Re: MWForum Digest V1 #86

[<jycubed@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Dave,

I have just begun teaching a class to homeschool students 8-12 grade.  I am 
using a book called Computer Science Pure & Simple 
(www.motherboardbooks.com).  I have modified it some but it teaches LOGO, 
basic word processing, spreadsheet, and web design.  My first class was 
showing them how to put a turtle on the page, using the command center, and 
creating a square procedure (not even using repeat just fd and rt).  They 
loved it.  Their assignment was to create a procedure to draw a triangle. 
This got their feet wet.  Using the repeat was a bonus.

The next week I taught them how to use the repeat and how to place buttons 
on the screen, and clear the graphics.  Their assignment was to create a 
button to draw a square, triangle, pentagon, octagon and clear the graphics. 
They had a blast and said this is the first thing they do when they get 
home.

This week, I showed them how to change the shape of the turtle and do a 
simple animation of a horse running across the screen.  Their assignment is 
to create two different animations headed in opposite directions with start 
and stop buttons.

We are having a blast!  I am learning right along with them.  I wish this 
was the first programming language I had learned.

Hope this helps.
Jennifer