What’s New? Computer Science! 

Baltimore City Public Schools has transitioned all elementary and middle school Technology classes to Computer Science. Computer Science classes will use the Code.org curriculum. While this great curriculum will span a majority of the school year, students at TJEMS will also receive instruction on the basics of Internet Research, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Supply List 

  • The following items will be shared by all resource and SPAR choice teachers as well as the main office, nurse’s suite, and related service providers.
    • Clorox/Lysol Wipes – 75 count
    • 1 roll of Bounty paper towels
    ***As listed on each grade level supply list, all students MUST also have a pair of headphones or earbuds that are clearly labeled and placed in a plastic Ziploc bag with the student’s name and homeroom number on the bag. These headphones are for use with computers in classrooms and in both computer labs. Headphones will be kept in homeroom classrooms or lockers for elementary school students and middle school students should keep their headphones in their backpacks on a daily basis. Please note that students who have earbuds MUST be able to use them independently. ***

What We’ll Learn This Year in Computer Science 

  • In the early grade levels we start with learning about computers, how to treat them, and what they can do. We also work on learning how to use the mouse and start learning where letters are on the keyboard. This leads to learning how to type properly beginning in second grade and continuing to work on improving typing skills throughout middle school.
  • The main part of the Computer Science curriculum uses Code.org (see the outline of the program below) which is an online coding program that teaches the students basic coding skills in a fun and creative way. Not only does this coding curriculum teach coding skills, though, it also teaches collaboration, perseverance, and logical thinking skills which help is all areas of learning.
  • While the Computer Science curriculum does not include word processing and creating presentations, I do have a little wiggle room with the curriculum so I do try to cover those skills when time allows.
  • If a student ever misses my class zoom session for any reason, they can check the Resource Google Classroom to see what they missed and complete any missed assignments.

Code.org Outline – This curriculum focuses on Seven Big Ideas and Six Computational Thinking Practices to teach students the foundations of computer science. 

  •   Seven Big Ideas – The coding courses are organized around seven big ideas, which encompass ideas foundational to studying computer science.  
    1. Big Idea 1: Creativity
    2. Big Idea 2: Abstraction
    3. Big Idea 3: Data
    4. Big Idea 4: Algorithms
    5. Big Idea 5: Programming
    6. Big Idea 6: The Internet
    7. Big Idea 7: Global Impacts
  • Six Computational Thinking Practices – Computational thinking practices capture important aspects of the work that computer scientists engage in.
    1. P1: Connecting Computing
    2. P2: Creating Computational Artifacts
    3. P3: Abstracting
    4. P4: Analyzing Problems and Artifacts
    5. P5: Communicating
    6. P6: Collaborating

The Big Ideas and Practices are not intended to be taught in any particular order, nor are they units of study in and of themselves. The Big Ideas overlap, intersect, and reference each other. The practices represent higher order thinking skills, behaviors, and habits of mind that need to be constantly visited, repeatedly honed, and refined over time.

Grading Information and Communication 

Computer Science classes at TJEMS follow the grading guidance set forth for Computer Science classes by Baltimore City Public Schools and the Office of Media and Instructional Technology.

  • 70% Assessment (20% formative assessments and 50% summative assessments)
    • 20% summative assessments
      • End of Code.org curriculum projects
    • 50% formative assessments
      • Code.org weekly lessons.
      • Word Processing and Presentation projects
      • Quizzes
  • 30% Classwork
    • journaling
    • participation
    • effort
    • other class activities
  • Click HERE to view the grading rubrics for Computer Science class.

Additional Information and Resources 

   Make-Up Work  

If a student misses Computer Science class, they are required to access any missed assignments in their Computer Science Google Classroom (which students will connect to in the week of September 13th) and complete the missed assignments BEFORE our next class. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, the parent must contact me to let me know that it is an excused absence and I will let them know and together e will determine an appropriate due date for the missed assignment(s) based on the situation. 

   Reassessment 

  •  Any formative assessment that receives less than an 80% may be revised and rescored, as long as it was initially submitted on time, a student-teacher conference has taken place, and the reassignment is resubmitted in a timely fashion (no more than 3 days after the assignment was returned to the student.) 

Computer Login Information

  • ALL students receive an individual username and a unique password. The username is the students Student/Pupil ID number, which can be found on every progress report, report card, and in their Infinite Campus parent portal. Students will be given a unique password that has been set randomly by the IT department. You can email your student’s homeroom teacher or content area teachers at any time if you need your student’s password.

Contact Information

  • Email: jahitt@bcps.k12.md.us
  • Please email me if you ever have any questions or concerns or if you just want to check in on your kiddo. I love hearing from parents!

Other Information:

Please visit TJEMS84.com, our school website, to view the Student Handbook. Mrs.Hitt follows the guidelines, rules, and procedures in this handbook diligently. Regarding Computer Science class, is suggested that parents and students read and become familiar with the following sections:

  • Code of Conduct
  • Fire Drills and Other Safety Drills
  • Prohibited Items
    • Pay Special Attention to the section titled, “A Note On Cell Phones“