Block Coding and Programming Basics
Audience: K-5 teachers
Length: 3 hours
Block coding programs allow for powerful and effective introduction to coding. This workshop
explores ScratchJr and Scratch block coding environments to develop an understanding of three core programming concepts; data structures, abstraction, and control flow. Develop a concept map showing how sub-concepts are applied in block coding.
Text-Based Coding and Programming Basics
Audience: 6-12 teachers
Length: 3 hours
Text-based coding programs mirror the developer environments used in real-world settings. This workshop explores the Replit coding platform to develop fluency with computing concepts and experience the creativity inherent to solving computing challenges. Develop a coding lesson plan following the Use-Modify-Create (UMC) framework.
CS Pedagogy and Instructional Strategies
Audience: K-5 teachers or 6-8 teachers
Length: 3 hours
Computer science is a relative subject matter newcomer to K-12 classrooms. Why is computer science important? What are best practices when teaching computer science? This workshop covers the most up-to-date research and provides examples of various instructional strategies. Develop a plan for supporting diverse learners in computer science classrooms.
Computational Thinking and Data in the Classroom
Audience: K-5 teachers or 6-8 teachers
Length: 3 hours
Computational thinking is an essential skill that benefits students across content areas, grade levels, and applications.This session explores the everyday uses of computational thinking and identifies opportunities for use within various subject areas. Develop a plan for integrating at least one computational thinking concept into an upcoming lesson.
Standards and Meaningful Assessment for Computer Science
Audience: K-5 teachers or 6-8 teachers
Length: 3 hours
Computer science provides opportunities to measure students’ learning across a variety of outcomes, including grade-level standards and post-secondary readiness skills. This workshop explores various assessment approaches, and considers how each contributes to a holistic view of students’ learning. Develop an action plan for a more meaningful in-classroom assessment practice.
Computer Science Professional Development for Teachers
Computer science as a discipline is new to many teachers. Some teachers may lack subject-matter expertise – but that shouldn’t stop them from learning and leading their students in high-quality computer science experiences. With the right training, experiences, and opportunity for reflective practice, we believe that any teacher can coach their students through engaging computer science lessons even if they are learning content alongside them. Teachers who allow students insight into their own continuous learning are modeling academic tenacity and a growth mindset. We are ready to support educators as they embark on their computer science literacy learning journey and grow into confident practitioners.
Teaching Computer Science with Virtual Professional Development Workshops
Our computer science professional development philosophy includes the belief that educators should step directly into the role of learners, so that they interact with computer science learning materials in much the same way their students will. In doing so, teachers benefit from the modeling of facilitation, teaching computer science resources, and utilizing best practices used by their workshop leaders.
We provide a comprehensive professional development solution that deepens teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge, increases their overall self-efficacy in the area of computer science instruction, and provides them with the right amount of support for further differentiating or modifying their instruction to meet students’ learning needs.
High-Level Outcomes
CS Pedagogy and Instructional Practices
- Support teachers’ understanding of the field of computer science and best practices for approaching the teaching of computer science in K-12.
- Support teachers’ ability to provide exceptional computer science learning experiences for a diverse student population.
Block Coding and Programming Basics
- Relate core programming concepts and subconcepts to functions in block coding environments.
- Articulate clear learning outcomes for students’ use of core programming concepts based on K-12 computer science standards and progressions.
CT and Data
- Support students through the process of computational thinking.
- Integrate computational thinking practices into regular instruction with students.
- Apply data-analysis techniques to data sets in support of cross-curricular project-based learning.
Standards and Assessment
- Use frequent and varied assessment methods to support students’ learning across broad outcomes.
- Leverage student misconceptions in teachable moments.
- Expand students’ creative and problem-solving toolkits through the use of growth-mindset and design process thinking.
Learn more about our curriculum!
Start a free trial to preview Ellipsis Education curriculum, or schedule a 30-minute call to explore our courses with one of our curriculum experts. You will preview curriculum features such as syllabi, lesson plans, and standards mapping.