THE BOOK
IF I WERE A WIZARD
Introducing students to computational thinking and coding concepts by making connections with everyday problems.
While her fellow classmates are dreaming of becoming football players, architects, and doctors, Hazel dreams of becoming a wizard and helping her family and friends. ‘If I Were A Wizard’ introduces coding concepts to its readers through the imagination of a young mouse. From ‘Repeats and Loops” to ‘Algorithms’, If I was a Wizard prompts discussion and helps build conceptual understanding .
THE SONG
'If I....."is the title track from the book "If I Were A Wizard" A haunting song performed by Sunshine Coast local
Bri Green.
The APP
WIZARD AR
Transform your library, classroom or even your playground into a virtual playground where you can meet Hazel and explore her world.
WHY LEARN CODING CONCEPTS?
If I Were A Wizard helps students make connections between examples in the book and their own lives. We know this comprehension strategy is effective so why not employ it to learning coding concepts. Students can make connections to other books, their own lives and the broader world.
By identifying similar concepts in the world, students gain a greater insight when they are actually coding. If a students knows the importance of 'sequence and order', the students will be more likely to find errors in code and fix them.
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When Hazel creates 10 perfect waves for Milo to ride, we are introduced to 'Repeats'. Students that can see repeating patterns in the world will have a greater chance of identifying where 'Repeats' can make the code more efficient. When students are first introduced to programs such as Scratch they are more likely to NOT use repeats. This causes long and problematic sequences of code, where students find it difficult to find errors and bugs.
CONCEPTS
How can you use 'If I Were A Wizard' to build conceptual understanding.
POSTERS
FREE posters to download for your classroom. Including coding concepts and dispositions.
DISPOSITIONS
The dispositions and habits our students need to become coding wizards.