Assign content as homework that students can learn from reading (like FOR loop syntax) so you can spend class time on more difficult topics where teacher guidance is the most needed (like what code goes inside of a loop).
Misconception: When students use the division operator during declaration or assignment of a Double in Java, like double x = a/b, they forget about integer division, which can result in rounding errors.
At the end of each class, have students write themselves a summary of the big ideas they learned so they get practice sifting through lots of information to find its most important ideas.
Have students analyze the effects of changing pieces of a loop to improve their understanding of loop structure.
Misconception: Students don’t understand that the right side of an assignment statement is executed before the assignment. They think that variables store unresolved equations.
Have students create a reset script and it store in their Scratch backpack so they can use in the future to set the Stage back to a uniform starting point.
Show students the visual representation of recursion in the Modern Family title sequence for a fun way to introduce them to this concept.
Have students use lollipop sticks or toothpicks to represent each statement call in an N-ary recursive algorithm.
Set aside class time to read parts of Blown to Bits, a book about the social impact of technology, and then have discussions about the content and your students’ responses.
Use constructive and well-formed examples, like Quicksort, to teach recursion so that students have a strong model for building their own solutions.
Point out Scratch’s built-in variables before students create their own variables so that students become familiar with variable-related blocks.
Let students solve problems the long, hard, intuitive way first to motivate the use of more advanced Scratch blocks that can help them solve problems in a shorter, faster, more flexible way.
Reach out to incoming students who have expressed an interest being a CS major in order to begin building relationships with and advising these students to help them become a part of the CS community.
Incorporate student presentations into your class as a form of assessment so that students develop their public speaking skills.
Moderate a group discussion with teams that have trouble working together to resolve disagreements and encourage collaboration in a constructive way.
Encourage students to ask questions about homework assignments in class, because other students may be struggling with the same question.