Let's Code! with Mr Bob

Coding is integrated into years 1-6 at Montessori Community School. Students use a variety of applications, websites, robots and devices, each appropriate to student grade-level. The instruction is called Let's code! with Mr Bob and includes the following programs.

Years 1 & 2

First and second year students are introduced to coding via the ScratchJr app on Apple iPad.  From ScratchJr.org - ScratchJr is an introductory programming language that enables young children (ages 5-7) to create their own interactive stories and games. Children snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. Children can modify characters in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds, even insert photos of themselves -- then use the programming blocks to make their characters come to life.

Years 3 & 4

Third and Fourth year students code Wonder Workshops's Dot and Dash robots using the Blocky app on Apple iPads.  Dot and Dash are interactive robots that responding to voice, navigate objects, and can even be programmed to dance and sing.  Dot and Dash expand on the foundations of year 1 and 2, as students explore variables, events, conditionals and more advanced coding concepts.

Year 5

Fifth year students use the code.org website.  Students create their very own webpage, game, app or story as they explore the foundational concepts of programming using drag and drop blocks. Further, students learn to create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks.  

Year 6

Sixth year students use Apple Swift playgrounds.  Swift Playgrounds is an iPad app from Apple that makes learning and experimenting with code interactive and fun. Students can solve puzzles to master the basics using Swift, a powerful programming language created by Apple and used by the pros to build many of today’s most popular apps.