Wonder Workshop Unveils Playbook of Standards-Aligned Coding Curricula

San Mateo, Calif. (PRWEB)
June 29, 2015

According to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 million high-paying computer science jobs could go unfilled within the next five years due to a dearth of qualified graduates. But the task of preparing todays students for tomorrows coding careers is a daunting one. Starting today, Wonder Workshop, creators of smart robots that teach students the basics of coding, is launching 21 comprehensive lesson plans designed to make coding instruction more approachable for K-5 teachers.

The standards-aligned, teacher-friendly curricula supplement instruction in core subject areas, such as math, science, English language arts (ELA), coding and more. The classroom-tested lesson plans are available through a teachers portal, which Wonder Workshop created to inspire collaboration among educators who bring lessons to life with Dash & Dot robots.

Coding integrates communication and teamwork skills, as well as logical and algorithmic thinking skills that are critical for the 21st-century workforce and the modern world, said Michelle Eckstein, elementary technology teacher at Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette, Colorado. But teachers often find it hard to take class time to teach coding unless the lesson plans align directly to the required standards. Using Blocky and Dash & Dot, teachers are empowered to bring coding skills into their classroom while addressing Common Core math or ELA standards.

Wonder Workshop is also bringing teachers together top collaborate and develop their own creative, results-oriented lesson plans. Through the portal, educators can test out, rate and provide constructive feedback on existing lessons, as well as submit new ones. In addition, the portal features an interactive school map, allowing educators to reference nearby schools that use Dash & Dot, and a forum where teachers nationwide can come together and share how robots are transforming the classroom.