s/o R. Rucszyk talk - best python intro

[dauphin]

So when I mentioned how RR had reiterated the importance of programming (and since she was on Khan Academy anyway due to needing a JA break (or break from me)), she dug back into scratch. I have trouble letting her loose there, though, because it seems like so much of her time is spent just playing others' games.... I know that's partly my issue... because there's something she can learn from it, but perhaps it would be better if it weren't an integrity test. Plus, RR had said Python and other verbal languages would be better than the graphical UIs of Scratch and others. 

 

So, I'd love for DD to be able to start some kind of Python intro - a "course" would be preferable because I think it would help reduce the rabbit trails into watching/playing others games instead of working on her own creations that comes with a more open-ended context. But not necessarily a full-semester course, I don't think she has the attention span for that (yet, although I think she could - I think her nature could be VERY well suited to programming, especially the problem-solving attack capacity (but it has to be when she WANTS to....). 

 

It needs to be FUN. And have some degree of a tangible reward (e.g., something she can show off for her family) fairly early in the process. And a reasonably early opportunity for success. The challenge can come later once she's hooked in, KWIM? 

 

 

[raptor_dad]

For elementary kids I would recommend "Python for Kids", http://www.amazon.com/Python-Kids-Playful-Introduction-Programming/dp/1593274076

 

For older kids I would recommend  the free "Thinking Like a Computer Scientist - Python Edition" book... either as a book http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english3e/

or as an interactive text, http://interactivepython.org/courselib/static/thinkcspy/index.html

[Penguin]

I like CS Circles

 

http://cscircles.cemc.uwaterloo.ca

[SilverMoon]

My DS works on Python at Code Academy. If that JA means Jousting Armadillos prealg, they'd probably do fine with Code Academy. (Mine is in AoPS prealg) I haven't a clue if that's the best introduction or not, but it's working. :)

[scrapbabe]

This is what we're doing this summer. It starts on Monday. http://www.fundafunda.com/comp_courses

[dauphin]

My DS works on Python at Code Academy. If that JA means Jousting Armadillos prealg, they'd probably do fine with Code Academy. (Mine is in AoPS prealg) I haven't a clue if that's the best introduction or not, but it's working. :)

Yes, it does! Cool!