Kindergarten teacher Deanna Pecaski McLennan, PhD, takes readers on a journey through her own kindergarten classroom and how she’s actively cultivating computational thinking in her students through a Reggio Emilia lens and emergent curriculum. Using photos, vignettes, narrative, and more than eighty unplugged coding activities, this book will help readers better understand what coding is and how they can begin to implement easy and developmentally appropriate coding games and activities into their early childhood programs.
Chapter 1: From Following a Map to Coding Our Own Journey
Chapter 2: Connecting Reggio Emilia to Computational Thinking
Chapter 3: Introducing and Manipulating the Coding Board
Hardware Free Exploration
Introducing Algorithms
Reading and Writing Algorithms
Grid Paper Coding
Introducing Perspective
Introducing Obstacles
Looping Beads
Loopy Exercise Lines
Exercise Loops
What’s Wrong with my Pattern
What’s Wrong with my Code?
Which Code Does Not Belong
Chapter 4: Mindful Makers
Using Read Alouds to Cultivate a Makerspace and Growth Mindset
Chalkboard Roads and Chalk Block Structures
Paper Sculpting
Cardboard Pinball Games
Pegboard Construction
Complex Sensory Runs
Rube Goldberg Machines
Everyday Inventions
LEGO Marble Runs
Vehicle Races
Chapter 5: Creating a Sense of Community Using Unplugged Coding
Creating Coding Paths with Foam Mats
Straw and Connector Paths
Coding with Magnets
LEGO Pathways
Creating Coding Paths with Pentominoes
Using Books to Explore Community
Community Walks
Mapping the Community
Code the Classroom
Secret Maps
Introducing the Coordinate Grid
Four in a Row Coordinate Game
Race to Fill the Grid Game
Secret Coordinate Codes
Chapter 6: Creative Coding
Creative Coding Dance
Roll and Move Coding Dice
Creative Movement Coding Race
Code a Song (Water and Spoon Melody)
Roll a Piece of Art
Color Mixing Algorithms
Pattern Block Tessellations
Pixel Pictures
Follow the Leader Grid Art
ASCII Beading Codes
Pool Noodle Binary Codes
Coding Players on a Large Grid
Outdoor Coding Card Lines
Obstacle Course Coding
Hopscotch Coding
Sidewalk Coding
Collect the Parts Race (Snowman Hunt)
Chapter 7: Coding to Support Literacy
Coder Says, Robot Does
Coding with Sequencing Cards
First, Then, Next, Finally
Routine Retell Algorithm
Directional Arrows in Dramatic Playscapes
Pattern Block Barrier Game
Unifix Cube Creations
Lifecycle Sequence Coding
Grid Retells
Retelling Favorite Stories Using Coding Stones
Story Maps
Individual Blueprint Journals
Code a Letter
Alphabet (or Number) Sequence
Crack the Code
Boolean Logic Guess Who!
ASCII LEGO Code
Chapter 8: Coding to Encourage Playful Math
Coding on Ten Frames
Coding on the Hundreds Grid
Superhero Rescue
Find the Treasure
Collect the Hearts
Can You Build It?
Sorting Algorithms Game
Elevator Ride
Pentomino Puzzle
Coding Dice
Build a Grid Shape
Pentomino Coding Path
