| Example #1: A child admits to a peer that she does not know how to run her program. |
| Example #2: Two children work together on a ScratchJr project, but only one child receives praise from the teacher at share time. The child receiving praise points out to the teacher that she worked with a partner and that they should both receive recognition. |
| Example #3: A child leaves her iPad out instead of returning it to the charging station. When she returns from recess and the teacher asks who it belongs to, she says it was hers and offers to return it to the charging rack. |
Teacher Insights on Practicing Honesty
The following excerpts were taken from interviews with teachers who were asked to describe instances in which their students practiced honesty, as well as times in which the teacher personally practiced honesty while implementing the Coding as Another Language-ScratchJr curriculum.
Sometimes they were honest with their peers about what was good and bad, like “I think you could make that better.”
— Elizabeth, First Grade Teacher
The kids worked on things together, and sometimes things wouldn’t work, and they’d have to help each other and be really honest about it. You know, this doesn’t work, and here’s why.
— Juan, First Grade Teacher
There’s a certain vulnerability when you’re not sure how to do something, and that honesty of looking over the shoulder of one of the kiddos and saying, “I’m not sure how to do what I see happening on your screen. Now, would you mind coming over to my computer and showing me,” you know that moment for them, as flipping that role from learner to teacher is amazing to see.
— Annie, Second Grade Teacher
Watch Honesty in Practice
Admitting Confusion
A child admits that she does not understand how to do something on ScratchJr.
Guided Questions for Observation
• What are some ways you can encourage students’ honesty while they are learning how to code?
Asking Questions
A child shares with her class that she is unsure what certain blocks do and asks her teachers for help.
Guided Questions for Observation
• Notice the body language and attentiveness of the teachers. How does this create a space for promoting honesty in their coding playground?
Brainstorming
A child tells his teacher that he’s unsure how to do what she asked of him.
Guided Questions for Observation
Listen and Follow
A child reveals that they do not know the dance to the “Hokey Pokey”
Guided Questions for Observation
• How does the teacher respond to her students who aren’t familiar with the Hokey Pokey dance? How can her response encourage children’s honesty down the road?