[Aine O Broin]

Part 1:
Prompt: Goldilocks and the three bears
Goldilocks has just awoken to the bears opening the door. She must make it outside before the see her but she cannot use the stairs and the windows are too high to jump. She must attach the bedsheets together, head out the window and get as far away from the house as possible. The house will be a chair and the children will have paper (bedsheets), sticky labels and straws and must create a safe route for Goldilocks (a marble) to escape the house.

Part 2:
The research shows that computational thinking is an essential skill needed in the 21st century. The research shows that by introducing CT at an early stage, young children will develop collaboration skills, critical thinking, planning, problem solving skills that can be developed throughout life. It helps to develop a growth mindset allowing them to tackle challenges and develop creativity. Introducing CT concepts through age appropriate engaging activities, storytelling and coding games like unplugged activities as Beebot will be of greatest benefit. Resources and teacher training are essential for its success.

[Aine O Broin]

Goldilocks and the three bears. In this STEAM lesson, children will work in groups to construct a new chair for baby bear that won’t break when Goldilocks sits on it.

Materials:
Goldilocks and the three bears story
Pipe cleaners
Glue
Lollipop sticks
Variety of cardboard
Scissors
Straws
Elastic bands
Doll to test chair strength

Read Goldilocks and the three bears aloud to the class.
After reading, ask children why the chair broke when Goldilocks sat on it. Can they think of other materials that wouldn’t have broken? Did the design of the chair matter?

Divide the class into 6 groups and tell them that we have been set a challenge to design a new chair for baby bear that won’t break. They can only use the materials on their table and have 30min urea before Goldilocks will be in to test each chair. Each group must choose a designer, builder, project manager/leader and Time keeper.
After the time is up, the same nominated person will place Goldilocks on the chairs for fairness.
Discussion on what worked well and what they would change next time.

Assessment:
Observation of participation and teamwork.
Evaluation of the chair design and construction.
Group reflection and discussion on what they learned.

[Aine O Broin]

The children of today have grown up in a technological world and need to be equipped to deal with the ever changing advances being made. Digital skills can help develop computational thinking and coding skills in children while using digital tools in lessons allow for more interactive, engaging and accessible to all.

By choosing digital learning as the SSE focus, schools can evaluate how well the digital learning plan is being implemented and whether the school has/is using its resources effectively. Schools can reflect on practices used and change accordingly going forward to better suit the need of the school.

Professional development of all teachers through a range of mentoring, modelling and courses will allow teachers to feel comfortable in imparting this knowledge on the children and staying up to date on relevant advances. By using the Digital Strategies for schools to 2027 document, all schools will be following best practice.

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