Kindergarteners Explore the World of Coding
This December, in celebration of "Hour of Code," Kindergarteners had the exciting opportunity to dive into the world of coding! Led by Lower School Innovation Specialist Mrs. Leddy, students explored the basics of programming in a fun and interactive way during one of several Tinker Time sessions.
To kick off this particular lesson, Mrs. Leddy introduced the concept of coding by reading the book "Doll-E 1.0" by Shanda McCloskey. The STEM-friendly story follows a young girl who upgrades her doll to be her new friend, highlighting themes of creativity and innovation. After the story, students got hands-on with coding through a unique activity where they experienced both sides of programming: being a "programmer" and a "computer."
In pairs, each student wore a fun headband identifying them as either the "programmer" or the "computer." The "programmer" gave clear instructions to the "computer" on how to build a LEGO tower, using only verbal commands. The twist? The students were seated back-to-back, making communication crucial. After completing their towers, the pairs discovered whether their structures were the same or if they didn't match—indicating there was a "bug in the code."
The activity not only taught students how coding works but also emphasized problem-solving and teamwork. We're excited to see what other learning adventures await in Kindergarten Tinker Time this year!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
