At the Brooke Schools, computer science is treated as a core academic subject. In the elementary and middle school grades, computer science is taught by classroom teachers, not by specialists. This approach comes with some challenges, of course: few Brooke teachers have ever studied or taught the subject before. However, over the long term, we believe this model will lead to better computer science instruction. Our teachers have a deep understanding of the individual learning needs of the scholars in their classrooms. As they develop mastery of computing languages and tools, they’ll be able to more tightly integrate the teaching of computer science with the teaching of science and math and the humanities.
Brooke's computer science curriculum comprises a sequence of age-appropriate, hands-on learning activities, based on a mix of established and emerging technologies for K-12 computer science education. These include: 1) interactive browser-based coding activities (Code.org); 2) creative art, animation, and game design projects (Pencil Code, Scratch, and App Inventor); 3) robot building and programming challenges (Bee-Bots, LEGO WeDo, and LEGO Mindstorms); and 4) “unplugged” computer science lessons, which teach computer science concepts through tabletop or kinesthetic activities. Woven through the hands-on activities are a set of fundamental computer science concepts and practices, which are the focus of instruction in every grade.
In addition to the technology tools, Brooke teachers are making extensive use of web-based tutorials and lessons from a number of sources. Although most of these resources were designed for self-paced, self-directed learning, at Brooke, they're being adapted to help structure classroom time, introduce activities and challenges, and explain coding concepts. Examples include: 1) the Code.org lesson plans and video tutorials; 2) Harvard's Creative Computing introduction to Scratch; 3) the Pencil Code Gym activities; 4) Google's CS First lessons for programming in Scratch, 5) Carnegie Mellon's Introduction to Programming curriculum, and 6) the video tutorials and other resources on AppInventor.org.
Brooke High School’s first-year computer science course is modeled on Harvard University’s introductory CS50 course, and it is taught in Java. The second-year course focuses on embedded computing, with a series of projects that combine programmable microcontrollers with electronic and mechanical hardware. In the third-year course, students will complete their AP computer science preparation, and in their fourth year, Brooke scholars will be encouraged to pursue dual-enrollment higher education options or internship opportunities with Boston-area companies.
Brooke's computer science curriculum comprises a sequence of age-appropriate, hands-on learning activities, based on a mix of established and emerging technologies for K-12 computer science education. These include: 1) interactive browser-based coding activities (Code.org); 2) creative art, animation, and game design projects (Pencil Code, Scratch, and App Inventor); 3) robot building and programming challenges (Bee-Bots, LEGO WeDo, and LEGO Mindstorms); and 4) “unplugged” computer science lessons, which teach computer science concepts through tabletop or kinesthetic activities. Woven through the hands-on activities are a set of fundamental computer science concepts and practices, which are the focus of instruction in every grade.
In addition to the technology tools, Brooke teachers are making extensive use of web-based tutorials and lessons from a number of sources. Although most of these resources were designed for self-paced, self-directed learning, at Brooke, they're being adapted to help structure classroom time, introduce activities and challenges, and explain coding concepts. Examples include: 1) the Code.org lesson plans and video tutorials; 2) Harvard's Creative Computing introduction to Scratch; 3) the Pencil Code Gym activities; 4) Google's CS First lessons for programming in Scratch, 5) Carnegie Mellon's Introduction to Programming curriculum, and 6) the video tutorials and other resources on AppInventor.org.
Brooke High School’s first-year computer science course is modeled on Harvard University’s introductory CS50 course, and it is taught in Java. The second-year course focuses on embedded computing, with a series of projects that combine programmable microcontrollers with electronic and mechanical hardware. In the third-year course, students will complete their AP computer science preparation, and in their fourth year, Brooke scholars will be encouraged to pursue dual-enrollment higher education options or internship opportunities with Boston-area companies.