Computers and Technology

My name is Bruce Cichowlas.  I am the technology teacher at The Brighton School and this year I am featuring a technology program for second grade and higher focused around "Scratch", an innovative computer technology from the MIT Media Lab's Lifelong Kindergarten Project and one of the winners of this year's MacArthur Foundation Awards.  The "Scratch" story is an amazing one and I invite you to view it at http://scratch.mit.edu .  The technology is free and intended for ages eight to eighteen, but people of all ages all around the globe enjoy it in many ways.  I hope that you will try it on your own Windows PC or Mac.

Since "Scratch" includes art and music on the computer as well as introductory programming and robotics, we will touch on many areas and your child will have many excellent opportunities to exercise their creativity.  Since I am a member of a Scratch international teaching collaborative, we often share our projects with children from other countries as well as making them viewable and editable at home by students and their families.

My own background includes extensive experience in the software industry, particularly in computer music and smartphones.  I have also been a music teacher, an adult education instructor and have published software for classroom use, autistic children and many other areas.

Student Scratch Projects

Here are links to galleries of student projects for the 2010-2011 year.  Where the projects refer to "Scratch Cards", we are using Amitai Gat's Scratch Cards, which are also free for your own use.  Scratch Cards (PDF)  Amitai Gat's site

Grades 2-3 Scratch Cards Projects Gallery

Grades 4-5 Scratch Cards Projects Gallery

Animate Your Initials Projects Gallery

Other Student Projects Gallery