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Classes

Fundamentals of Computer Science

October 17, 2025

Agenda

1. AI for Oceans

2. Journal

October 14, 2025

Agenda

Journal Entry - Prompt Engineering with Canva AI

AI tools like Canva AI can help people design lessons, games, and creative projects — but only if they are given clear and detailed instructions. This skill is called prompt engineering.

According to CompTIA’s 2025 Workforce and Learning Trends report, AI skills are now a top workforce priority. And recent industry research shows that prompt engineers today can earn between $63,000 and over $270,000 annually, depending on experience and role.  That means being good at writing prompts isn’t just creative — it can be financially worthwhile and useful in many tech-related jobs.

Today, you’ll act like a teacher or professional and create a Canva AI prompt that teaches something academic and includes interactive elements. You can check out my example here.

Part 1: Your Prompt

Choose a topic from any subject (science, math, history, English, or computer science).

Examples:

Write a detailed Canva AI prompt that tells it exactly what to make.

Include:

Generate your design in Canva AI, publish your site, and share the link in your journal.

Part 2: Your Reflection

In 5–7 sentences, explain:

October 7, 2025 - October 9, 2025

Agenda

1. Hour of Code

October 6, 2025

Agenda

Journal Entry

If you were in charge of your school, what would your technology and AI policy be? Think about things like cell phones, Chromebooks, AI tools (like ChatGPT), and online games. Should games be blocked, or should certain ones (like math or learning games) be allowed? In 5–7 sentences, explain your rules and why you think they would make school better.

October 3, 2025

Agenda

1. Robot Islands

2. Journal

3. Missing Work

I will be out next week, so the last day to submit missing work will be Friday, October 3, 2025. If you complete any missing work, you must email me at dwhitby@judsonisd.org to let me know. If you do not email me, I will not know you’ve made up work and your make-up work will not be graded. Below is a list of assignments that should be completed:

Journals

Code.org

To access Code.org assignments, you must log-in using your Clever account. Please do the following:

Once you’re logged-in, you can click the direct link to your missing assignment:

October 2, 2025

Agenda

1. Robot Islands

2. Journal

3. Missing Work

I will be out next week, so the last day to submit missing work will be Friday, October 3, 2025. If you complete any missing work, you must email me at dwhitby@judsonisd.org to let me know. If you do not email me, I will not know you’ve made up work and your make-up work will not be graded. Below is a list of assignments that should be completed:

Journals

Code.org

To access Code.org assignments, you must log-in using your Clever account. Please do the following:

Once you’re logged-in, you can click the direct link to your missing assignment:

October 1, 2025

Agenda

1. Code your own sports game

2. Journal

3. Missing Work

I will be out next week, so the last day to submit missing work will be Friday, October 3, 2025. If you complete any missing work, you must email me at dwhitby@judsonisd.org to let me know. If you do not email me, I will not know you’ve made up work and your make-up work will not be graded. Below is a list of assignments that should be completed:

Journals

Code.org

To access Code.org assignments, you must log-in using your Clever account. Please do the following:

Once you’re logged-in, you can click the direct link to your missing assignment:

September 30, 2025

Agenda

1. Journal Entry

Students often say the phrase “6, 7” during the day, but its meaning is unclear. Your challenge is to explain this phrase in your own words. Write exactly 67 words, spread across six or seven sentences. Consider how students use it in class or in the halls. Think about the mood or tone when it’s spoken. Be creative, but also give your best explanation of why people keep repeating it.

2. Missing Work

I will be out next week, so the last day to submit missing work will be Friday, October 3, 2025. If you complete any missing work, you must email me at dwhitby@judsonisd.org to let me know. If you do not email me, I will not know you’ve made up work and your make-up work will not be graded. Below is a list of assignments that should be completed:

Journals

Code.org

To access Code.org assignments, you must log-in using your Clever account. Please do the following:

Once you’re logged-in, you can click the direct link to your missing assignment:

September 26, 2025

Agenda

1. Minecraft: Voyage Aquatic

2. Journal

September 25, 2025

Agenda

1. Minecraft: Hero’s Journey

2. Journal

September 23, 2025

Agenda

1. Minecraft Designer

2. Journal

September 22, 2025

Agenda

IKEA is experimenting with a virtual store inside Roblox, where people can actually earn $16.10 per hour to do jobs like restocking shelves, serving food, and helping customers—just like in a real store. You can read more here: IKEA is opening a new store on Roblox… and you could be paid to work there! .

Write a journal entry (5–7 sentences) using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (C.E.R.) to respond to this question:

Do you think working in a virtual store for real money is a good idea or a bad idea for the future of jobs? Why?

You may choose to complete the Beat the AI Challenge. For this option, you can use AI tools to help write your response. To receive credit, you must clearly mark at the bottom of your journal: “This response used AI.” Your challenge is to edit and improve the AI’s draft so it sounds more like you and less like a machine.

September 18, 2025

Agenda

1. Minecraft Adventurer

2. Journal

September 16, 2025

Agenda

Journal Entry

This year, the White House launched the Presidential AI Challenge. The goal is to find creative ways for students, teachers, and communities to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve real-world problems. The prize for winning teams is $10,000 per team member. You can learn more about the challenge here: Presidential AI Challenge.

Projects should:

Prompt

For today’s journal, write 5–7 complete sentences using the C.E.R. format:

If you’re interested in actually submitting an idea for the challenge, you can fill out this form: Presidential AI Challenge - Participation.

September 15, 2025

Agenda

Journal Entry

This year, the White House launched the Presidential AI Challenge. The goal is to find creative ways for students, teachers, and communities to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve real-world problems. The prize for winning teams is $10,000 per team member. You can learn more about the challenge here: Presidential AI Challenge.

Projects should:

Prompt

For today’s journal, write 5–7 complete sentences using the C.E.R. format:

If you’re interested in actually submitting an idea for the challenge, you can fill out this form: Presidential AI Challenge - Participation.

September 10, 2025

Agenda

Option 1: Sphero Bolt

1. Blocks 6

Option 2: Python

1. Code Combat

2. A Visual Introduction to Python

Weekly Journal

September 9, 2025

Agenda

Option 1: Sphero Bolt

1. Blocks 6

Option 2: Python

1. Code Combat

2. A Visual Introduction to Python

Weekly Journal

September 8, 2025

Journal Entry

[!IMPORTANT]
Heading Reminder
At the very top of your entry, include the date as a first-level heading in this exact format:

# September 8, 2025

Write your entry here...

Prompt

Think of a career you’re interested in (e.g., nursing, filmmaking, fashion design, engineering, sports). Describe how computer science could be valuable in that profession. Use an example from the video or one from your own life to support your claim.

September 5, 2025

Agenda

Option 1: Sphero Bolt

1. Blocks 6

Option 2: Python

1. Code Combat

2. A Visual Introduction to Python

Weekly Journal

September 4, 2025

Agenda

1. Code Combat

2. A Visual Introduction to Python

3. Journal

September 3, 2025

Complete the following assignment in your GitHub Journal. First, please check the screen to find your name and make sure that all columns are marked “TRUE.” If any column reads “FALSE,” I will not be able to see your journal, and you will not receive credit for this assignment. The instructions for setting up your journal can be found at jisd.link/journal. Please let me know if you need any assistance.

Journal Entry

[!IMPORTANT]
Heading Reminder
At the very top of your entry, include the date as a first-level heading in this exact format:

# September 2, 2025

Write your entry here...

Prompt

Choose ONE of the following prompts and write a well-developed paragraph (5–7 sentences). Use C.E.R. (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning):

Option 1: The New Cell Phone Law

What are your thoughts on the new school cell phone law? How are you adjusting to it, and what challenges or benefits do you see for students and teachers?

Option 2: Vibe Coding with AI

“Vibe coding” means using AI tools (like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot) to help write or explain code instead of doing it fully on your own. What do you think are the risks and benefits of this AI-assisted approach for students learning computer science?

Option 3: Computer Science Expectations

What did you think computer science was before starting this class? Has your view changed so far? What do you hope to get from this course?

August 27, 2025

Agenda

1. Computer Science Usernames Form

2. Github Journal Setup