(Microworlds) in the 5th grade, Scratch in the 6th, and Runtime Revolution
in the 8th. (Runtime Revolution is a successor to the old HyperCard --
for those oldtimers like me -- and is a terrific multi-media environment
with a powerful yet easy-to-understand scripting language behind it.
Infinitely better than HyperStudio.)
I'm in the process of creating an online version of my 8th grade
programming curriculum; I'll post when it's done (probably not before
summer).
Our department feels that exposure to different languages helps students
learn to transfer skills from one environment to another -- a valuable
tool for anybody to have in their toolbox. Any of the java environments
(Karel, Alice, Greenfoot) we leave until high school; java's syntax is too
complex to have middle schoolers spend time on.
A couple of notes on other replies:
Ann Hammel suggested "How to Design Programs". I totally agree, and have
used it in high school courses. However, you might need to water it down
for middle schoolers -- the text, not the core ideas. I'm thinking of
creating a similar design recipe to use with Scratch; if anyone would like
to join me in this endeavor, they would be welcome!
Lucy Grey suggested "Computer Science Unplugged". While a fine resource,
it doesn't address very many issues of programming; it wouldn't be a good
basis to plan a programming course around.
Anyone else planning on going to the Scratch@MIT conference in July? Hope
to see some of you there!
- marty
--
Marty Billingsley
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
> From: Carol <csukonec@PENNCHARTER.COM>
>
> I am interested in creating a middle school course in programming.
> Scratch
> is already being introduced in our enrichment program in our lower school.
> Programs I am considering are Alice, Starlogo, Microworlds, HTML. If
> anyone
> is teaching a programming course(s) either as part of the curriculum or in
> an after school setting I would like to hear what you are teaching. If
> there
> is a written curriculum would you be willing to share it? Are there other
> programs you might suggest I consider?
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