Week 1: 14 September
Present: 12
Absent: 2
Reserve: 0
This week we focussed on getting to know the kids and what interests them most, introducing them to their equipment and getting them up and running. This included helping the kids build the pi into its case and getting the SD cards set up with the code club image.
Progress Report:
We wanted to send all kids home with their Pi fully operational and in its case. While all the cases were successfully built, time constraints meant that not every child got a fully imaged SD card on the day. However, my son Mackenzie (P7A) has done a sterling job as a courier and those that missed out on the day should have been given a working SD card by now. Please let us know if that is not the case for your child.
Kits:
You may have noticed that we didn't have time to hand out all the kit parts on Wednesday. However, what the kids were sent home with is sufficient for home use. We aim to hand out the remainder of the kit next week - this includes the earphones, USB memory sticks and ethernet cables.
HDMI Cables:
It seems that one child either didn't get a HDMI cable or left one behind. If that is your child, please let us know.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
As we haven't yet introduced the kids to the Scratch projects, where the instructions for these projects live on their Pis and how to use the Scratch programming environment we've decided to delay implementing the reserve mechanism until at least week 3 (28 September). This means that there are no designated reserves next week.
Absent: 2
Reserve: 0
This week we focussed on getting to know the kids and what interests them most, introducing them to their equipment and getting them up and running. This included helping the kids build the pi into its case and getting the SD cards set up with the code club image.
Progress Report:
We wanted to send all kids home with their Pi fully operational and in its case. While all the cases were successfully built, time constraints meant that not every child got a fully imaged SD card on the day. However, my son Mackenzie (P7A) has done a sterling job as a courier and those that missed out on the day should have been given a working SD card by now. Please let us know if that is not the case for your child.
Kits:
You may have noticed that we didn't have time to hand out all the kit parts on Wednesday. However, what the kids were sent home with is sufficient for home use. We aim to hand out the remainder of the kit next week - this includes the earphones, USB memory sticks and ethernet cables.
HDMI Cables:
It seems that one child either didn't get a HDMI cable or left one behind. If that is your child, please let us know.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
As we haven't yet introduced the kids to the Scratch projects, where the instructions for these projects live on their Pis and how to use the Scratch programming environment we've decided to delay implementing the reserve mechanism until at least week 3 (28 September). This means that there are no designated reserves next week.
Week 2: 21 September
It was a very busy code club this week as we had a full house (all 14 kids).
Project:
This week the kids got down to coding up their first project, a simple Scratch game where a cat chases a mouse around the screen. One or two kids even managed to complete that and move on to the second project in the Scratch folder.
Kits:
The kids should have received their earphones and Ethernet cables this week. We plan to hand out the USB sticks next week, set them up so that they auto-magically appear on their desktop when plugged in, and electronically label them with their names so that they don't get mixed up when sharing files with their friends.
What should my child bring with him/her to the club every week?:
There's been a wee bit of confusion over what equipment is for home use only and what should be brought in every week. The following kit items have been issued simply to help your child make use of their Pi kits at home. They are not used in the club sessions. Everything else in the kit must be brought in by your child when attending code club.
The Code Club Help Page:
If your child encounters a technical issue with their Pi, why not have a look at our new help page? This is where we document problems that we have encountered and the solutions that we have identified. If your problem is not solved there, simply drop us a line. We'll try our best to find a solution for you and add that solution to our help page for others to benefit from. You can find the help page at http://smpscodeclub.weebly.com/help .
GO TO HELP PAGE
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Austen & Alicia.
Project:
This week the kids got down to coding up their first project, a simple Scratch game where a cat chases a mouse around the screen. One or two kids even managed to complete that and move on to the second project in the Scratch folder.
Kits:
The kids should have received their earphones and Ethernet cables this week. We plan to hand out the USB sticks next week, set them up so that they auto-magically appear on their desktop when plugged in, and electronically label them with their names so that they don't get mixed up when sharing files with their friends.
What should my child bring with him/her to the club every week?:
There's been a wee bit of confusion over what equipment is for home use only and what should be brought in every week. The following kit items have been issued simply to help your child make use of their Pi kits at home. They are not used in the club sessions. Everything else in the kit must be brought in by your child when attending code club.
- HDMI cable - to plug the Pi into the TV at home (or a HDMI monitor, if you have one). In the club environment, we use donated VGA monitors with VGA cables and VGA-HDMI adapters. Your child's HDMI cable will be of no use here.
- Ethernet cable - an emergency option for connecting your child's Pi up to the internet at home, where your home router is not Wifi-capable. This cable has no use in the club as we do not have access to an internet connection - we do everything offline.
- Wireless keyboards and mice - for home use, where you don't already have access to a spare set at home. These are not needed in the club sessions. However, if your child prefers to use their wireless set in the club, they are welcome to do so.
The Code Club Help Page:
If your child encounters a technical issue with their Pi, why not have a look at our new help page? This is where we document problems that we have encountered and the solutions that we have identified. If your problem is not solved there, simply drop us a line. We'll try our best to find a solution for you and add that solution to our help page for others to benefit from. You can find the help page at http://smpscodeclub.weebly.com/help .
GO TO HELP PAGE
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Austen & Alicia.
Week 3: 28 SEPTEMBER
Present: 12
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Austen & Alicia)
Project:
This week the kids created a whack-a-mole style game in Scratch with witches on broomsticks flying to and fro that appear and disappear randomly. This project introduced the use of variables and loops and showed the kids how to build a game timer and keep a score.
Kits:
This week we handed out the USB sticks. These can be left plugged into the Pis with the lid stashed in a pocket of the kit bag for safe keeping. We would like to encourage the kids to use them as a simple file backup mechanism as well as for sharing their work with their friends. The kids were also issued with name badges to wear in the club, designed by my son Mackenzie. For those kids that are interested we can show them how to design their own bespoke badges using a vector drawing package called Inkscape, which is pre-installed on the Pi.
Important Notice:
It has been brought to the attention of all clubs that some children are not always heading straight to the allocated club classroom and on occasion have been found accessing other rooms & wondering around the school upper corridors before and/or after the club. We have informed the kids that this is not permitted by the school and we would be grateful if you can remind them also.
Monitors Needed:
If you work for an employer that periodically recycles monitors (or know someone who does) we would be grateful if you can ask if they would be willing throw any of their cast-offs our way. Our monitors are old so it's really only a matter of time before one of them goes 'POP!'. We would ideally like to have a few spares available for such an eventuality. What's more, we can also consider loaning spare monitors out to club members in need of a monitor at home. We already know of one or two club members that would benefit from this facility.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Milo & Samuel
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Austen & Alicia)
Project:
This week the kids created a whack-a-mole style game in Scratch with witches on broomsticks flying to and fro that appear and disappear randomly. This project introduced the use of variables and loops and showed the kids how to build a game timer and keep a score.
Kits:
This week we handed out the USB sticks. These can be left plugged into the Pis with the lid stashed in a pocket of the kit bag for safe keeping. We would like to encourage the kids to use them as a simple file backup mechanism as well as for sharing their work with their friends. The kids were also issued with name badges to wear in the club, designed by my son Mackenzie. For those kids that are interested we can show them how to design their own bespoke badges using a vector drawing package called Inkscape, which is pre-installed on the Pi.
Important Notice:
It has been brought to the attention of all clubs that some children are not always heading straight to the allocated club classroom and on occasion have been found accessing other rooms & wondering around the school upper corridors before and/or after the club. We have informed the kids that this is not permitted by the school and we would be grateful if you can remind them also.
Monitors Needed:
If you work for an employer that periodically recycles monitors (or know someone who does) we would be grateful if you can ask if they would be willing throw any of their cast-offs our way. Our monitors are old so it's really only a matter of time before one of them goes 'POP!'. We would ideally like to have a few spares available for such an eventuality. What's more, we can also consider loaning spare monitors out to club members in need of a monitor at home. We already know of one or two club members that would benefit from this facility.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Milo & Samuel
WEEK 4: 05 October
Present: 12
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Milo & Samuel)
Project(s):
This week the kids created a Fireworks demo with sound and explosive animations. Many of the kids also moved on to the next project in the series which is a fruit machine simulation, where you have to stop each of the reels on the same image to win.
Please note that we are not running for 12 October (parent consultations) & 19 October (half term) and will be back on 26 October.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for the next scheduled club session (26 October) will be Logan & Oscar
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Milo & Samuel)
Project(s):
This week the kids created a Fireworks demo with sound and explosive animations. Many of the kids also moved on to the next project in the series which is a fruit machine simulation, where you have to stop each of the reels on the same image to win.
Please note that we are not running for 12 October (parent consultations) & 19 October (half term) and will be back on 26 October.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for the next scheduled club session (26 October) will be Logan & Oscar
WEEK 5: 26 OCTOBER
Project(s):
Because many of the kids are moving forward at a pace, we decided to designate two Scratch projects this week (Fish Chomp & Desert Race). Fish Chomp is a simple version of "Hungry Shark" on the Android app store. Desert Race is kind of like a 100m dash game - think "Daley Thompson Decathlon" and you won't be far off the mark.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
There are no reserves designated for next week as we plan to have a wee consolidation discussion and explain what our plans are for next term. It would be good for all kids to be present for this chat.
Because many of the kids are moving forward at a pace, we decided to designate two Scratch projects this week (Fish Chomp & Desert Race). Fish Chomp is a simple version of "Hungry Shark" on the Android app store. Desert Race is kind of like a 100m dash game - think "Daley Thompson Decathlon" and you won't be far off the mark.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
There are no reserves designated for next week as we plan to have a wee consolidation discussion and explain what our plans are for next term. It would be good for all kids to be present for this chat.
WEEK 6: 02 November
This week we paused a little to take stock. We had a wee discussion about how things have progressed so far and provided the kids with some visibility of what lies ahead.
THIS TERM
We explained to the kids that this term is all about attempting as many of the Code Club UK Scratch & Python projects as possible and learning as much as they can while doing so. There is no fixed goal as every child is different - it is simply a matter of "the more you can learn, the better".
NEXT TERM - FIRST HALF
The first half of next term is likely to be more free-form, where the kids get to choose something that really interests them from a short menu of options, the majority of which will require some Scratch or Python knowledge. This is where the focus through term 1 on structured project work will hopefully pay off.
NEXT TERM - SECOND HALF
Depending on how the first half of next term goes, we plan to encourage the kids to come up with a project of their own design which they can present to the group at the end of term. Presentation is encouraged but it will be optional as we don't want anyone fretting about public speaking.
TEAM WORKING
Although we have a plan for next term, we are mindful to the fact that this may have to change according to circumstance. How next term pans out will be down to the group as a whole. A good example of this came out of our discussion with the kids. While discussing our plans for next term, one of the kids suggested that the personal projects could be team-based rather than individual, with the teams carefully selected to make them as balanced as possible. This is actually a very interesting idea which may have some legs. The volunteer team will discuss this further to see how we might make this work.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Isaac & Patrick
THIS TERM
We explained to the kids that this term is all about attempting as many of the Code Club UK Scratch & Python projects as possible and learning as much as they can while doing so. There is no fixed goal as every child is different - it is simply a matter of "the more you can learn, the better".
NEXT TERM - FIRST HALF
The first half of next term is likely to be more free-form, where the kids get to choose something that really interests them from a short menu of options, the majority of which will require some Scratch or Python knowledge. This is where the focus through term 1 on structured project work will hopefully pay off.
NEXT TERM - SECOND HALF
Depending on how the first half of next term goes, we plan to encourage the kids to come up with a project of their own design which they can present to the group at the end of term. Presentation is encouraged but it will be optional as we don't want anyone fretting about public speaking.
TEAM WORKING
Although we have a plan for next term, we are mindful to the fact that this may have to change according to circumstance. How next term pans out will be down to the group as a whole. A good example of this came out of our discussion with the kids. While discussing our plans for next term, one of the kids suggested that the personal projects could be team-based rather than individual, with the teams carefully selected to make them as balanced as possible. This is actually a very interesting idea which may have some legs. The volunteer team will discuss this further to see how we might make this work.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for next week will be Isaac & Patrick
WEEK 7: 09 NOVEMBER
Present: 12
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Patrick & Isaac)
Project(s):
This week we moved all the kids on to Python programming. In the first project the kids learned how to write a simple program telling people all about themselves. They created ASCII art (images from text) and performed calculations based on user input.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for the next scheduled club session (16 November) will be Callum & Adam.
Absent: 0
Reserve: 2 (Patrick & Isaac)
Project(s):
This week we moved all the kids on to Python programming. In the first project the kids learned how to write a simple program telling people all about themselves. They created ASCII art (images from text) and performed calculations based on user input.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
The reserves for the next scheduled club session (16 November) will be Callum & Adam.
WEEK 11: 07 December
Present: 11
Absent: 2
Reserve: 1 (Harshini)
THIS WEEK
Given the recent lack of newsletters, we thought you were overdue an update on the kids' progress, so here it is...
We are now at a point where designating projects for each week no longer makes a lot of sense as the kids all seem to be finding their own niche. While some of them are happy to continue to work through the Code Club UK python projects, others have started to explore further afield. For instance, one child has started experimenting with a codeable music synthesis tool called Sonic Pi and another is looking at creating graphics using Inkscape (a vector graphics paintbox) and Processing (creating art using code).
A group of the P7 kids are spending a lot of their time collaborating on a martial arts game that they have called "Crimson Skull" using Scratch. They are making excellent use of their USB memory sticks to pass the game code around the group so each one can add their little bit to the game.
We managed to give a quick demo of the BBC Microbits that we have been given by Code Club UK. These are the kind of things that you would expect to find inside of any interactive toy such as Robosapien or the Teksta Puppy. Essentially you write your code on the Raspberry Pi and upload it to the Microbit's memory. The Microbit then runs that code when it's powered up. We hope that some of the kids will want to find an interesting use for these in one of their projects next term.
NEXT WEEK
Next week is the final week of code club for this term . As an early Christmas gift, we have a surprise in store for the kids - we're having what we like to call a ROBOT WEEK! We have invited someone from the Robotics department at Kings Buildings who is developing something quite special to give a talk about exciting developments in the field of robotics and an interactive demo of their new robot. We have also prepared a couple of other hands-on demos involving some really cool robots.
We would be grateful if you would remind the kids to be on their best behaviour next week as we would like to make a good impression on our invited guests. We may also have some of the school's teachers in attendance.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
As we wouldn't want any of the kids to miss out on next week's end of term treat, there will be NO reserves next week.
Absent: 2
Reserve: 1 (Harshini)
THIS WEEK
Given the recent lack of newsletters, we thought you were overdue an update on the kids' progress, so here it is...
We are now at a point where designating projects for each week no longer makes a lot of sense as the kids all seem to be finding their own niche. While some of them are happy to continue to work through the Code Club UK python projects, others have started to explore further afield. For instance, one child has started experimenting with a codeable music synthesis tool called Sonic Pi and another is looking at creating graphics using Inkscape (a vector graphics paintbox) and Processing (creating art using code).
A group of the P7 kids are spending a lot of their time collaborating on a martial arts game that they have called "Crimson Skull" using Scratch. They are making excellent use of their USB memory sticks to pass the game code around the group so each one can add their little bit to the game.
We managed to give a quick demo of the BBC Microbits that we have been given by Code Club UK. These are the kind of things that you would expect to find inside of any interactive toy such as Robosapien or the Teksta Puppy. Essentially you write your code on the Raspberry Pi and upload it to the Microbit's memory. The Microbit then runs that code when it's powered up. We hope that some of the kids will want to find an interesting use for these in one of their projects next term.
NEXT WEEK
Next week is the final week of code club for this term . As an early Christmas gift, we have a surprise in store for the kids - we're having what we like to call a ROBOT WEEK! We have invited someone from the Robotics department at Kings Buildings who is developing something quite special to give a talk about exciting developments in the field of robotics and an interactive demo of their new robot. We have also prepared a couple of other hands-on demos involving some really cool robots.
We would be grateful if you would remind the kids to be on their best behaviour next week as we would like to make a good impression on our invited guests. We may also have some of the school's teachers in attendance.
RESERVES FOR NEXT WEEK
As we wouldn't want any of the kids to miss out on next week's end of term treat, there will be NO reserves next week.
WEEK 12: 14 DECEMBER
Present: 10
Absent: 4
THIS WEEK
We had a fab time demonstrating some really cool robots and showing the kids just how easy it can be to write a little bit of code to determine their behaviour. For those of you that are interested, we have written an information page all about this.
CLICK HERE FOR THE "ROBOT WEEK" INFORMATION PAGE
NEXT TERM
The first session of next term will be on 18 January.
RESERVES FOR NEXT TERM
We will make a decision regarding designated reserves nearer the time.
Absent: 4
THIS WEEK
We had a fab time demonstrating some really cool robots and showing the kids just how easy it can be to write a little bit of code to determine their behaviour. For those of you that are interested, we have written an information page all about this.
CLICK HERE FOR THE "ROBOT WEEK" INFORMATION PAGE
NEXT TERM
The first session of next term will be on 18 January.
RESERVES FOR NEXT TERM
We will make a decision regarding designated reserves nearer the time.