Bits and Bytes

Summer Code-A-Thon

 

Looking for something fun and engaging to do this summer?  Join the Summer Code-A-Thon sponsored by Tynker.  This is a website Pitner students are very familiar with.  Each year, we participate in the worldwide Hour of Code initiative designed to spark student interest in STEM careers.  

Every week, kids receive new coding challenges, with chances to win awesome prizes for their creations. The goal is to give kids a series do-it-yourself coding missions to channel their creativity and keep their minds sharp during the summer months.

For program details and instructions on how to participate, check out the Summer Code-A-Thon blog post.

The 2017 Summer Code-A-Thon is free and open to any child with a Tynker account, but requires a connected parent account in order to be eligible for additional participation certificates and prizes.

Remember, always ask a parent before you sign up online for any website!  That's Digital Citizenship 101!!

 

I hope you're enjoying your summer!

 

Mrs. Parks

The End of the Year is Here!

Looking back, this year has FLOWN by!  We've been very busy in the computer lab and HOT Spot learning new and exciting things!  Third through fifth grade have worked on their typing skills.  Some are almost fast enough to challenge me!  I've been very proud of their progress.

Prodigy is still a very popular program.  Please encourage your student to use it during the summer to help keep their math skills sharp!  Grades 2 - 5 all have logins to this great program.  

Speaking of summer, I'll be posting resources throughout our break that can help your child's skills stay sharp until we return to school in July.  In addition to aiding their skills, they will be interesting and fun as well!

My first featured program is a online reading app called Epic!  This site allows you to access over 20,000 books for kids aged 12 and under.  It's a library you can take with you anywhere.  The link sends you to the site where you are offered a free 30 day trial and the monthly membership after that is only $4.99 a month.  Members can read on the Web, iOS and Android devices.  

Start Your Free Trial to Epic! Click Here!

DISCOVER NEW BOOKS

Personalized Recommendations Based on Interest and Level

TRACK PROGRESS

Reward System Offers Extra Motivation to Keep Kids Reading

READ-TO-ME

Hundreds of Read-To-Me and Audio Books Included

 

Check back regularly this summer to discover great new websites and apps that are great for your kids to explore!

 

Mrs. Parks