[plt-scheme] 3rd-8th Grade

I can find information about XS, but I can't find XS.  That's a good 
lead, though.  Thanks.

rac

On Mar 18, 2006, at 1:02 PM, Geoffrey Knauth wrote:

> My 3rd grader is sitting right behind me working on a computer, but 
> composing music, using Practica Musica.  The editor does some funny 
> things (leading to occasional outbursts), so I heartily second Matt's 
> recommendation that interactions should be "positive, authentic, 
> constructive, fun."
>
> At LL3, Taiichi Yuasa presented "XS: Lisp on Lego MindStorms."  I 
> think my kids are at the age where they would enjoy it.  See:  
> http://ll3.ai.mit.edu/abstracts.html
>
> I mentioned to Tim Hickey that I had some downtime, and he wrote back, 
> "I've spoken to many parents that are looking for a way to get their 
> kids interested in programming. Building a JScheme tutorial especially 
> for kids might fill a need!"
>
> Geoffrey
> --
> Geoffrey S. Knauth | http://knauth.org/gsk
>
>
> On Mar 18, 2006, at 12:33, Richard Cleis wrote:
>
>> I dropped in on the fifth meeting of a robot club for children in 
>> grades 3 through 8.  The Robots were made from Lego kits and the task 
>> was to remove toxic waste barrels (soup cans) from a warehouse (a 4 
>> foot circle).  The programs were 'written' with drag-drop icons and 
>> transferred to the independent robots.
>>
>> It was very encouraging to see how well the children could change the 
>> designs to eventually make a successful machine.  It was also 
>> illuminating to see them blame the software for everything, just like 
>> in an adult laboratory.
>>
>> I wonder, though, about the 100% drag-drop programming.  I am neither 
>> a father nor an educator, so I am asking those who are: shouldn't the 
>> children at least see some words that cause the movements, if not be 
>> encouraged to type a few?
>
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