Enrichment ideas for advanced students

CS Discoveries Resources, Tools, Differentiation
1

I have a couple of students who transferred in and completed a lot more in CS Discoveries than the students in my school did. I set them up in a separate class and they have completed through Unit 6 now.

I printed out the CS Principles and tried to let them do that, but it is a little too advanced for them. One of them has been working on Python, but cannot find a guided online class on anything else. He has been through some of the MIT scratch lesson already.

Any ideas? I was thinking about trying to download a server simulator and setting him up an open source webpage, like php or something, and having him build a page. Just not sure if the old computers that I have will be capable.

Any help woyuld be appreciated,
Todd

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4

@tcarr

Here are the things I have in my Genius Block. Some are advanced and some are just fun but all have a computer science component. Some are also dependent on having Raspberry Pis, MicroBits, and Circuit Playgrounds, etc. These options are always changing. Maybe they will spark some ideas.

Also looking forward to suggestions from others!

GENIUS BLOCKS

#1) EASY: Code a Google Doodle
-Class Code:
-Tutorial: https://csfirst.withgoogle.com/c/cs-first/en/create-your-own-google-logo/create-your-own-google-logo/create-your-own-google-logo.html
-MUST SIGN IN!!!
-TURN IN:
1-Weekly progress (where are you in the lesson) in a private comment and screenshot
2-Final Google Doodle

#2) EASY to MEDIUM: Code Combat Python
-Class URL: https://codecombat.com/
-TURN IN:
1-Weekly progress in private comment and screenshot
MUST SIGN IN using Google.

#3) EASY: Drawing with Code (Kahn Academy)
-https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/hour-of-code/hour-of-drawing-code/v/welcome-hour-of-code
-MUST SIGN IN!!!
-TURN IN:
1-Weekly progress in private comment and screenshot
2-Final assignment “Self Portrait” OR Anything you want to draw with code!!

#4) MEDIUM TO HARD: All sorts of coding including Responsive Web Design
-https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn
-SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE
-TURN IN:
1-Weekly progress and screenshots

#5) EASY: Create a MicroBit MakeCode project
-Sign in to Microsoft and choose a project https://makecode.microbit.org/
-Grab a Microbit from Mrs. Lynn
-How to see the Microbit on the computer and download your program:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O58Yxt1n4IeLG7LeQ-BbJhH4xbGXXNP6/view?usp=sharing
-TURN IN:
1-Weekly progress and screenshots
2-MUST TURN IN a video of final project. Use Photo Booth to film

#6) EASY: Binary Bracelet (can only do one per semester in Genius Block)
-1st: watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USCBCmwMCDA&disable_polymer=true
-2nd: Reply to this assignment in private comments with 3 things you learned from the video about binary and computers.
-3rd: Open this ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) chart.
http://web.alfredstate.edu/faculty/weimandn/miscellaneous/ascii/ascii_index.html
-4th: Complete this document (open and print to CRMS 205 printer)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/134WcmEGVcJVhivYX3lsvawn3oY6Y4R4wOnZlDlNgWeo/edit
that will serve as a map for your bracelet. The letter is in the line below. Shade the boxes with the binary code for the letter. The box indicates what color (you can color it in or write the first letter of color (r=red b=blue). MRS. LYNN MUST CHECK THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE MOVING ON.
-5th: Ask Mrs. Lynn for the bracelet kit. Make sure to tie the ends of thread AND dab with finger nail polish to keep it tied. String bracelet according to your map.
TURN-IN:
1-Binary bracelet map (physically hand to Mrs. Lynn)
2-Picture of binary bracelet to private comments of this assignment.

#7) MEDIUM to HARD: Raspberry Pi
-1st: go to this site and choose a project https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects
TURN-IN:
1-In private comments, reply with the project you have chosen.
2-Weekly progress via screenshot of tutorial
3-Turn in video of final project explaining what it does. You can un-Yondr phone if ask Mrs. Lynn.

#8) MEDIUM: Book Creative Coding in Python from Mrs. Lynn
-1st: WATCH how to run Python on a Mac


-2nd: Complete some project from the book.
-3rd: Determine one of the project that you can rework to make your own (like the branching story).
TURN-IN:
1-Weekly updates screenshots of projects from book you are trying.
2-A screenshot or screen recording of final project from book.

#9) EASY to MEDIUM: Circuit Playground and MakeCode
(Video on how to download code to Circuit Playground: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Ohs__ihE6J-Cw5_VtEb097nbgHASchB/view?usp=sharing)
-1: Go to site and choose a project:
https://makecode.adafruit.com/
2: Grab a circuit playground for MakeCode from Mrs Lynn
3: Complete a project
4: Turn-in weekly progress AND SCREENSHOT OF FINAL project.

#10) MEDIUM: Python Turtle
(How to open the Python coding tool: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r6RzmCu9ZfUhltQsmtwo0gB17RnKwpXm/view)
-1) Go to site: https://github.com/asweigart/simple-turtle-tutorial-for-python/blob/master/simple_turtle_tutorial.md
-2) Follow some code given to you
-3) Try some code on your own
-4) Make a unique drawing or shape with Python,
-5) TURNIN: copy and paste code into Genius Block AND attach screenshot of drawing.

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5

Thanks! so much. This will be super helpful second semester.
~Usha