Ms. Coutts' Class

Category: Applied Design Skills and Technologies (Page 1 of 2)

Hour of Code

December 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Hour of Code takes place during Computer Science Education Week, which is this week!

The idea behind Hour of Code is to get everyone participating in a coding activity at some point throughout the week. Students have all different levels of experience with coding, and it has become part of our B.C. curriculum.

This photo is from when I visited UHE for Hour of Code in 2019 to teach some coding, back when I held a district position.

While we understand that not all students will grow up to become programmers, learning coding and computational thinking in school helps demystify the powers that drive our everyday technologies, broadens participation in the field of computer science, and nurtures problem solving skills. It is essentially a new literacy needed as our children grow up and navigate the world.

At school, I try to balance the amount of screen time with the technology tools and skills students are expected to learn. Students will continue to have access to some of the coding links I will show them today, but please feel free to limit/guide your child in their use of the links I provided (even if it IS “for school!”)

Investigating Properties

November 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Division 5 has been learning about properties as one part of computational thinking in Applied Design Skills and Technologies (ADST). A couple of weeks ago, Ms. Gammon took us over to SFU to identify and compare some local plants and learn how they were/are used by Coast Salish people. Students had to examine the properties of the plants in order to identify them.

As part of our morning provocation discussions, we have been using a game called “Figure It Out” to practice identifying properties and giving evidence to back up our thinking. The great thing about this game is that there is no ONE right answer!

Check out these slides below for a fun discussion at home.

Digital Compositions

May 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Students have been learning how to find and manipulate images using various settings in Microsoft Word.

They were tasked with creating a composition using 5-6ish images that would represent who they are. They have learned about copyright and creative commons images, how to insert pictures from within Word (using “Online Images,” “Icons,” and uploading from Files), and how to find copyright-safe images using Pixabay. (However, I have a suspicion that they are still developing their understanding of copyright based on some of the images they’ve included!) Students also learned the difference between a regular image and a vector, and students can now create their own vector using the Remove BG website. We focused on how layering images can create a cohesive composition, in addition to manipulating image size, crop, and rotation.

Below is our “digital bulletin board.” Please click on the thumbnail to see the larger size.

 

Maker Mondays

April 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Most Mondays students have a chance to explore a variety of hands-on ADST (Applied Design Skills and Technologies) activities. Students work together using critical and creative thinking in their problem solving, and strengthening interpersonal skills through communication. They are always very proud of their creations and eager to share! They’ve been asking me to do a post highlighting what they’ve been working on, so I will be adding to the gallery below as I take more photos. Keep checking back!

Some of the activities include:

  • Textiles – knitting, crochet
  • Strings and Beads – friendship bracelets
  • Keva Blocks
  • Card Structures
  • Lego
  • Pattern Blocks
  • Turing Tumble (a physical “computer”)
  • Snap Circuits
  • Paper Cutting
  • Sculpting
  • Geoboards

 

Media Balance

January 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Division 5 is beginning to explore digital literacy and citizenship skills. We will be learning how to use technology in helpful ways, about our digital footprints and online privacy, how we interact with others, how to find information safely, and how we can keep a healthy balance between media and non-media in our lives.

The following information is from Common Sense Education, a digital literacy resource I have been using for many years. You can also check out this family activity that can help with discussions around digital balance at home.

From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to shows, games, and information. Parents and caregivers love that kids can learn on the go (and stay busy when dinner’s cooking). But it’s easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices.

Thinking in 3D

May 12, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Division 3 learned the skill of isometric drawing, or isometric projection, which is a graphic representation used by engineers, technical illustrators (drafters), and sometimes architects. Isometric drawing is a technical drawing style that makes two-dimensional figures appear three-dimensional. From Greek for “equal measure,” isometric images can illustrate interiors, exteriors, objects, etc, using height, width, and depth to create the illusion of a 3D perspective.

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Finding Balance in a Digital World

April 3, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Division 3 is learning to identify and reflect on the habits they have with digital media and devices.

From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to TV shows, games, and information.

Parents and caregivers love that kids can stay in contact while they explore their independence. But it’s easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically.

Check out these tips from Common Sense Media to keep media and tech use in check.

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Language and Knowledge

March 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Humans all over the world define our knowledge, values, culture, and worldviews through the language we use. Today Division 3 looked at Inuktitut syllabics and listened to the language.

Inuktitut includes many different dialects, and is written today using two methods: Qaniujaqpait (syllabics) and Roman orthography. Many Inuit communities are working on revitalizing and continuing to teach/learn Inuktitut to maintain traditional knowledge. Inuit use their language to describe places, phenomena, and relationships unique to them. This is reflective of the deep relationship they have with the land, as well as the complex understandings about nature they have learned from their environment. Like in other languages, Inuktitut ties Inuit to their ancestors, family members, and neighbours. It is a way for them to unite and ensure that their cultures endures for generations to come.

Check out some of these games made for children (and really anyone) to develop some understanding of Inuktitut.

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