CMK Toolkit - Constructing Modern Knowledge

Multiple Studios = Overlapping Powerful Ideas = Common Tools = Fluency
*image by Sylvia Martinez*

Our Favorite Software

Turtle Art (program beautiful designs with this block-based Logo microworld that may be exported to cutters) Use this version if the other seems buggy on your computer.
Turtlestitch (program embroidery with this dialect of Snap!, based on Logo)
Scratch (popular block-based programming language and community for learning to code)
Snap! (block-based web-based programming language for serious computing and the Hummingbird Bit)
Microsoft MakeCode
- MakeCode for the BBC micro:bit
- MakeCode Arcade
microBlocks (ingenius alternative to MakeCode for programming microcontroller development boards like the BBC micro:bit)
Lynx (Web-based multimedia version of Logo)
Makers Empire, terrific 3D design software for Mac, PC, Chromebook, and IOS designed for K-8 classrooms
Beetleblocks (3D Snap! programming that exports to a 3D printer)

Essential Reading For Institute Participants

A Plethora of Curated Progressive Education Resources by Gary Stager (discussed during fireside chat)
Twenty Things to Do with a Computer by Cynthia Solomon and Seymour Papert
Computer as Material: Messing About with Time by Seymour Papert and George Franz
Logo History
What’s the Big Idea? Toward a Pedagogy of Idea Power by Seymour Papert
What is Logo? And Who Needs It? By Seymour Papert
Constructing Modern Knowledge – Uncompromising Constructionism for Teacher Development (This article describes the method behind our institute approach.)
Invention Literacy by Jay Silver

Physical Computing with the BBC micro:bit and Hummingbird Bit Robotics Kit

Micro:Bit Getting Started

Micro:Bit Software Options

Microsoft MakeCode programming environment for all devices
Using micro:bits with Scratch instructions (including necessary Scratch Link software for Bluetooth Mac/Windows)
- Firmware (.HEX file) for using the micro:bit with Scratch
New programming environments for learning (Fall 2020)

Other Stuff To Buy (For Our Workshops & Beyond)

More Micro:Bit Resources

A New Block-Based Programming Environment (Alpha Version – Try It Out!)

MicroBlocks programming environment

The Circuit Playground Express

Adafruit overview site

Micro:Bit And Micro:Bit Add-On Board Suppliers And Vendors

Sparkfun Electronics – Specializes in hobbyist electronic components, tools, and kits. Sparkfun micro:bit boards and add-ons. Ask for educator discounts.
Adafruit – Unique and Fun DIY Electronics and Kits. Check the Young Engineers section for selections that are whimsical and fun. Ask for educator discounts.
Robotshop – All your robot needs in one place. Robots for home, school, and professional use, plus drones, wearable technology, kits, toys, parts, and apps.
PiMoroni – “Tech Treasures” abound from this UK based vendor for Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, and other microcontrollers, plus kits, accessories, and tools. The name? It stands for Pirate-Monkey-Robot-Ninja, of course.
Kitronik – Makes and sells electronic project kits for micro:bit, e-textiles, robotics, and other maker needs. UK-based.
(Australia) Education Technology Specialists. Micro:bits, add-on boards, and related products.

Hummingbird Bit Robotics

Software for Hummingbird Bit

Tutorials for using the Hummingbird Bit with MakeCode
Microsoft MakeCode for the Hummingbird Bit (direct link – otherwise add Hummingbird via Extensions)
Tutorials for using Snap! with the Hummingbird Bit

Download The Bluebird Connector

Hummingbird Project Ideas

Tutorials for using multiple Hummingbird Bits or micro:bits with a Hummingbird Bit, including cool ideas for a rover and calibrating the compass.

Related Materials

Why we love the Hummingbird Bit Robotics Kit
Program your Own Gameboy! (MakeCode Arcade opportunities)
Books for creative educators from Constructing Modern Knowledge Press
The micro:bit Matters – a guide to understanding the micro:bit
The Invent To Learn Guide to Block Programming
Complete Invent To Learn Workshop Kit/Handout
Maker Resources for Educators – All the Invent to Learn workshop handouts, posters, and shopping lists.

Making Games

Steve Dembo’s Making Games Slide Deck from the Chicago 2021 Invent To Learn Institute

Basic Computer Games books (classic inspiration in pdf form)

Basic Computer Games (first edition 1973)
More Basic Computer Games (1980)

Arcade game collections created by Invent To Learn Institute participants (August 2021)

Mathematics, Coding, and Computer Science

Invent To Learn Quickstart Guides

Getting Started with the BBC micro:bit

Free Classic Turtle Geometry E-Books

Barry Newell’s books, Turtle Confusion and Turtle Speaks Mathematics

Invent To Learn Web Sites

The Daily Papert (archives of Papert writing and media)
The Invent To Learn website (oodles of resources)
Constructing Modern Knowledge Press (publisher of books by creative educators for creative educators)
Gary Stager’s blog, Stager-to-Go

Constance Kamii Math Resources

Constance Kamii math videos (multiple videos)

Constance Kamii Direct vs Indirect Ways of Teaching Number Concepts at Ages 4-6
A comprehensive lecture explaining Piagetian ideas showing that although number concepts cannot be taught directly, they can be taught indirectly by encouraging children to think.

Kamii Games for Developing Number Sense

Arithmetic Games with Playing Cards
Modifying a Board Game (Sorry) to Foster Kindergartners’ Logico-Mathematical Thinking
Lining-Up the 5s – A Card Game
Kamii Game Cards to download and print
Kamii on Games over Worksheets (article)
An important paper by Constance Kamii – Selected Standards from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Grades K-3: My Reasons for Not Supporting Them

Logo Activities

These activities designed for MicroWorlds EX should be applicable to other programming environments, like Turtle Art, Scratch, Snap!, and especially Lynx. If you translate any of these activities for other languages, please let me know!

Old-fashioned Quilt Making in an Online Collaborative Setting – Use MicroWorlds EX in this simple open-ended creativity project. (2007)
Making Aboriginal Dreamtime Designs with MicroWorlds – An interdisciplinary project (2000)
Gary’s Fraction Software Activity
21st Century Logo Quilts – A Twist on a Classic Geometry/Art Activity (1999)
Build Your Own Virtual Pet with MicroWorlds
Make Your Own Tamagotchi ©1998-99 Adam Smith with a bit of help from Gary Stager
Turning Math Manipulatives Inside Out (1998)
MicroWorlds Claymation – Create your own Wallace and Gromit with one line of code! (2000)

Software Manuals & Reference Materials

Getting Started with Lynx
Lynx project guides, activity cards, teacher resources
List of Lynx Primitives (reference manual)

Snap!

Snap! Reference Manual
Learning Modules for Beginners by SAP Young Thinkers
Computer Science with Snap!, by Eckart Modrow

Snap! MOOCS And Online Courses

Get Coding with Snap! at openSAP
From Media Computation to Data Science at openSAP
The Beauty and Joy of Computing (AP Computer Science Principals Course)
Introduction to Computer Science at TEALS

Wolfram Resources

Resources related to Conrad and Stephen Wolfram’s work on math, computation, and programming
Books, getting started with Wolfram Language guides, & links to many videos

Articles About Teaching Programming

What’s Your Hurry?
A Modest Proposal (using Scratch books as reading texts)
Masterclass archived video – Gary Stager’s approach to teaching programming
Video – Summer Camp Computing or, Nostalgia for the Future

Books And Magazines For Programming Project Ideas

Recommended resources for many programming languages and books on the Invent to Learn site.
Hello World – A magazine for teachers and kids about making and computing. Free to download, also free by mail to UK educators.
HackSpace Magazine – Although published in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, this magazine offers open source projects for a wide variety of physical computing and fabrication projects. All issues can be downloaded for free.