of math calculations and operations that
the student or professional needs to perform, whether for assignments, theses, reports, or
professional documents. The tools run the gamut from basic to advanced math calculations,
with 120 tools and growing. The solvers, graphing tools, and “math cracks”, which are
Mathcracker’s signature form of plain English tutorials, are all accessible from an easily
navigable menu bar with drop down menus. The number and high quality of the tools are
quite impressive, and all the tools are available for free!

To give an idea of the range of tools you can choose from, starting with the categories of
algebra, calculus, statistics, or probability calculators, you are then led to a variety of
calculators and solvers under the same category. You’ll find calculators for cross product, dot
product, permutation coefficient, factorial of a number, absolute value, algebraic expression,
angle conversion between degrees and radians, arithmetic sequences, area and volume of a
circle, cone, cube, and cylinder, and the list goes on and on. For probability and statistics,
you’ll find 11 pages of tools, including calculators for chi square test for goodness of fit,
Kruskal-Wallis test, Lamda coefficient, critical Chi square values, uniform probability
calculator, ANOVA, Cramer’s V, Z test, F test for the equality of two population variances,
relative risk, odds ratio, effect size Cohen’s d, binomial probability, and many more. There are
graphing tools for bar charts, box plots, functions, histograms, line charts, pie charts, scatter
plots, time series, and many more. To list all the tools here would take several pages, so the
recommended approach is just to go see for yourself.

Each tool comes with clear instructions on what it does, how to use it and what information to
enter. To use a calculator or solver, you enter the information you want into the appropriate
labeled form field boxes in the calculator. Each element of the calculator is labeled so you
know what information to enter and where to type it in. Upon pushing a bright yellow
“calculate” button, you are provided with the solution along with a brief explanation of the
background of the concept you are working with and how to interpret the result. If for any
reason you did not enter the right information or you are missing information, upon clicking

“calculate”, you will be presented with a message in red indicating to you what you are
missing so you can check your information. This is really helpful because sometimes
beginners or the less well-versed in math don’t necessarily know exactly what type of
information they need to solve a given problem, so the tool nudges you in the right direction.

To understand the background of the people who created this site, according to the designers
of the site, who include PhD’s with backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, engineering, and
education, the site emerged out of a desire to make math transparent and accessible to
people from many different backgrounds, including those with strong math skills as well as
those who are not so comfortable performing high level mathematics. Currently, the site is
used by students and professionals all over the world as a cornerstone math resource. They
have been linked to by major universities, teachers’ personal blogs, and included in
classroom curriculum.

The ease of use and completeness of the tools makes them compatible with the needs of a
wide variety of people and projects, and the solution and graphic outputs are of a high quality
and can be used in reports and for educational purposes. Far and away, this is an excellent
and advantageous resource for anyone who needs to perform calculus, algebra, statistics or
probability calculations for nearly any conceivable purpose, and can replace many of the
functionalities of other proprietary software programs.

https://mathcracker.com

Just a quick free resource we created you can download right now...

⏳TEACH TIME⏳ - , BUILD TESTS or copy and paste into ANYTHING YOU WANT with this FREE set of super high quality, 300 DPI, 8 inch clock faces. At 290 images, you’ll never have to search for that exact clip art again. **THESE ARE LICENSED FOR FULL COMMERCIAL USE

Click here to download this FREE resource

***************************************************************************
THIS FREEBIE IS TAKEN FROM OUR 5 MINUTE INTERVAL CLOCK FACE CLIP ART BUNDLE WHICH YOU CAN DOWNLAOD HERE FOR UNDER $3.00 HOW GOOD IS THAT???

⭐ Clock Face / Time Clip Art (5 Minute Intervals) 290 Graphics for commercial use

These 290 IMAGES are spaced at 5-minute intervals covering all 12 hours. We have also included a blank clock that you can customize yourself. These were professionally designed for quality and size, so you can blow them up to a full-sized PowerPoint with no pixilation and no loss in quality.
 

David has written an insightful book about the 'Broken' American education system which is really worth a read.  As a result I have given the David the very rare opportunity to share some insights about himself and his great book below.  Please note that this is NOT a paid article.  We never receive payment for articles.

I’m not humble-bragging when I tell you that I’ve been stunned by the praise piling up for We’re Doing It Wrong: 25 Ideas in Education That Just Don’t Work – And How to Fix Them. I was hesitant to begin the project (my first work of nonfiction), unsure whether there was really any need for a collection of thoughts that, in my opinion, were 1) mostly common sense and 2) shared by many, if not most, teachers I’ve worked with over nearly twenty years. In other words, I feared wasting my time stating the obvious.

Teachers who read early drafts of the book confirmed that they shared many of my opinions – but pointed out that no one ever asks for them. And it’s true: in all the endless chatter about public schools, the last people consulted on how they operate and might be improved are the people who actually work in them. Seeing their views and experiences working in an increasingly fraught environment reflected by a fellow teacher felt like a victory all by itself for many of the book’s first readers. It was equally exciting that a slew of educational gurus found the book worthy as well, experts who’ve read and written countless books on the subject.

But perhaps the best news is that WDIR has also been appealing to non-teachers. It’s been gratifying to hear from folks who are finding the book valuable in combating the chaos of misperceptions the general public has about public education. Everyone knows our schools have issues, but they really don’t know what they are. What they do know is that they’re tired of being told what to think about education by people with zero training in it – and who have never stepped foot in an actual classroom.

We’re Doing It Wrong is for everyone who wants to hear from people who spend every single day, year after year, in the classroom doing the hard work of teaching. It’s a conversation for them – for you I hope – and I’m humbled and honored to do my part in getting it started. If you’re interested, we’re continuing this critical dialogue at www.weredoingitwrong.com, where anyone with strong opinions about education are encouraged to share their thoughts.

There is little doubt video is both the present and future of self paced learning, and this week I was contacted by an Australian teacher Chris Burgess who is taking this concept to new heights by creating his own animated high quality educational content at ViralEd. 

It is great to see innovative teachers who can speak the language of modern day teachers and students, and I commend him for this.  His animations and instruction are excellent.

I first and foremost highly recommend checking out ViralEd and subscribing as I know he is working on loads of great new content as we speak.

Below is a sample of the great content he is producing.  If you read on after the video I asked Chris to supply some background about ViralEd.  

So great stuff Chris, keep up the good work and don't forget to subscribe to his channel.

(The content below was written by Chris.) 

About ViralEd
We are a newly formed YouTube channel that creates both enjoyable and easy to understand animated videos that cover a variety of subjects. Unlike most channels our videos we are unique, being made up of teachers, we understand what is needed in the videos, meaning all videos are relevant. As a teacher, we found that videos to support content being taught were hard to come by and therefore this channel was created.
Channel Link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGtdKQw0oZK1u5szxXr9MEA

Check out the videos at our channel the link is provided above. If you like the videos hit the like button, leave a comment on something you think can be improved or subscribe so you don’t miss out on any videos in the future.

Target Audience
If you’re a teacher, pre-service teacher or just someone who loves learning new things this channel is perfect for you. These videos will assist you in your classroom as a visual aid to back up the content being taught. This will therefore assist students in gaining a greater understanding. ‘

Future Aspirations
We currently produce 1 video a week, covering Science and Health and Physical Education topics. As the channel grows in popularity we have planned to cover a wider range of topics and work to producing more frequent videos. We are also working towards providing lesson plans that accompany the videos.

If you are a teacher required to, or keen to teach your students how to code but have no idea where to start, fear not.

The Catholic Education Office Ballarat has created a self paced course for teachers and students designed to run between 7 - 12 weeks.  And it's all completely free. 

It offers a mixture of plugged, and unplugged sessions and even a robotics module.  Students in grades 3 - 6 can learn everything around coding and algorithms in a structured, engaging and logical manner.

Absolutely everything you need is here, including tutorial videos, resources, assessment tasks and even links to the Victorian curriculum. 

The course can be found here and is highly recommended.

bit.ly/ceocoding

Computational Thinking is being adopted through curriculum the world over as an essential thinking and problem solving strategy every student should know to survive in the 21st century workforce.

Don't let the name scare you though, computational thinking is  an incredibly simple concept which doesn't even require a computer.  Students aged 5 and up can apply it, and you have probably been using parts of it for decades without actually knowing.

It is a four step thinking process that can be applied to any problem, challenge or task.  The four steps are decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithmic design.  Be sure to watch the video below for a detailed explanation each of the four elements and how they work together. 

When you are ready to give computational thinking a go be sure to download our FREE COMPUTATIONAL THINKING GRAPHIC ORGANIZER which briefly explains the purpose, order of operations and context of Computational Thinking

Click here to download.  And, as always enjoy!!

When I first started teaching many moons ago finding resources on the internet was quite a different process to what it is today.

There was a lot less commercialism, things were a great deal more disorganised and so on... I always remembered using a website with my kids called Jenny Eather's writing fun which just had great ideas for teachers and students about teaching different styles of writing.  It was really easy to use, engaging for the kids and just made sense... It was great.

Anyhow, writing fun got bought out by a larger company and became a paid website which greatly reduced it's appeal.

But last week I was introduced to a very similar site to writing fun called literacyideas.com.  It's completely free, broken down into different styles of writing and actually has a a load of great free content to downlaod or share on an interactive screen with your students.

I strongly recommned taking a look at literacyideas.com if you teach writing to primary / elementary students and would love to hear if you know of any other great sites similar to this. 

The next round of the BEBRAS Australia computational thinking challenge is occurring over the following weeks for teachers and students from years 3 - 12.

This is similar to challenges such as the Math's Olympiad but is more focused on general problem solving and use of logic. It is completely free and offers amazing data and analytics for students and teachers who are participating.

Above all else Bebras offers highly engaging resources and teaching and learning opportunities which are globally recognised as key components of a 21st century curriculum.

I can't recommend this enough for all teachers and am confident it will become a regular event on your school calendar.

http://www.bebras.edu.au/