Literacy is far more than the ability to read and write. It's also understanding, communicating, and thinking.
I was awarded a literacy grant from Phi Kappa Phi to do some STEAM outreach with a group of girls here in Mumbai.
These girls come from underprivileged backgrounds and a variety of circumstances. There is a small army of volunteers and others who look after their daily care and welfare. Some help tutor academics and English language, others participate in cultural celebrations and wellness efforts. I am honored to join those who reach out with their time and love to support these girls.
For the purpose of this grant, I've expanded the definition of literacy. I have three main goals:
I will rotate through Coding, Digital Literacy, STEAM, and English language activities. My goal is to expand their thinking and expose them to tools and resources they don't already have.
Today was my first day and like all first days it was a bit rough but also wonderful.
I was awarded a literacy grant from Phi Kappa Phi to do some STEAM outreach with a group of girls here in Mumbai.
These girls come from underprivileged backgrounds and a variety of circumstances. There is a small army of volunteers and others who look after their daily care and welfare. Some help tutor academics and English language, others participate in cultural celebrations and wellness efforts. I am honored to join those who reach out with their time and love to support these girls.
For the purpose of this grant, I've expanded the definition of literacy. I have three main goals:
- Girls will improve English language skills
- Girls will learn digital literacy skills
- Girls will strengthen their innovative spirits.
I will rotate through Coding, Digital Literacy, STEAM, and English language activities. My goal is to expand their thinking and expose them to tools and resources they don't already have.
Today was my first day and like all first days it was a bit rough but also wonderful.
Coding 101
I like the computational and critical thinking that coding requires. Using the Move It, Move It lesson plan from Code.org, I introduced some offline coding activities.
We defined "instructions" and practiced giving each other instructions. We played the Move It game where a person gives simple hand signals one at a time to another player in order to find the hidden smiley face. They caught on really quickly and I had to keep adding papers to make it harder.
To test their understanding, they completed Meet the Flurbs worksheet, pasting in arrow commands. They aced it.
Having built a foundation, they were ready for something more challenging. On the iPad we practiced with Daisy the Dinosaur, Move the Turtle, and Cargo-Bot. It was a little tricky sharing iPads, as it always is (even with only 2 kids on a device), and they each wanted sufficient opportunity to try.
Perhaps the most rewarding part for me was watching them try, get frustrated, try again, feel proud of themselves for succeeding, and then reach over to help the other person figure it out.
That alone is a valuable journey for Day 1.
That alone is a valuable journey for Day 1.
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