Kindergarten

Kindergarteners spend the first weeks of school learning how to hold and use a mouse by playing through Valley Coding Camp’s Bob’s World, a fun way to learn how to use a computer! They will then graduate to drawing pictures in Kid Pix 3D. We have a picture theme for every season- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter, Valentine’s Day, and End of the Year Wrap Up.

The kindergarteners will learn the basics of the keyboard and how to type their name… with proper capitalization, of course. They’ll even learn the basics of coding during the Hour of Code at code.org in December, with Angry Bird-themed command blocks.

Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/kindergarten-gallery

1st Grade

In first grade, kids will become more familiar with programs such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, to create cool-looking projects. Along with using Kid Pix to draw season-themed pictures, they’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of typing on TypingClub. From the beginning, we teach them proper fingering and home row position, so that when they grow up, they can type like a real keyboard ninja.

First graders participate in the Hour of Code at code.org in December, with Angry-Bird themed command blocks. Here, they learn more about how a computer thinks, and teaches them to recognize patterns and steps.

We encourage first graders to practice their typing at home whenever possible.

Direct link to TypingClub: https://typingclub.com
Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/1st-grade-gallery

2nd Grade

Second graders will continue their work with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, becoming even more adept with formatting to create projects like postcards and character-based slideshows. They’ll begin to learn the basics of Internet safety and how to behave as a good Internet citizen, using Google’s Interland realm. They’ll also be introduced to SketchUp this year, to create their first 3D model of a basic house.

As with every grade, second graders will type for the first ten minutes of computer class on TypingClub, expanding beyond the basic home row keys to continue their quest in becoming a keyboard ninja. We encourage second graders to practice their typing at home whenever possible.

Direct link to TypingClub: https://typingclub.com
Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/2nd-grade-gallery

3rd Grade

In third grade, students receive their LAUSD student Gmail accounts. This provides a gateway to many Google-connected apps, such as Google Classroom– an online virtual classroom where teachers can post assignments. It also gives them access to create their own TypingClub accounts, so that their progress can be saved every time they type.

As third graders, we transition from Microsoft Word and PowerPoint into Google Docs and Slides. The kids learn about Internet safety and hazards, and the first beginnings of how to properly research a topic. We’ll also use Stykz Animation (a free-to-use animation program) to create a short little animation. At the end of the year, the kids band together in teams and create a commercial in iMovie, which serve as advertisements for their annual Entrepreneur fair.

Third graders should be practicing typing at home on their TypingClub accounts, and points are awarded to those that practice most in a week. To get credit for their practice time, students will need to be logged into their TypingClub accounts, with the School Edition.

Direct link to TypingClub: https://grade3hesby.typingclub.com
Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/3rd-grade-gallery

4th Grade

In 4th grade, students continue working with Google apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. They’ll continue to learn how to properly research and cite their sources. At the end of the first semester, as part of their Spanish Missions class project, they will create a 3D rendering of their assigned mission in SketchUp. We’ll also make some music with the free online program Soundtrap.

Fourth graders will continue to type at the beginning of every class period. Students should be practicing typing at home on their TypingClub accounts, and points are awarded to those that practice most in a week. To get credit for their practice time, students will need to be logged into their TypingClub accounts, with the School Edition.

Direct link to TypingClub: https://grade4hesby.typingclub.com
Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/4th-grade-gallery

5th Grade

Fifth graders begin to take on research-heavy projects and learn how to make professional-looking reports in Docs and Slides. They’ll continue to learn about Internet safety and how to find good sources to research, as well as how to cite them. In the middle of the year, they’ll be introduced to Vex Robotics, learning how to program a robot. Along with code.org, they’ll learn more about programming and how to control a computer.

Fifth graders should be practicing typing at home on their TypingClub accounts, and points are awarded to those that practice most in a week. To get credit for their practice time, students will need to be logged into their TypingClub accounts, with the School Edition.

Direct link to TypingClub: https://grade5hesby.typingclub.com
Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/5th-grade-gallery

7^th / 8^th Grade Elective

The 7^th/8^th grade elective serves as a pathway course for those who want to take their computing to the next level. The students will focus on three main pillars of game design: coding (with Python scripting), artwork (with Inkscape and Piskel), and sound engineering. In the middle of the second semester, they will use what they’ve learned to band together into five-person teams and create their final project: a computer game. Built from the ground up, their games use no presets and no fill-in-the-blank code- every sound, image, and control in the game is created by the students.

This is a wonderful challenge for those students who are looking for something a little bit different and want to create something they can point to with pride and say, “I did that! I made that!”

Link to the gallery: https://hesbyoaks.com/gallery/7th-8th-grade-gallery