#bitsbox

Because of a scheduling snafu, I caught up with 2nd grade to wrap up Techmas activities. They explored circuits with the MakeyMakey, trying out different materials to light an LED. Along the way, they discovered what was conductive and what was not. Turns out feet and flowers are conductive!

Ms. Corbin's third grade class was looking for a CS challenge, so they created musical instruments with MakeyMakeys.

3rd grade started exploring Bitsbox, a platform for creating apps that actually has them type in Javascript-type code. We talked about how learning syntax in coding is a lot like learning grammar rules and punctuation in English. 

4th grade continued working on their math games for 2nd grade project. We took a page from the 7th grade experience of creating math games in December and played some of the games created by 4th graders last year. Students shared “I like” and “I wish” observations about them and then came up with a list of "must haves" for their games.

I've got a 6th grade FABlab group that is exploring computer science. We started with a MakeyMakey game controller challenge. Next they did some interest mapping, to discover how their interests might intersect computer science. There’s a wide variety of interest!

I spent a lot of time in January prepping for the Spark Hackathon. That involves recruiting sponsors, mentors, workshop facilitators, problem statement presenters and students. I also work with Zach Minster and the student organizers to layout the plan and responsibilities for the event. The Meet & Greet was held at a gorgeous, new venue this year, Vault VA. More hackathon news will be shared in the February Highlights.

We are super excited to review the December 2019 BitsBox! My 12 year old daughter just finished her first season of robotics and she learned that she loves to code. My 8-year old son has also been using a lot of block coding apps on his iPad and computer. Bitsbox is a subscription box that teaches kids how to code! It's great for kids ages 6-12, and no previous coding experience is necessary. A new computer science concept is introduced every month. No experience necessary—beginners welcome! Perfect for curious kids ages 6 to 12 years old New projects arrive every month. Each box introduces a new computer science concept. Kids build apps on the Bitsbox website; the apps they build work on any mobile device! What it costs: $29.95 per month, or as low as 24.95 per month for 12 months Shipping: FREE (US) Right now, get 25% off your first box using this link and coupon FIRSTBOX25!

BitsBox December 2019 Review

BitsBox ships in a cute box with cute characters.

Here is our first peek into the box.

The quick start card tells you how to get started with BitsBox. All you need is a computer (we used computers and chrome books) and a web browser.

This coding box can be used by any kids (beginners included!) and when they're done learning, they can build their own apps from scratch.

There is nice BitsBox tissue paper inside...

After lifting the BitsBox tissue paper, we saw a bunch of cards and a book.

The theme of the December box is Animal House. Animals are always a hit with kids!

This is everything that we got in our box!

BitsBox Coding Cards Each of these coding cards has the code that your child will write to build an app or mini-apps. The first few cards have basic coding that is great for beginners. The cards later in the pack have "functions" which is a bit of a more advanced concept for young coders.

BitsBox Binder The coding cards can be stored neatly in this BitsBox 3-Ring Binder.

The binder also has a sturdy, plastic envelope to store the BitsBox trading cards, parent notes, and stickers.

The first coding card that my kids started on were the "Mini Apps" card.

The back of the card shows that code that is used to build these mini apps.

To build an app, your child will enter the app number that is listed on the card.

Here is the actual code that my 8-year old son entered in the web browser. Once you the code was written, and he hit the green button, he could see the monster appear and the "Have any Snacks?" text appear.

To show you another example, the Birthday Card app allows you to make your own digital birthday card and then send it to your friends.

Here is the code that is on the coding card.

Here is the birthday card app code and resulting app. This would be a fun app to send to a relative or friend!

This was the Doggleheads app which my kids loved playing around with. The beauty of coding is you can change out images, placement, or music, and my kids had a great time doing this. It definitely created a lot of laughs in our dining room!

Here you can see what is available in the BitsBox Library. It has many different types of stamps, fills, colors, sounds, songs, fonts, and commands.

BitsBox Animal House Stickers These stickers can be used to track which code missions you have completed. I think we got 3 sticker sheets because I have 3 kiddos.

My son loved tracking all of his progress.

BitsBox Window Stickers We got these cute window stickers with a fox, dog, and cat.

BitBox  Trading Cards We got 5 trading cards in a foil wrapper. My kids love Pokemon cards, and this foil packaging is similar - they love opening these kinds of packages to see what's inside!

Here's a peek at the trading cards that we received.

The Soccer Swipe mini card had this code on it.

And here is the Ninety-Nine Balloons mini card code.

BitsBox Grown-Up Guide The BitsBox Grown-Up Guide tells you all about what coding concepts your kids are learning in this box.

The Animal House box introduces the concepts of: Coordinates - placing objects based on a coordinate grid Fill - fills an object with a color or image Stamp - places an object in the app Text - writes out a text message in the app These were definitely new concepts for my 8-year old.

You can run your BitxBox apps on phones and tablets - that's pretty cool!

Paint by Sticker Kids - Zoo Animals I have seen these Paint by Sticker Books at Barnes & Noble and love the concept of them.

It's kind of like Color by Number (if you remember that as a kid), but with stickers that are mess-free. This book would be perfect for travel or to cure the "I'm bored" blues.

Here are the stickers. It's pretty easy to rip the pages out because each page is perforated.

And what it looks like in progress...

Here are a couple of completed sticker sheets.

Bitsbox extended their Cyber Monday Deal! Right now, if you spend $50, you can get $25 off any Bitsbox order. To get this deal, just use this link and coupon code CYBER25. OR Get 25% off your first box using this link and coupon FIRSTBOX25! Bitsbox is a crazyfun subscription box that teaches kids how to code! No experience necessary—beginners welcome! Perfect for curious kids ages 6 to 12 years old New projects arrive every month. Each box introduces a new computer science concept. Kids build apps on the Bitsbox website; the apps they build work on an y mobile device! What it costs: $29.95 per month, or as low as 24.95 per month for 12 months Shipping: FREE (US)

Bring Ideas to Life Deluxe Bitsbox Giveaway! @homejobsbymom #BitsboxKids #STEM #Bitsbox

Bring Ideas to Life Giveaway ~ Ends 8/18 @homejobsbymom #BitsboxKids #STEM #Bitsbox

Welcome to the Bring Ideas to Life Giveaway!

  The hard part about teaching kids to code isn’t getting them interested, it’s keeping them interested. Our deluxe box is the perfect jolt of fun to keep your young coder engaged.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS 2 Winners

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