Sunday, February 9, 2014

Guest Writer and Things to Come!

Guest Writer

This week I have asked a student to write and reflect on our Hour Of Code experience.  Below is Uma's reflection. 

The Magic of Coding

Coding is like magic to me.  When my first command popped up on the screen, I lit up inside.  Each command was like I had cast a new magic spell. But just like spells, some parts of making a snowman with coding are harder than others. For me, I got frustrated with the arms of the snowman. The lines kept turning out to what seemed to be the opposite of what I wanted them to be.  It took me a lot of patience and many attempts to weave my way through it and realize my vision. A few times, I took a break from working on the arms and focused on a whole new part of the snowman, so I could look back on the arms with a new set of eyes.

Something I can relate coding to is like trying to get through a huge crowd. It may be impossibly hard at some places, but if you're patient enough, you can weave your way through. Just taking in the open space in front of you, when you finally make it through, can be the best reward. Often the harder something is for you, the more you appreciate your accomplishments.

By Uma 
Look closely at all the work involved in making the snowman,
and I don't think Uma is finished with him yet!

Uma, who has just spent more time working on her snowman card.

Moon Journals

Your children came home this past Friday with their Moon Journals.  Each night he/she should be observing the Moon and recording the current phase.  Please make sure your child is doing this activity.  It does count as homework.  He/She will need to observe and record the phases of the Moon over the weekends and throughout February Vacation.  If your family will be away, there are websites to catch up any missed days when you return.

Things to Come

Next week students will be taking turns as class videographers and recording a Day In The Life of a fifth grader.  Stay tuned to see what it is like to be at Proctor School as a fifth grader in our class.