Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor compensated in any other way.
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Have a computer lover in the house that wants to learn about coding?
The Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook, published by Workman Publishing could make a great resource.
Aimed at middle schoolers, but good for a wider variety of readers, this eye-catching resource covers:
- Computing Systems
- Data and Analysis
- Software Engineering
- Algorithms and Programming
- Universal Programming Principles
- Programming with Scratch
- Programming in Python
- Web Development
My oldest son was excited by the opportunity to review the resource, so I am turning this review over to him.
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When Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook arrived, I noticed right away that the cover design is perfect for the book - with a purple and black color scheme and notebook feel. I also noticed that the text is perfect. It looks like someone is actually writing with uniform handwriting. Plus, the sketches bring out a notebooky feel. Overall, the book has a pleasing aesthetic.
Of course, the most important part of any teaching resource is not the aesthetic, but, rather, how well it communicates information to the student. This book does that well.
In nearly 40 chapters over eight units, there are:
- simply written notes
- vocabulary words highlighted in yellow
- definitions set aside in green boxes
- important people, places, dates, and things written in blue
- and main ideas underlined.
The tone of the writing is light-hearted, informative, and easy to grasp.
The notebook also includes many sketches, quizzes, and examples of programming you can work along with. These help make the information stick.
The notebook also includes many sketches, quizzes, and examples of programming you can work along with. These help make the information stick.
It then teaches you the basics of programming using Scratch, Python, HTML, and CSS. It also teaches the basics of web development.
I have used Scratch before and dabbled in some other things, so some of the material was redundant for me, but I still learned new things. I like the book and will continue working my way through it.
Enough about me and my experience, though. Can YOU use it? I would suggest, "yes" if you are one of these three types of people:
(1) Someone taking a computer science and coding class who is struggling and needs an appealing and simple to understand supplement.
(2) Someone who wants to learn computer science and programming using a book.
(3) Those who know things about this topic, but like easy reference materials to look back upon.
The book is geared for middle schoolers, but I believe a younger audience with reading skills and a decent attention span could use it as well.
I also think high school students and adults with an interest in learning about computer science and programming could benefit from it.
The Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook serves its purpose well as an introduction to the topic. It also is, truly "fat" at 566 pages, yet its small size makes it easy to handle.
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As you can see, my 14-year-old appreciated the design and content of The Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook. For me, that makes the book a win.
If you have a relative novice late elementary schooler on up, I would recommend the book! It is written by Grant Smith, a computer science education expert, vette by Dawn Dupriest, an award-winning computer-science teacher, illistrated by Chris Pearce, and edited by the same folks that brought the #1 educational seller Brain Quest to homeschools, schools, and families. So, Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook has a great team behind it!
If you have a relative novice late elementary schooler on up, I would recommend the book! It is written by Grant Smith, a computer science education expert, vette by Dawn Dupriest, an award-winning computer-science teacher, illistrated by Chris Pearce, and edited by the same folks that brought the #1 educational seller Brain Quest to homeschools, schools, and families. So, Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook has a great team behind it!
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Twenty-five Homeschool Review Crew families tried this resource out. Click though for links to all the reviews.
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