Challenge Charter School is proud to announce our partnership with TechSmart Kids! We are leading the way as the first school in Arizona to bring this unique and fun opportunity to our kids.
TechSmart kids will add value to, not replace, other important content. We have worked diligently this summer to integrate coding instruction and skill development directly into the content-rich Core Knowledge® curriculum that our kids love and that is already proven successful! This partnership will take math instruction to the next level as well as problem solving, logic, sequencing/order of operations, and computer science.
Research shows that computer science’s role in the economy continues to grow exponentially, but the limited K-12 programs only expose kids to the concepts, not immerse them. We have found the perfect curriculum to immerse them years before most will even be exposed giving CCS kids yet another early advantage!
This fun, unique, and integrated curriculum has interchangeable views of SkyLark block and Python code and can be differentiated for any ability level. All CCS kids will become proficient Python coders (an employable skill) by the end of 6th grade! Talk about Leading the Class as they begin middle school!
The CCS team has devoted significant time and consideration to the research behind coding instruction benefits and to finding just the right fit and best available program to align with the school’s consistent mission and emphasis in science and technology integrated with the content-rich Core Knowledge® curriculum.
Using a custom schedule, instruction will be delivered two times a week as recommended for any foreign language and provide strong foundations through group instruction, guided exercises, independent and team based projects in 2nd grade and above. Kindergarten and 1st grade will continue to be exposed to coding basics and activities as part of their computer science foundation classes with CCS Technology Teacher and Certified Coding Instructor, Mrs. Dismukes.
Principal Miller and 10 other CCS team members became Certified Coding Instructors during an intensive training program this summer and are ready to challenge and excite our kids with this new opportunity. Watch for continued and frequent communication about the TechSmart Kids implementation at CCS. We know our Eagles are UP to the TechSmart Kids CHALLENGE!