DevTech Research Group has had several iterations of the Coding as Another Language curricula. For the most up to date versions, visit our CAL website:
Past versions here:
The CAL curriculum is organized into four units, all centered around a children’s book, and are designed to engage emergent readers or early readers in expressive programming using the KIBO robotics kit and the tablet-based ScratchJr programming application. Aimed for children 4 to 7 years old, they expose children to developmentally appropriate powerful ideas of computer science as well as to principles of literacy. The curriculum units, regardless of the technology used, follow similar structure and include time spent working with coding as well as an emphasis on off-screen activities involving social interactions, creativity and movement. Individual and group activities in this curriculum include warm up games to playfully introduce or reinforce concepts, design challenges to solidify skills, free explorations to allow students to tinker and expand their skills, expressive explorations to promote creativity, writing activities and technology circles to share and reflect on activities. The culmination of each unit is an open-ended project to share with family and friends.
KIBO CODING CURRICULUM
12 lessons incorporating There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback.
Building on emerging literacy skills, this unit was created with emergent readers in mind.
SCRATCHJR CODING CURRICULUM
12 lessons incorporating Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems.
Building on emerging literacy skills, this unit was created with emergent readers in mind.
12 lessons incorporating Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Building on early literacy skills, this unit was created with early readers in mind.
12 lessons incorporating Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees.
Building on early literacy skills, this unit was created with early readers in mind.