Blowing off steam
Nursery School Coding
LEGO Education is a more serious branch of the LEGO enterprise, which aims to provide teachers with a fun way to engage children in STEAM subjects. (STEAM stands for Science, technology, engineering and maths.) Steam is an educational approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process.
Summerhill Nursery school’s LEGO Education program has commenced, with our Lego trained facilitator Rosa Adonis, who through an age-appropriate curriculum, will lay the foundation for coding, robotics and engineering.
The Nursery has started implementing the following LEGO Educational sets into our academic programme:
STEAM Park (Ages 3 - 5)
While constructing a Theme Park full of dynamic rides, fun games and scenes using a special selection of LEGO DUPLO bricks, students expand their understanding of gears, motion, measurement, and problem solving in a fun and engaging way.
Early Simple Machines (Ages 4 - 5)
This set has all the gears, levers, pulleys, wheels, wings and more that the students need to explore real world science concepts, sparking engaged learning. Problem solving skills, energy, creativity and critical thinking.
Coding Express Train (Ages 5+)
Basic language of coding combining digital and physical elements and coding concepts like looping, sequencing and conditional coding.
Coding, Robotics & Steam
Preparatory Coding
The Revised Curriculum and Policy Statement (CAPS) has proposed specific provision for Coding and Robotics in Grades R-9. The focus content areas consist of the following knowledge strands in each phase respectively:
FOUNDATION PHASE (R-3)- Pattern Recognition and Problem Solving; Algorithms and Coding; Robotics Skills; Internet and E-Communication skills; and Application Skills.
INTERSEN/SENIOR PHASE (4-7)- Algorithms and Coding; Robotis Skills; Internet and E-Communication skills; and Application Skills.
Summerhill Prep is committed to providing a comprehensive and current offering in terms of these important outcomes. To achieve this our students have dedicated I.T. lessons where typing, user-interfaces, programming and applications are taught and practised with the student friendly Purple Mash programme. Our junior students have a learning period dedicated to a mixed ‘concrete apparatus-digital’ coding programme called Scotti-Go. Annually, the Prep. students take part in a ‘Jeffa STEAM Invasion’ where robotic skills are taught in the merging fields of Coding and Engineering. In an extra-mural capacity, Summerhill Prep. offers both SAMlab coding and Young Engineers.
Purple Mash
A cloud-based platform for primary-aged children. It contains a wide range of age-appropriate, creative software tools for writing, drawing, coding, animating, blogging, and more. In addition to these programmes, the platform provides resources and themed lesson activities, which can be set for pupils to do at home.
Scottie GO!
An innovative, hybrid, solution (board game and an app), which introduces coding and programming in an interactive, tactile and fun way to students by combining physical puzzle tiles and the App. Coding using puzzle tiles involves all senses in the learning process. Students are encouraged to start their coding adventure by letting them play and to trigger their ability to think logically, plan and present their thoughts in a precise manner.
SAM Labs
An innovative course offering to teach STEAM and coding. The SAMLab kits include practical curriculum-aligned courses, Bluetooth connected hardware blocks and interactive software. These enable students to master computational thinking, conduct experiments, solve problems and design prototypes. SP (Gr 4-7) school offering- no cost)
Young Engineers
A ‘paid’ extra-mural programme providing theoretical knowledge and practical implementation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics using Lego® and K’nex®.
International standards
College Coding
Understanding computers and learning the basics of coding helps students to develop an appreciation of how things work.This is an important reason that coding should be taught in schools, so children learn these skills while they are young. The ability to solve problems is a trait that is useful in life in general.
What is coding and how is it used
Computers are amazing, but they can’t think for themselves (yet). Coding is a method of communicating with a computer. Coding is used for writing systematic lines of instructions that will perform certain actions. Coding uses computer programming languages to give computers and machines a set of instructions to perform tasks. Coding allows us to create things like computer software, websites, apps and video games, operating systems, etc.
What is coding language?
There are many coding languages used in programming, however the 3 programming languages that Summerhill utilises are: JAVA, HTML and Python. These are often used together as each one has pros and cons. JAVA is used as the server-side language for most back-end development projects, including those involving big data and Android development. JAVA is also commonly used for desktop computing and other mobile devices.
HTML is the language for describing the structure of Web pages. HTML gives authors the means to: Publish online documents with headings, text, tables, lists, photos, etc. Retrieve online information via hypertext links.
PYTHON is used to handle high-level behaviours and to quickly develop tests or proof of concepts.
SUMMERHILL’S CODING CURRICULUM
Is designed to prepare learners with the skills they need to be able to bring innovative tech-based solutions to life and thrive in a career in the tech industry.
SUMMERHILL INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE CODING WILL BE OFFERED IN THREE PHASES:
Coding Level (Grade 8 & 9)
Introduction to coding
Principles of design
Principles of application
Practical designing
Analysing
Coding Level (Grade 10 – 12)
Advance and intense focus on HTML & JAVASCRIPT programmes
Practical coding
User Interface Design
Analysing
Mobile development – cross device applications
Website design
Application development
Benefits of Learning Code
You can make your own Website
Coding ability gives a new perspective to problem-solving
Learning to code offers career opportunities
You can start your own Business
You can do Freelancing
COME AND VISIT
SCHOOL HOURS
M-F: 8am – 3pm
Contact
Telephone
011 468 1414
info@summerhill-school.co.za
Address
Cnr. 8th and 10th Roads
Noordwyk Erand, Midrand,
2090