Coding! Learning to code has become increasingly prevalent in school curricula. From after-school clubs to dedicated class periods, coding and computer science curriculum are popping up in schools worldwide. There are many benefits of coding for students in Special Education. Coding builds important life skills such as organization, higher order thinking, self-esteem, socialization and teamwork. These skills are intrinsically hard for many children with disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Autism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention these disabilities can affect 1 in 68 school aged children. Many students in our classrooms suffer from low self esteem. Coding builds confidence in one’s ability to learn and create, as well as pride from actually creating something. Many learn-to-code platforms are accessible and easy to get started for everyone. Below are some coding programs to implement in your classroom. This summer I will be offering a session that is entirely dedicated to coding resources to use in your room. If you have any questions about implementing coding in your classroom contact me.

Congratulations goes out to Carol Kline, SEC at Fairland.  She had the winning essay submitted for this month's Crayola’s Color Alive System. In her essay she shared her plans to use the Crayola coloring program as a supplement to the social skills program- (Superheros Social Skills) - the support team is using at Fairland.

Sending a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the STEM Item Donations: Thank you all for your generous donations of all the items I had requested from my last blog or message in the Staff News at IU13. We have used so many of the items so far and I am ready for the rest of my February lessons. Thank you again. I also want to also thank those that emailed me about Art of Recycle in Ephrata. I had known about this amazing place where I also get items for my STEM lessons. I have some new items that I am in need of now for March lessons. I have plenty of items that I had requested before.

I hope you enjoyed the SuperBowl- well at least some of the good commercials:)

This school year I have been working in ECSES classrooms to implement STEM lessons for our students. I have taught lessons in 9 classes over the first nine weeks of school and am currently on week 4 for another 10 classes. I will be ending the last 9 weeks of this school year working with another 10 more classes. If you are interested in learning how to get involved with these STEM lessons for the 19-20 school year please let your supervisor know or contact me directly. Throughout my lessons I have been collecting all kinds or materials. I am working to set up a Maker Space room that next year teachers can take out items to use in their classes. I am needing donations to start this project. For the months of January and February items I am looking to collect are:

Congratulations goes out to Rachel Weiler, teacher at Valley Road in an elementary ES classroom.  She had the winning essay submitted for this month's OSMO iPad case. Enjoy the case with your students and thank you for all your work in the classroom. 

When I hear the brand Crayola I think of crayons. Don't you? Well, Crayola is a whole lot more than just crayons and for all ages. Go to Crayola for Educators and you will see lesson plans, resources and grant opportunities. Since STEM or STEAM has moved into classrooms throughout United States, companies are trying to get ahead of others to have their materials be implemented in this new learning modality. Some examples of lesson plans : A Proportional World: Explore proportion and Geometry! Create a vibrant watercolor of your bedroom. This lesson teaches fractions, ratios, measurement, shapes, geometry, colors, lines, speaking and listening.

Hello all ECSES Staff members,

I want to share with you a way to try out neat things in your room or during your itinerant time to determine if they are appropriate for your students before purchasing them or even trying to win them via my monthly essays contests. I have created Google Forms to sign out a Google Expedition Kit, BreakoutEDU boxes, Bee Bots and Mat, Mini Spheros, and Ozobots. If you are interested in using these in your room and would like to sign them out please complete the respected form below. If you need assistance using them, please connect with Lori Blantz or Hillary Holler first to determine a time to teach you how to use or do a lesson for you first. Click on the names below of the item you would like to sign out to access the form. Google Expedition Kit, BreakoutEDU boxes, Bee Bots and Mat, Spheros and Mini Spheros, and Ozobots. An email will go to Hillary Holler and she will connect with you.

This was in a recent email from Code.org founder, Hadi Partovi.