Category Archives: Education

Education

Is STEM Really Helping Kids Succeed in the Classroom?

There’s a lot of talk about hands-on STEM projects in classrooms and how they help kids, but do they really? At CodeREV Kids we’ve seen plenty of evidence that they do but we know that not everyone is convinced. Let’s cover some of the basics of STEM based learning and perhaps even those who are skeptical will have a better understanding.

Why a focus on STEM now?

Many parents wonder why all of a sudden they’re seeing a huge focus on STEM. The truth is that the U.S. Department of Labor statistics are a big part in why educational facilities are encouraging kids to get involved in STEM projects at an early age – because there are going to be an estimated 1.4 million new jobs in information technology by the time our kids are ready to start out in a career.

Not only are there are a lot of jobs in STEM fields, but these are jobs that pay higher than other jobs do. In fact, according to the most recent statistics, the most in-demand jobs in STEM fields include technology and engineering.

Jobs aren’t the only reason that parents are turning toward STEM though. STEM projects in schools can help kids prepare for the future in a number of ways, including giving kids the skills needed to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion.

Learning in a project-based atmosphere

Think about how you learn best. Is it by reading something in a book or by getting hands-on experience with it? If you’re like most people, you know that you learn best when you’re able to try something out for yourself. Do you think children are any different? Of course not. STEM topics are perfect for hands-on learning through robotics, Minecraft games, and much more.

Are you interested in getting your kids involved?

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in coding, one of the most interesting STEM-based projects for kids, then CodeREV Kids welcomes the opportunity to work with you. We have classes after school throughout the year, camps available during school breaks, and we even offer programs at individual schools. If you have questions about your child’s options, or you want more information on why they should get involved, feel free to reach out to us. Our passion is helping your kids discover and build their own passion for technology.

 

Education

4 Things Every Parent Should Know About Common Core Standards

There’s a lot of negative talk about common core standards and we understand why. It can be confusing for some and to many parents it feels like a new complicated system when the old system was working fine. At CodeREV Kids we understand these feelings but there are also a few things we want every parent to understand about common core standards.

1. Common core requires more critical thinking

We believe it’s important for kids to not just memorize facts but to use their critical thinking skills. The type of thinking kids learn doing common core are the same types of thinking skills they’ll need when they get a job, work toward college, or get into a trade. Yes, kids need to learn facts but they also need to learn how to think critically. In fact, that’s one of the reasons more kids are learning how to code.

2. Expectations should be high

In our experience, there’s no better way to predict how successful a child will be than to look at how much their parents expect from them. You should expect your children to do well with common core and in turn they will. However, if you give them the feeling that it’s something they’ll never learn, then chances are decent that they’ll never learn.

3. You’ll need to monitor their progress

Part of your job as a parent is to monitor your child’s educational process and this is true of common core as well. You’ll need to make sure they’re on track and that they are participating, taking active roles, and thinking creatively inside and outside of school.

4. It’s time to recognize that all kids can learn

It’s true that not every child learns in the same way. That’s why we offer flex coding courses for kids that allow your child to learn at their own pace. However, just because every kid may learn differently doesn’t mean that some kids can’t learn. Some kids may pick up info quickly while others need more time and patience. Some need more time with a class while others need more one-on-one time with a tutor.

No matter what your child’s learning type is, the reality is that you can provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their education and in their life. For many kids, learning to code is an important leg up that helps them for their entire academic career – and well beyond!

Education

6 Ways to Help Kids Focus

At CodeREV Kids, we work with parents all the time who struggle to get their kids to focus. We understand that this is a real issue and we’ve come up with six of our favorite tips to help your kids get on board.

1. Make it clear that you expect them to take their time

Often times, kids don’t meet their parent’s expectations because they don’t understand those expectations. Make it clear that you don’t want them to race through everything. Encourage them to pause, take their time, and understand tasks in front of them.

2. Encourage plenty of breaks

When you give your kids plenty of brakes, they’re able to expend their energy and focus better. Work with them to come up with the right amount of time to work and how much of a break they’ll take. When they have a say in how the time is allotted, they’ll be more likely to be on board.

3. Show them how to do one thing at a time

We live in a world that values multi-tasking but kids must learn how to do one thing at a time before they can learn how to do several things at once.

4. Get rid of distractions

If kids have something else to focus on, it’s not surprise that they’re going to focus on. Don’t allow them to study with the TV on and don’t expect them to be able to concentrate if you’re in the same room talking to another family member. Give them private, distraction-free spots to work.

5. Come up with a plan

Teaching kids how to plan their day can help them focus but it can also help teach them general organizational skills. You don’t need to buy a day planner for them, but you can break down a large task and help them see how working towards it a little each day will result in a big pay off in the end.

6. Find fun ways to teach them

The reality is that kids are going to have a harder time focusing when they’re learning via tasks that don’t hold their interest. With some subject matters, there’s likely no way around this. However, when it comes to STEM subjects, supplement their school learning with coding classes. Why coding? Because it teaches them a host of skills including focus, problem-solving, and much more. Let CodeREV Kids help you get your kids on track.

Education

Is Your Child on the Road to Scholastic Success This Year? A Checklist to Find Out

The last thing any parent wants is to find out that their child is behind in school but it’s even worse when you find out when it’s too late to do anything about it. That’s why CodeREV Kids has come up with this simple checklist you can do. Now that it’s November, your child has likely been in school long enough to have a pretty good idea of how they’re doing. Use this handy guide to assess their progress.

Are you still moving towards the goal you set at the beginning of the school year?

We always recommend that parents start out every school year with specific goals for their child. Older kids can come up with their own goals, but they should be clearly defined with easy to follow steps to achieve those goals. For example, one goal might be to improve science scores and one of the steps to get there could be to engage with coding classes. Whatever their goals are, November is a good time to ensure that they’re still on track.

Is extra help needed?

Now is a good time to take a look at your child’s schoolwork and grades so far and decide if they need extra help. You never want your child to get so far behind that it feels impossible to catch up. If they need a tutor, to join a study group, or one-on-one time with you, now is a great time to assess how much help they need to move forward.

What are your attitudes like?

It’s important to remember that if your child has a positive attitude, that they’re more likely to do well in school. However, don’t forget that your attitude is important too! Even if your child has a teacher who’s unfair, remember that there are actions you can take to have behavior corrected but you must also ensure that you keep a positive attitude. Don’t kid yourself: Your children are watching.

These are just a few of the steps you can take at this point in the school year. Of course, at CodeREV Kids we have a lot of ideas for extracurricular activities your children can get involved in, from coding classes to Minecraft servers that allow their creative minds to shine. Get ahold of us today to learn more about how we can help your child build life-long skills.

Education

Are Grade Trackers a Good Idea for Kids?

At CodeREV Kids, we’ve seen a lot of advice for parents to use grade trackers. In fact, we’ve seen this suggestion so much that we put on our thinking caps to try and decide if it makes sense or not. For those of you who don’t know, a grade tracker is exactly what you’d imagine: It’s a spot where you list and monitor the grades of your child. Your child’s school may have this available through their website or you can use an academic planner to create your own.

Are they good or bad?

As with virtually any other recommendation for kids, grade trackers have both positives and negatives and it’s important to know that your student will out get something out if it if it’s used consistently and in the right way. In fact, it’s similar to our coding classes in that if kids are open to them, they’re likely to do well. Here are some of the things we like about grade trackers for kids:

  • You get a real-time overview. Kids are growing up in a world where we all get instant updates on almost everything. Why not extend that to grades? Why wait until the end of the term to find out if your child is struggling? Grade trackers give you an update on a regular basis, which allows you to make adjustments when there’s still time to make a difference in their grade.
  • Your child will have a better idea of their teacher’s expectations. It’s no secret that different teachers expect different things from their students. A grade tracker makes it easy to see which classes your child needs to focus on and allows you and / or your child to discuss expectations directly with the teacher when necessary.
  • It has an effect on goal planning. More and more research is showing that it’s a good idea for kids to have both long-term and short-term goals and to learn early how important it is to meet them. Grade trackers allow them to follow up on their goals and see how they’re doing.
  • It can boost confidence and motivation. One of the things that parents love so much about the classes offered at CodeREV Kids is that they not only teach kids things, but they boost their confidence. Grade trackers have been shown to have the same effect.

Are grade trackers good for every kid? Probably not. But when used in conjunction with other measures, they’re a great way for kids and parents to stay up to date on education.

Education

Out of the Box Ideas to Help Improve Your Child’s Writing

Regardless of your child’s future educational or career goals, there’s no question that being able to clearly, concisely, and compellingly write is a skill that will serve them well in school, work, and their entire life. Being able to write clearly reflects the fact that a child is able to think clearly. Many parents just have their kids write something every day, but at CodeREV Kids, we’re always looking for unique ways to get kids motivated. Here are some of the out of the box ideas we’ve come up with.

Visit the grandparents

Before teaching your child how to write things down on paper, they first must understand how a story is told well and organically. The stories older folks can tell are truly amazing! Take your child to an elder and prompt that elder to tell a unique story. Afterwards, sit down with your child and have them re-tell the story. Give them constructive ideas on what they could have left out or added in to make the story more compelling or clearer.

Get a pen pal

One of the things we’ve learned at CodeREV Kids is that kids will learn better and absorb more information when it’s not just told to them but when they’re learning it in a hand’s-on environment. If you want your kids to learn to write more clearly, then get them writing about something they’re interested in. There are all sorts of pen pal programs out there that can pair up your kids with a child down the street or across the world.

Boost their confidence

In many cases, the issues with writing come from a child lacking confidence. They don’t think they’re a good writer and so they’re afraid to try, or they don’t think they have anything unique or interesting to say and so they’re afraid to pick up a pen. When you change the focus to something like coding classes, your child will experience a boost in confidence. They’ll also get a better understanding of the many different types of creativity out there.

Are you ready to get your kid ready for the rest of their life? If so, CodeREV Kids is just the partner you need. Check out our classes online, sign up for options at your own pace, or give us a call for advice on what will work best for your kid.

Education

Why Are STEM Based Projects So Popular in Schools?

If you’ve been in an advanced classroom recently then you’ve likely seen some hands-on STEM based experiments going on. But why is the demand for STEM so popular, seemingly all of a sudden? Why is this acronym, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, now a part of a parent’s vocabulary? CodeREV Kids is here to help it all make sense.

STEM does a lot for kids

It’s not a coincidence that classrooms across the country are embracing STEM. It helps increase a kid’s ability to solve problems, it encourages active learning, and it keeps kids engaged. The skills it teaches are crucial for success in the 21st century, and it’s a way to get kids involved in not just a single subject but at least two at a time – which teaches kids not just what they need to know but why they need to know it.

There’s a huge demand for STEM workers

According to the latest stats from the Department of Labor, there will be almost 1.5 million new information technology jobs by 2020. Not only is the demand for these jobs high, but these are jobs that may more than average. Of course, not all STEM jobs are the same – the Department of Labor predicts that the best and most in-demand jobs will be in engineering and technology.

It’s not all about jobs

No matter what career a field a child decides to go into later down the line, most parents want their children to be scientifically literate. They want them to know the difference between a fact and an opinion. They want them to be able to research and figure out what’s real and what’s not.

Project-based learning is important

In many cases, STEM-based classes are project based, which has gotten an increasingly good rep as the best way to teach kids. When kids learn via project-based learning, they don’t just memorize facts, they actually learn how to apply their new skills to real life situations. The types of classes offered by CodeREV Kids helps improve project planning skills, collaboration, and communication – all of which are useful skills for kids to have.

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in STEM-based, hands-on learning, then it’s time to reach out to CodeREV Kids! We offer tons of class options and are happy to speak with you if you need help deciding what the best classes for your kids would be.

Education

What is STEM and Why is it So Important to Kids?

A recent study by the U.S. Department of commerce shows that occupations involving STEM are growing at 17%. Other occupations? They’re growing at less than 10%. People who have a degree in a STEM field have a higher income than those who are involved in other careers. In fact, science, technology, engineering, and math workers are not only currently playing an essential role in sustaining the U.S. economy, but they will remain a critical component well into the future.

STEM education creates more than you may think

Many parents are surprised to learn that STEM education does a lot more than they think. In fact, it can boost science literacy, create kids who think critically, and enable an entire generation to be more than workers but to be innovators. Innovation is a necessary part of a continually growing economy. It’s clear from stats and observation that most future jobs will require at least a basic understanding of science and math.

What exactly is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands in for “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s an essential part of everything we do every day. Science is all around us, technology is quickly expanding into every aspect of daily life, engineering is the basic foundation for roads, bridges, and taking on environmental concerns, and mathematics is used in every job and in every activity we do.

When students are exposed to STEM and given the chance to really explore concepts related to STEM, they’re more likely to take a deep interest and may end up pursuing a job in STEM. Programs like those CodeREV Kids offers gives them a chance to get involved in a hands-on way that can unleash a passion for learning you didn’t know was there. We strive to make math and science not just subjects to memorize, but important concepts that are fun and interesting.

Why is STEM so important?

The National Science Foundation is on record stating that in the 21st century, science and technology have become more important than ever before. As the world becomes more globalized, and the economy focuses more on knowledge than labor, kids will need STEM skills to succeed. Remember that STEM classes can help kids be more creative, to be better problem solvers, and to learn how to engage in the world around them instead of simply memorizing facts.

Education

How Can We Best Prepare Kids for the World of Tomorrow?

Every parent wants to prepare their child for their future but in today’s world, it can feel more complicated than ever. At CodeREV Kids, we believe that before we can figure out how to best prepare kids for the future, we must consider what the future will actually look like.

Kids are growing up in a world that wants their attention 24/7

Think about how many sounds you hear every day, just from your cell phone. With its dings, vibrations, and ringing, you can see that the world is simply trying to gain our attention all the time. While you may wish for a different world, this is the reality. Kids must be taught to cope with a world that wants their attention all the time. Remember that for many of us, this is a new novelty but for kids it’s the way it’s always been.

Kids are growing up in a world where communication is done through technology

Do you teach your kids manners for real life situations? Of course you do – it’s been common practice for centuries. Yet many parents don’t think about teaching their kids manners online. They need to know they’re expected to be honest and kind, whether in real life or online. A lot of this is taught by the way you act. Kids notice more than you think.

Kids are growing up in a world that’s driven by technology

Technology gives a lot to kids, but it can also come with negative aspects. You don’t want technology to totally consume your child’s life, but you do want to be prepared for the real world. What do you do? At CodeREV Kids, we have a lot of solutions for you! You can start by making sure that their screen time is put to good use. Check out the classes we offer and let us turn technology from a negative to a positive.

Kids are growing up in a world with endless information – and not all of it is accurate

Kids are growing up in a world where any piece of information they want is available at their fingertips. There’s just one problem: It’s not always accurate information. Do your kids know how to find the truth? Do they know what steps to take to verify any source? These are things kids must learn if they’re going to be contributing members of society.

Education

Think Only Boys Like Robotics? Think Again

At CodeREV Kids we see it all the time: parents who are surprised that girls can be into robots too. The truth is that one of our goals is to promote STEM-learning for all kids – both boys and girls. A recent article in the Belleville News-Democrat, O’Fallon Girl Scouts reach out to youth with robotics camp, made us proud of the girls involved.

13 girls from a local O’Fallon Girl Scout troop formed a group called Oops! Robotics, and managed to qualify for state competitions in both Missouri and Illinois in 2015. Now they’re getting involved in several youth robotics programs in STEM camps in Edwardsville and Belleville.

The Oops! Robotics team was created by the O’Fallon Girl Scouts and has girls from several schools involved. The group has gotten very involved in community service too – in fact, just last year they gave more than 1,100 hours to their community. Kids that are high school now began the program in 6th grade, and are now able to get involved in outreach to bring other kids in.

The purpose of the camps has always been to reach out to all youth, though they do focus more on girls than boys. This team is unlike other similar teams because there are girls from six different Girl Scout troops, three cities, and five schools. The result is a great mix of kids with unique skill sets to bring to the group.

One 18 year old has stated that she intends to continue focusing on STEM subjects – she’s majoring in bio engineering. Why? Because she got involved with STEM when she was young, she says. It helped her with problem solving and helped her get excited about robotics and other STEM based skills. She wants to help other girls get involved and encourage them to follow their interest.

While it’s great to see so many girls involved, it’s important to keep in mind that in the Belleville weeklong camp that was held in July, only four of the 25 kids in attendance were girls. The program wants girls to know that it’s okay to be interested in robotics and other STEM platforms and at CodeREV Kids we want to encourage that as well. That’s why we offer STEM classes for a variety of ages – including coding for kids as young as six years old.