Hello! I’m using this curriculum for the first time, teaching a coding elective for 6th-8th. I only have a trimester with them, 50 minutes 2x/week. Looking at the calendar it is at most 22 class meetings, but possibly fewer due to schedule changes for special events. It won’t be enough to get through all of the lessons as presented here on Code.org. Does anyone have any advice on what lessons can be skipped, or perhaps trimmed and combined with others in order to get students to the point where they can successfully complete a final project by the end of the trimester? I only have about 8 students, and they are all motivated learners, and some have some background knowledge and experience. Thanks for any insights you can share!
I have a similar situation and what works for me is to have them do the first chapter (up through animations). They still get the full experience, but just don’t get to making a game. Some work faster and I let them go on and add more to their projects from chapter 2, but this works well for me.
Others may have other suggestions…
Mike
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I’m in a similar boat, thinking about cutting out some projects to leave time to cover functions in chapter 2. Would you advise against that?
You can always cut out the mini-projects. They don’t teach any new content. You might also condense the final project at the end of chapter 1 in that unit.
You could, but I like keeping the projects as that is usually what allows for student choice and allows them to show what they’ve learned… But, no one right answer to that question. You need to do what works for you.
Mike
I do this as well. The Chapter 1 final project (Interactive Card) is quite engaging for the kids!
~Michelle