Social discussion of CS in K-12

[Todd Lash <lashtodd AT champaignschools.org>]

Hi everyone,

I believe any confusion stems from some of the discussion within the thread.  The initial description of the program included a mention of this being "a talk" but was followed by something about a competition and seeing which schools could do something as much as they can, or something along those lines.  Then Mike chimed in and started waxing poetic on some ideas that were larger in scope (and very interesting).

Maybe just hammering out what exactly the program involves (i.e. single or multiple visits, time commitment etc.) would help clear things up?  A single visit would certainly not be something that would traditionally need to go through Curriculum Steering, but if we are talking multiple visits, ongoing programs etc., then I see no harm in having CS take a crack at it.   

Thanks,

Todd

Todd Lash

Librarian

Kenwood Elementary School

1001 Stratford Dr. 

Champaign, IL 61821

217.351.3815

The Kenwood Tech Story

"We live in a participatory culture.  Technology is not transformative.  Teaching and pedagogies are transformative.  Technology is just a means to that end.  We've got to teach our kids to think outside the box, to celebrate unique thinking and unexpected results."  --Ewan McIntosh

---

From: ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu <ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu> on behalf of Kristine Chalifoux <kmchalifoux AT aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2014 9:20 AM
To: Kerris Lee; Jennifer White
Cc: ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: Re: [Ctrl-Shift] science class question

 

I don't think this is really a change in curriculum, just an opportunity to enhance what we already teach.

 

Kristine Chalifoux

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kerris Lee <kerrislee28 AT gmail.com>
To: Jennifer White <whiteje AT champaignschools.org>
Cc: ctrl-shift <ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu>
Sent: Wed, Jun 18, 2014 10:15 pm
Subject: Re: [Ctrl-Shift] science class question

Also I am on the curriculum steering committee. Let me know how I can help.

In addition a U4 innovative group might be of service in this area. Just some thoughts

Best

Kerris Lee
Sent from my mobile device

On Jun 18, 2014 5:52 PM, "Jennifer White" <whiteje AT champaignschools.org> wrote:

I think the idea of a talk or presentation for our students could be quite beneficial. When you start talking curriculum however, this becomes a much bigger issue. Science curriculum has been written and adopted over the past several years K-8 through the work of our former curriculum coordinator and many science teachers in the district. Much of this curriculum has already been written to address the recently adopted Next Generation Science Standards. 

Future curriculum discussions should occur at the district level and should go through our Curriculum Steering team. There is a process to be followed even when things are just being piloted. 

If anyone feels the need to learn more about the curriculum steering process or the Next Generation Science standards, let me know and I would be happy to arrange a meeting. 

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 18, 2014, at 4:42 PM, "Mike Royse" <royse.innovations AT gmail.com> wrote:

I can imagine a number of different approaches. This could be pretty simple or go all the way to pilot curriculum. American Water has been thinking about having some curriculum developed that would better contextualize water, the systems involved, and ultimately the role of the water infrastructure provider. American has been in dialog with NGREC about this and is thinking about it from a STEM/STEAM perspective. I wonder if Ameren would have similar motivations?

On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 3:04 PM, Jennifer White <whiteje AT champaignschools.org> wrote:

​6th grade covers alternative sources of energy and 7th grade covers electricity and magnetism.  The format of the presentation is what I am wondering about...whole school assembly?  Visits/talks to individual classes?

Jennifer White, M.S., M.Ed., NBCT

Jefferson Middle School

8th grade Science and AVID

Science Building Leader

AVID Site Coordinator

Vice President, Champaign Federation of Teachers

https://sites.google.com/site/mswhites8thgradescience/

---

From: ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu <ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu> on behalf of Kristine Chalifoux <kmchalifoux AT aol.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 2:58 PM
To: reese AT illinois.edu; Todd Lash; misrael AT illinois.edu
Cc: ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: Re: [Ctrl-Shift] science class question

 

To the science teachers in the bunch...

 

Would there be any interest in having Ameren Illinois come into middle school science classes and giving a talk on energy efficiency?  As part of the talk, they also give each kid a box with energy efficiency stuff they can take home and use.  It probably has CFLs, faucet aerators, and a few other things.  This is a standard program they have for schools.

 

The director of sustainability in Urbana is looking at having a competition between the middle schools of Champaign and Urbana to see who does this the most (or something along those lines).  They are trying to get funding so there is a prize too!

 

I know you all are busy just trying to cover the curriculum.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Kristine Chalifoux

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: George Reese <reese AT illinois.edu>
To: 'Todd Lash' <lashtodd AT champaignschools.org>; 'Israel, Maya' <misrael AT illinois.edu>
Cc: ctrl-shift <ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu>
Sent: Wed, Jun 18, 2014 2:06 pm
Subject: Re: [Ctrl-Shift] doodle poll reminder

Yes, let’s go for 6 PM tomorrow (Thursday). Cowboy Monkey if it’s sunny, the Quality if there’s rain.

George

 

From: Todd Lash [mailto:lashtodd AT champaignschools.org]
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 9:36 AM
To: Israel, Maya; Reese, George Clifford
Cc: ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: RE: [Ctrl-Shift] doodle poll reminder

 

​I could make it tomorrow if we are still on.

Thanks,

Todd

 

Todd Lash

Librarian

Kenwood Elementary School

1001 Stratford Dr. 

Champaign, IL 61821

217.351.3815

The Kenwood Tech Story

 

"We live in a participatory culture.  Technology is not transformative.  Teaching and pedagogies are transformative.  Technology is just a means to that end.  We've got to teach our kids to think outside the box, to celebrate unique thinking and unexpected results."  --Ewan McIntosh

---

From: ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu <ctrl-shift-bounces AT lists.mste.illinois.edu> on behalf of Israel, Maya <misrael AT illinois.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 9:10 AM
To: Reese, George Clifford
Cc: ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: Re: [Ctrl-Shift] doodle poll reminder

 

I’m assuming we are still meeting tomorrow evening? 

 

Maya

 

Maya Israel, Ph.D.
Department of Special Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

276B Education Building
1310 South 6th Street
Champaign, IL 61820
misrael AT illinois.edu 

http://education.illinois.edu/sped/people/misrael 

 

On Jun 18, 2014, at 8:19 AM, George Reese <reese AT illinois.edu> wrote:

Kerris and I have made a doodle poll to see if we can find a better time for
the rest of the summer and the fall. The poll is at
http://doodle.com/xbwrust2pzfqkwc9

Please let us know what time is least bad for the summer/fall meetings.
No doubt most of the summer gatherings will be small. So, think of this poll
as primarily looking for a fall 2014 time.

Thanks to those who have already filled it out.

-George



George Reese
Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE)
505 East Green St.
Suite 102
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6604




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--

Mike Royse

Community Innovations Consultant

390-3877

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