An easy-to-grasp introduction to coding concepts for kids

Coding For Kids For Dummies breaks coding into a series of small projects, each designed to teach elementary-to-middle-school-aged students a core concept to build a game, application, or other tool. In this his hands-on, friendly guide readers will get access to a leading coding tool that has been designed specifically for kids, showing them how to create the projects provided in the book as well as how to implement them into their own creative work.

Written by a teacher and leading advocate of coding education, Coding For Kids For Dummies explains to kids in plain English how to apply the math and logic skills they already have to the subject of coding. In no time, they’ll be grasping basic coding concepts, completing their very own technical feats, and arming themselves with the computer science experience and know-how to prepare for a future working with technology.

• Lay-flat binding allows for easy access as students work on projects
• Full-color, large-print design make the information more approachable to kids
• Kids interested in computer science get a competitive edge
• The author has dedicated her career to enhancing coding and other STEM education in schools

If you’re a student who wants to learn coding, a parent who wants to help your kid pursue an interest in coding, or a teacher who is in need of a supplemental course book for your computer science class, Coding For Kids For Dummies has you covered.

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littleBits are electronic building blocks with over 60 modules and trillions of combinations. With littleBits, anyone can harness the power of electronics, microcontrollers, and the cloud–regardless of age, gender, technical ability, or educational background. You can combine these simple, snap-together, magnetic bricks to make simple electronic circuits, or build robots and devices that combine sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud connectivity. This book, co-authored by littleBits founder Ayah Bdeir, along with top-selling author Matt Richardson (Getting Started with Raspberry Pi), teaches you just enough electronics to start making things with littleBits and takes you on up through connecting littleBits to the cloud and programming with its Arduino-compatible module.

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Looking at the technology all around us-and then explaining how it works, the How Things Work Encyclopedia lifts the hood of a car engine, gets inside a TV set, and discovers the power of invisible microwaves. With close-ups, cutaways, and diagrams bringing the technology to life, and timelines illustrating the development of inventions, challenging curiosity quizzes and fascinating facts, the How Things Work Encyclopedia lets children really see and understand what’s going on inside.

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Printed in full color.

You know what’s even better than playing games? Creating your own. Even if you’re an absolute beginner, this book will teach you how to make your own online games with interactive examples. You’ll learn programming using nothing more than a browser, and see cool, 3D results as you type. You’ll learn real-world programming skills in a real programming language: JavaScript, the language of the web. You’ll be amazed at what you can do as you build interactive worlds and fun games.

You’ll jump right in and write games and simulations while learning programming fundamentals. You’ll use the ICE Code Editor, which was created especially for this book to make it easy for you to get started with JavaScript programming. With the ICE Editor, you’ll see the results of your work right away. Want a red donut? You can make hundreds of them, spinning around like crazy right next to the code you just typed.

You’ll do hands-on coding in every chapter. You’ll start by building simple animated shapes, then make your own player–who can do cartwheels! You’ll learn how to build your own games from start to finish, including a monster eating fruit, a cave puzzle, and rafting on a river. You’ll animate simple shapes to create a model of the solar system, and make your own website so that you can show off your games with your friends. If you just want to make games, jump to the lessons focusing on projects. To understand some of the theory better or if you need some help with functions, turn to the chapters that explain the programming concepts. We’ll walk you carefully through all the math needed to bring games to life.

Best of all, you get to create awesome games and say, “I made this!”

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“Using technology doesn’t mean that we throw out those strategies that we’ve found to be successful with students,” write Katie Muhtaris and Kristin Ziemke. “It’s not the tools-it’s what we do with them that counts.

Katie and Kristin start with our most important educational goals-literacy, independence, and critical thinking-and helps you connect them to the technology available in your classroom or school. You’ll help students dig into texts, research their questions, and create powerful learning communities by using digital tools effectively, responsibly, and in combination with trusted artifacts and print resources.

Amplify does exactly what the title implies. “When introducing technological tools, we often apply the same practices and strategies we use in our daily teaching, but amplify their power with technology,” write Katie and Kristin. “We model what we want students to do with the technology, guide them to try it out with us, provide time for practice, then share as a class.” They help amplify your literacy curriculum with lessons and guidance for:

• explicitly teaching kids how to be effective digital readers and thinkers
• giving students practice with closely reading images, infographics, and video
• emphasizing student ownership and creativity

Whether you are in a 1:1 school, want to squeeze everything you can out of the one device in your classroom, or your school is encouraging you to use more digital tools, read Amplify. You’ll discover how to gradually release responsibility to empower students as you-and your students-make the most of any technology.

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Getting acquainted with your Raspberry Pi has never been sweeter

Raspberry Pi For Kids For Dummies makes it easy for kids to set-up, operate, and troubleshoot like a Pi pro! Introducing you to Pi through a series of entertaining and inspiring projects, this handy, step-by-step guide shows you how to write computer games, build websites, make art and music, create electronic projects, and much more! From downloading the operating system and setting up your Raspberry Pi to creating art in Tux Paint and designing games with Scratch, everything you need to have fun with Pi is inside!

Raspberry Pi For Kids For Dummies leaves the confusing tech talk behind and explains in plain English how to unleash all the cool possibilities of Pi, like playing Minecraft in Python, using HTML to make a website, managing and customizing your Raspberry Pi, playing music with Sonic Pi, and understanding and playing with the GPIO.

• Teaches the basics of Raspberry Pi in a simple and thorough approach
• Shows you how to zoom around Pi, all while learning valuable programming skills
• Offers tons of exciting projects to keep you engaged as you learn
• Includes instruction on everything you need to troubleshoot Raspberry Pi

If you’re aspiring computer programmer age 8-18 and want to start having fun with Pi, look no further than Raspberry Pi For Kids For Dummies.

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In this new addition to the Super Skills series, children can master a new digital talent–creating blogs, vlogs, and podcasts–in 10 easy lessons! Each stage is fully illustrated with step-by-step illustrations and photographs, so children can learn 10 key skills to develop and promote an exciting new online blog or vlog. Along with professional tips and practical techniques, this book will help young readers become expert bloggers in no time. From planning what to share with the world to learning how to stay safe online, this book leads the way.

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The world’s most lethal computer virus has been unleashed into cyberspace, and now the Urban Outlaws-five tough kids dedicated to justice-must destroy it. Leader Jack knows that they have to shut it down before it throws the world into chaos. But how can he find a virus that might be anywhere, and everywhere?

Then the team meets Hector, an insanely talented hacker who even impresses Jack. The Urban Outlaws need his help, but can they trust him? It’s a risk that could mean winning big, or losing everything. . . .

This sensational sequel has all the makings of a blockbuster movie: non-stop action, cutting edge technology, and a high-stakes plot. But at the heart of this thrill ride is the story of five gutsy kids who will do anything to save the world-and protect each other.

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Arduino programming for the absolute beginner, with project-based learning

Adventures in Arduino is the beginner’s guide to Arduino programming, designed specifically for 11-to 15-year olds who want to learn about Arduino, but don’t know where to begin. Starting with the most basic concepts, this book coaches you through nine great projects that gradually build your skills as you experiment with electronics. The easy-to-follow design and clear, plain-English instructions make this book the ideal guide for the absolute beginner, geared toward those with no computing experience. Each chapter includes a video illuminating the material, giving you plenty of support on your journey to electronics programming.

Arduino is a cheap, readily available hardware development platform based around an open source, programmable circuit board. Combining these chips with sensors and servos allows you to gain experience with prototyping as you build interactive electronic crafts to bring together data and even eTextiles. Adventures in Arduino gets you started on the path of scientists, programmers, and engineers, showing you the fun way to learn electronic programming and interaction design.

• Discover how and where to begin Arduino programming
• Develop the skills and confidence to tackle other projects
• Make the most of Arduino with basic programming concepts
• Work with hardware and software to create interactive electronic devices

There’s nothing like watching your design come to life and interact with the real world, and Arduino gives you the capability to do that time and again. The right knowledge combined with the right tools can create an unstoppable force of innovation, and your curiosity is the spark that ignites the flame. Adventures in Arduino gets you started on the right foot, but the path is totally up to you.

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When an ally betrays the Urban Outlaws and steals a dangerous computer virus, the kids have no choice but to team up with a shadowy figure known as “The Shepherd” to take down their foe. Even though the kids aren’t sure who to trust, their jobs–and more importantly, their lives–are at stake if they don’t take a chance.

To track the virus, the Outlaws venture from London to the United States. As they explore the unfamiliar streets and secret passageways of New York City and Los Angeles, they once again risk everything to save themselves . . . and the world.

Reviewers have compared the Urban Outlaws series to Alex Rider, James Bond, and a modern day Robin Hood. This latest middle-grade adventure is filled with non-stop action and is not to be missed.

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Google Docs is a free online software suite of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, forms, and drawing programs. All files are stored by Google and are accessible from any computer that has Internet access. The format allows students to create, edit, share, and collaborate on documents with their peersin the classroom or at home. Discover how rewarding collaborative learning can be as you use this fantastic technological resource.

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When we begin our technology journey by grounding it in time tested comprehension instruction, we ensure that our use of technology is meaningful and authentic. We help students see the natural links between strategies they use in print text and the strategies they need to use when navigating the vast digital world.
-Stephanie Harvey, Anne Goudvis, Katie Muhtaris, and Kristin Ziemke

Active literacy strategies matter now more than ever! Our students are growing up with dynamic information systems and constantly changing online texts. Connecting Comprehension & Technology will help you expand your students’ literacy toolkit to incorporate practices that help them thrive in this digital world.

Through their celebrated Comprehension Toolkit series Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis present an active literacy learning framework that grounds students in the nonfiction reading and thinking strategies they will need throughout school and into college and careers. In Connecting Comprehension and Technology Steph and Anne invite teachers to join them in Katie Muhtaris’ and Kristin Ziemke’s classrooms to envision and embrace technology as a powerful tool for extending these Toolkit practices and enhancing literacy instruction and innovation.

Offering the know-how born from years of classroom experience and clear steps for getting started, Connecting Comprehension and Technology provides practical lessons that teach students how to navigate, evaluate, collaborate, and communicate through digital resources. Not limited to specific hardware or software, lessons are designed around technical functions; tools readily accessible to students in their world and easily adopted in your school, whether you are taking your first steps into technology or looking to leverage existing resources.

Organized around Steph and Anne’s active literacy learning framework, Connecting Comprehension and Technology will help you to teach your students how to:

Monitor Comprehension

• Reflect Thinking with a Drawing Tool
• Think About Online Information
• Notice Internet Distractions
• Evaluate Internet Sources

Activate & Connect

• Annotate Thinking Digitally
• Narrate Thinking with Podcasts
• Explore Web Features
• Compare Text and Web Features

Ask Questions

• Share Questions Online
• Read an eBook to Answer Questions
• Ask Questions in Online Discussions
• Research Lingering Questions Online

Infer & Visualize

• Visualize with Digital Drawings
• Create and Illustrate Digital Poems
• Infer with Visual Cues
• Infer with Media Cues

Determine Importance

• Organize Thinking on a Spreadsheet
• Research Digitally Archived Questions
• Collaborate on a Spreadsheet
• Evaluate Infographics

Summarize & Synthesize

• Produce a Media Project
• Create an Inquiry Movie
• Record a Video Book Review
• Create a Book Trailer

Samples

• Introduction and Sample Lessons

Not limited to specific hardware or software, lessons are designed around technical functions; tools readily accessible to students in their world and easily adopted in your school, whether you are taking your first steps into technology or looking to leverage existing resources. The accompanying DVD provides live-from-the classroom video footage of the lessons in action and a rich sampling of student work.

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Do you play computer games? If you do, you’ve probably played Minecraft. When Minecraft creator Markus Persson was young, he wasn’t very interested in the games themselves. He was more interested in the programing instructions in the computer’s manual. By the time Persson was eight years old, he was writing code for his own computer games.

When he was eighteen, Persson landed his dream job as a video game programmer. In 2009, he designed Minecraft in a single weekend. In the game, players use blocks to build whatever they choose. Persson wanted to let players use their imaginations, and the idea paid off. Today, Minecraft is one of the most popular computer games in the world. Although Persson doubts he will ever top this success, he continues to develop games, while fans wait for what’s next.

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In the virtual reality game Heir Apparent, there are way too many ways to get killed–and Giannine seems to be finding them all. Which is a darn shame, because unless she can get the magic ring, locate the stolen treasure, answer the dwarf’s dumb riddles, impress the head-chopping statue, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the man-eating dragon, she’ll never win.

And she has to, because losing means she’ll die–for real this time.

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“The Internet of Things” is the new buzzphrase, but what is it? A toaster that texts? The fitness band on your wrist? The camera in an infant’s room? Sure, it’s all of those things — and your cell phone, too! — that sense your world and report back. The great thing is that it is actually not hard or expensive to make a sensing, communicating object yourself. Doing so can be rewarding, fun, and even useful. This book teaches the basics of building sensors and communicating objects through a series of practical, demonstrative, and fun activities.

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JavaScript Robotics is on the rise. Rick Waldron, the lead author of this book and creator of the Johnny-Five platform, is at the forefront of this movement. Johnny-Five is an open source JavaScript Arduino programming framework for robotics. This book brings together fifteen innovative programmers, each creating a unique Johnny-Five robot step-by-step, and offering tips and tricks along the way. Experience with JavaScript is a prerequisite.

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They told him his uncle died in an accident. He wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, they said. But when fourteen-year-old Alex finds his uncle’s windshield riddled with bullet holes, he knows it was no accident. What he doesn’t know yet is that his uncle was killed while on a top-secret mission. But he is about to, and once he does, there is no turning back. Finding himself in the middle of terrorists, Alex must outsmart the people who want him dead. The government has given him the technology, but only he can provide the courage. Should he fail, every child in England will be murdered in cold blood.

The first in a thrilling new series by British writer Anthony Horowitz, Stormbreaker will have pulses racing from start to finish.

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Giant Afro. Even Bigger Brain.
Jaden Toussaint, 5 year-old scientist and all around cool dude, must save his school from a (possible) alien invasion. His only weapons are science, ninja dancing,and the super-powered brain power of his seriously awesome group of friends. Can Jaden Toussaint and his crew come up with a plan that doesn’t involve (dunh-dunh-dunh…) the EXTERMINATOR?

Fans of Junie B. Jones, the Magic Tree House, Dan Gutman, and Franny K. Stein will love the Jaden Toussaint series of illustrated chapter books. They are hilarious and empowering for kids and grown-ups alike. Get your copy today.
#SmartistheNewCool


What Readers Are Saying:
“A fun and funny tale!”
“In addition to following the adventure of Jaden Toussaint, it subliminally encouraged my little person to want to do his own investigations.”
“Full of fascinating details about its New Orleans setting, this book has lots to offer for little scientists. Jaden and his friends work together to solve a tricky problem and show that even scary creatures deserve our sympathy and care.”
“My son (5 yr old) was so excited to get this book. He liked ‘the Ladeks, his coat, the 3 minute dance party and the WHOLE book!’ Jaden is a cool kid and a great problem solver. I love his creativity, his ability to work as a team, recognition of others’ strengths and his super supportive family (I only wish my sister was THAT kind growing up!). The characters are warm and interconnect well. Cleverly written and entertaining with great illustrations. And I LOVE the Doctor Who references! We are already looking forward to the next episode!”

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Do you play video games? If you do, you’ve probably played a game designed by Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto pioneered a new kind of game based on story and characters, rather than competition with other players.

As a child, Miyamoto was fascinated by animated movies. He drew his own cartoons and designed children’s toys. In college, Miyamoto studied art and design. He was hired as an artist at Nintendo, a toy company that was just starting to make video games. At Nintendo, Miyamoto designed classic games such as Donkey Kong and Mario Bros . The follow-up Super Mario Bros. became the best-selling video game of its time. Today, Miyamoto still makes popular games for Nintendo, and fans can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

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Have you ever wondered where the term debugging comes from? Learn about Grace Hopper, a computer scientist and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, known for her contributions to the early development of computer programming.

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