Standards

 

STEM -> STEAM -> STREAM -> C-STREAM
STEM is a way of thinking to bring Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Art, Research & Development, and Communication together to solve real-world problems. It is not teaching a standard because it is on a test. Computer Science is an easy to use tool to help students understand how they get an answer because they create their own “word” problems.

… standards discourage over-reliance on memorization and isolated skills. Instead, teachers are urged to emphasize word problems that require critical thinking and mastery of concepts that experts believe will lay sturdier foundations for advanced learning. The new assessments will expect students to not only get the right answer, but also demonstrate that they understand how they reached it… – “When Teachers Need help in Math

The most limited resource in the classroom is TIME. Houston ISD has what are called Smart Goals, those standards that comprise 80% of the STAAR accountability test, to facilitate limited resources. Their way of thinking is that if students master these, they will “pass” the test. But, that leaves behind the most important skills for the 21st century, designing creative solutions to problems. The one standard that runs though all subject areas is problem solving. So, if you want a correlation to the standards, add that TEKS number to your lesson plans.

If you want to master the TEKS game, I suggest you create a spreadsheet. Type all the standards you are required to teach while decomposing and reducing the text. This will help you focus on the concepts to be mastered. That is data analysis, a core competency of computer science. While you are integrating coding into your lessons, add that to your spreadsheet. It is very surprising to see what results at the end of the year when you break a problem down into small parts.

I also suggest you teach one code lesson each week. That makes integrating computer science easier and therefore hopefully you will take the time.

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