Spreadsheet, Internet & Programming age 12 & up:
Take the mystery out of computers.
Imagine your kids
building Web sites.
Imagine their sense of competence.
They can do it!
Not only that, but with our guide
kids can learn to program their own games!
Get your free Internet scavenger hunt here.
From: Phyllis Wheeler, the Computer Lady from Motherboard Books
Dear Friends,
There's plenty of information out there on how to build a Web site and how to program. But none of it is aimed just at teaching real skills to youngsters.
Kids now have the opportunity to learn computers from the inside out, using this homeschool computer science curriculum.
I am a veteran homeschooling mom who has helped many kids build a solid foundation of computer knowledge. I can help yours too.
Are you worried that your youngsters are falling behind?
I understand your worries that your youngsters
may have trouble catching up with kids
whose schools taught them a lot about computers.
I've been in that position myself!
It's not just what they ought to be learning. Eleven states require students to take a computer course before graduating from high school (AL, DE, MD, MI, NE, NH, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT).
Typical prep-school computer courses students can take are:
- keyboarding (in middle school)
- computer applications such as Word and Excel
- Web site design including learning HTML and MS Front Page
- programming
Your child needs to be learning
comparable skills!
The fun and zany Logo computer language has been around for a generation.
Kids in school computer labs get to use it.
Shouldn't yours?
Purchase Computer Science Pure and Simple, as a package or separately! |
So, where does your youngster get a good foundation?
- At your school if it's offered
- At home, using our computer science curriculum, Computer Science Pure and Simple.
What are the prerequisites?Computer Science Pure and Simple students (grade 5 through high school) need to prepare with some keyboarding using a separate application such as Mavis Beacon, Typing Tutor, or Captain Keyboard. They need to prepare with a little practice in how to use a word processor on their own.
In addition, an available adult must be comfortable using a word processor, saving files, searching the Internet, and using email.
Now available: computer courses
for younger children!Using Logo Adventures, you and your child aged 8 to 12 can work on MicroWorlds programming projects developed just for this age group.
Using Let's Make a Web Page, you and your child aged 8 to 12 can experiment with creating Web pages using free trial drag-and-drop software.
With Computer Science Pure and Simple, here's what students in fifth grade and up learn over two years
- more about a word processor--how to create a newsletter, for instance
- how to use and program a spreadsheet
- simple html
- simple Web site creation using free software
- programming drawings, animations, and games using the Logo language
Our curriculum provides a foundation so that they can study further to:
- Launch into Web site design and building
- Easily learn common workplace programming languages
Let's get more specific. Exactly what does Computer Science Pure and Simple offer?
Book 1, Second Edition (grades 5 and up, spiral bound, 8 1/2 x 11 inches, 145 pages including answer key) provides a comprehensive introduction to
- HTML (Web page language) using Notepad, Windows accessory software already on your computer. Create a Web page (see a video tour) and make simple Web pages using free trial software Cool Page. (See a page from the book.)
- Beginning programming using the Logo language as found in MicroWorlds software, creating drawings and animations. See a video tour: a student's drawing and animation, with code. For this you will need a MicroWorlds disk, sold with the curriculum.
- Office applications: word processor and spread sheet (something like Word and Excel must be already installed on your computer). Learn to format a newsletter and work with the spreadsheet.
See the Table of Contents!Logo is a computer language designed
to teach kids reasoning skills.
It gives kids feedback that delights them.
Purchase Computer Science Pure and Simple, as a package or separately!
The kids command a tiny robot turtle carrying a pen and a bucket. They tell it where to go on the page, giving commands like forward 50 (go forward 50 turtle steps). The turtle draws lines as commanded and dumps colors. For animations, the turtle assumes a variety of shapes.
Not only is Logo great for teaching reasoning to young kids, but it has all the bells and whistles of a robust programming language, including parallel processing. So it's a natural for teaching game programming. Skills learned on it transfer easily to other languages. In fact there are many computer professionals out there who got started by learning Logo. To find one, just ask around! My curriculum uses Logo as formulated in MicroWorlds software.
Book 2, Second Edition (grades 7 and up, spiral bound, 8 1/2 x 11 inches, 176 pages including answer key) builds on Book 1 and provides more work on
- Programming using Logo, combining what we have learned to create games. (MicroWorlds disk required) (See a page)
- A multi-page Web site, and advice about how to put it on the Internet (using a free shareware software download) See a video tour of a fourth-grader's site. See a page.
- Programming spreadsheets (spreadsheet application such as Excel already installed on your computer. See a video tour. See a page.
See the Table of Contents!
Do you worry about exposing your child
to violent computer games?
Using Computer Science Pure and Simple Book 2, your child can create his own games! Look at videos of student games:
- Hangman
- Pac-Man-style Maze
- Madlibs
- And two more I invented: City and Race
(For programming parents, here are the skills we learn: looping, incrementing, if-then statements, if-then-else, use of variables, starting with diagrams, and so on--the usual tools of programming.)
You can look at our Gallery of Greats--great student projects. To see them you will need to download special software. Be sure to come back!
How do we make these games?
Here's a line of code from a maze game:
when [colorunder = 15] [announce [sorry, you lose!]]
Do you worry about allowing your child Internet access, for fear he will stumble on something he should not see?
In Book 2 I outline some safeguards you can take:
- Install a filter such as NetNanny or SafeEyes
- Set the filter in Google to SafeSearch.
- Direct your kids to use www.surfsafely.com as a search engine.
- Limit their access to email, and keep the computer in a well-used room.
The third component of the curriculum is the MicroWorlds disk. This is provided by a Canadian company, LCSI, that worked closely with Logo's creators at MIT, and even now sells to top-quality schools around the world.There are two disks to choose from, the earlier version, MicroWorlds 2.0, and the later version, MicroWorlds EX. Personally I like the earlier one, 2.0, better because it costs considerably less, and it is beloved by purists who use it to teach programming. Here's why:
- It has a nice big screen
- It has plenty of room to write programming code, and see it all at once
- It can be used on older computers, such as Windows 95 and 98.
Computer Science Pure and Simple books contain full instructions for both MicroWorlds 2.0 and MicroWorlds EX. If you have a Macintosh or Windows Vista, you'll need EX. I sell both disks from my order page.
What about tech support?
- I have tutorials to get you started.
- Check the appendices on troubleshooting and HTML guide in the back of the book.
- Look at my FAQ on the Product Support Page.
- If all that fails, email me with your question at .
Purchase Computer Science Pure and Simple, as a package or separately!
So, how did this curriculum come about?
I told you I had been in the same position as you, worried that my kids would fall behind in computer skills. I was homeschooling and teaching in a homeschool coop.But I had something to offer in this field! I am a mechanical engineer who has taken a number of programming courses over the years. I worked as a programmer one summer in college. I decided to offer a computer course at our co-op for grades 5 and up, since I had the skills. (I am also a writer, and that helps too!)
The first thing I did was look for a computer curriculum to use. Homeschoolers these days can find curriculum on all kinds of great subjects. But there wasn't one! I would have to invent one! Since I had to go to all the trouble to figure out what to teach, I decided to record what we were doing and share it with others who might also be stuck looking for the same thing.
I found assistance through the co-op from several computer professionals. These professionals contributed to my computer class that became Computer Science Pure and Simple Book 1:
- Virginia Sparks, BS in Computer Science
- Laura Breidenbach, professional Web site developer
But where to start? I chose to start with the Logo computer language, because my daughter had worked with it in school and had loved it.
Logo programming isn't dry mathematical code. It's personalized instruction to the turtle. Kids love it.
I already had a Logo-based manuscript by Don Sleeth, a Canadian programmer, and permission to modify it.
Over the course of the year we knit all this together to teach the class, which met once a week for an hour and a quarter, with homework. I recorded what we were doing as a set of self-study lessons with answer key. In class we tested the lessons and made some modifications based on what worked and what didn't. Here's a sample chapter from Book 1.
The following year, I took the same classes forward, and we learned a lot more programming, Web site construction, and spreadsheets. That year of study became Book 2. Here's a sample chapter from Book 2 .
Later I again taught a co-op computer class--this time to kids aged 8 through 12. The result, Logo Adventures, is ready to teach reasoning, creativity, and computer savvy to your younger kids.
Are you interested in a valuable freebie?
Introduce your kids age 12 and up to researching the Internet using MotherboardBooks.com’s Internet Scavenger Hunt. Kids gather fun and weird facts about animals and geography as they crisscross the Internet using Google, after setting it to SafeSearch to screen out the bad stuff. Some typing skills are required. Value: $10
What are people saying
about Computer Science Pure and Simple?
Carissa Ruiz, reviewing Book 1 for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine in the Fall 2008 edition, page 203-4: "By far, making the games has been my sixth-trader's favorite part of the book. He could make the games all day if I let him. The instructions are so well done that rarely do we find ourselves wondering what the teacher is talking about.... "I would highly recommend this resource for any child who wants to work in the field of computers and wants to get a jump start in understanding some basic computer science. Furthermore, this is a great program for those who live in states in which a course in computer science is required for graduation." |
Susan Freeman, of Kennewick Washington, reviewing Computer Science Pure and Simple: "One area I know I can not teach my children in is computer science. I’m also aware that it is essential that children of this day and age be proficient in all levels of computer science. "About three years ago I started searching for a homeschool-friendly computer science curriculum. I definitely found it in Motherboard Books. Their vision is computer literacy in every homeschool. Phyllis Wheeler, the founder of the company and fellow homeschooler, has created a curriculum that needs very little input from parents. It is written to the student for the student. "Our daughter was very happy with Volume One’s clear step-by-step tutorial with visual computer screen shots showing her exactly what to do as well as telling her through written instruction. "(Concerning animations), our daughter enjoyed this aspect of the lessons. Her younger siblings also loved watching her make the turtle move and do ‘tricks’." See Susan's whole review here: |
| Susan Bizari, Rochester, NY: "I have homeschooled my twin daughters now for eight years and for the last two years they have done your Computer Science Pure and Simple book one and book two and we have really enjoyed it. It has also helped me to show our school district that we are trying to keep the kids up to date with doing computers. " |
Kim Kargbo, Olive Branch, MS: Read more at Soli Deo Gloria Resources |
Beth Clifford, Brodheadsville, PA: "I am very thankful that she (Phyllis Wheeler) decided to share this curriculum with the homeschooling world. " Read the full review at Window Into My World |
| MB, New Mexico: "This was crystal clear for my daughter, and she was able to complete the lesson." (in response to some emailed coaching) "Thanks so much for your help!!! We love the books. I can’t wait to use them again with my twins in a couple of years. And now we can say we love the service that you provide too!!!" |
| Kelly Stone, The Dalles, Oregon: "Your course is very easy to use. I just handed it to my son and he started in on his own. He's loving it and has asked to go through the program faster than what I had scheduled for him. I see where learning Logo (or any computer language, for that matter) gets them started with the idea of how to 'talk' to a computer. He loves that he's making animations right away." See her post on a message board. |
| See some more posts on the HomeschoolChristian.com message board. |
| Leanne Beitel, author of Keyboarding for the Christian School: "Students are offered programming and website design courses in public and private schools but rarely seen on the homeschool market. Until now. Phyllis Wheeler’s curriculum, Computer Science Pure and Simple (Books 1 and 2) give a mixture of lessons starting with word processing, animation, spreadsheets, and web design. This is a well-written curriculum. The lessons start at the beginning level and moves on to more advanced levels. Book 2 includes games, Internet exercises and web pages, along with programming. "The curriculum uses MicroWorlds; a programming language that students are able to understand easily and keeps their interest. Each book gives screenshots to help guide the student in doing the exercises and understanding the lesson. There is also an answer key for parents to check the work to keep the student on track. "I would wholeheartedly recommend Computer Science Pure and Simple (Books 1 and 2) after students learn typing skills and basic word processing from Keyboarding for the Christian School. This makes a great transition for students learning computer skills." |
| Nora Huggins, Indialantic, Florida: "My son has so enjoyed Logo Adventures. I cannot get him to stop on most days. He is eating it up with much success. I love the fact that he can do this on his own since he is 11 years old. Thanks again for making learning fun!" |
| Debbie, Wilmington, Delaware: "We are using both Computer Science Pure and Simple and Logo Adventures . Both my children love them! Thank you for the great books and all that you do." |
| Tammy Zilinski, East Dundee, Illinois: "Your course has been extremely helpful for us and I’m thankful that you have written it!!" |
| Shane Smith, age 16, Kansas: "I have been using your computer science program and I am really enjoying it. Usually I do what you tell me and then try to take it to a new level on my own. "Once again, I really appreciate your course. I have always been extremely interested in computers, so I relish the opportunity to learn programming and advance any skills I have in that area. I hope you enjoy my programs, they took a lot of work, but I think the end result is worth it." (See his work in the Gallery of Greats.) |
| Tracy Quebral, Amherst, New York: "My son truly loved your curriculum, and honestly, it is his favorite subject by far! Something tells me we'll have to upgrade our computer before too long if he keeps it up! LOL I want to THANK YOU for taking the time to write these wonderful books! "I have and will continue to recommend your wonderful program to homeschoolers, because it’s fantastic! " |
| Jeanette H.: "About a month ago I was praying for something new and exciting for my fifth grader who is homeschooling for the first time this year. I was struggling to make "school" fun so as to ease the transition from his previous school. I wanted him to feel like we have neat things "happening" here too. Seriously, in a dream I recalled my college Logo programming experiences and I woke up wondering, "Whatever happened to the Logo language? Kids would love Logo." (The only time I had ever seen it used was while student teaching in a school in England.) "...Now that we own Microworlds and your easy-to-read and follow lessons, I think I have found the answer to my prayers. It is really a blessing as my son is so quick with electronics, as most children are, but has always struggled in school. We do not own or encourage video games so it is great to hear him saying, 'Well now I can write my own, Mom!'" |
| Becky Ascough, Lecanto, Florida: "I wish Tom was as excited about math and history as he is about computer! "My 13 year-old son, Tom, started the Computer Science Pure and Simple Book 1 just last week. I'm so happy to report that he absolutely loves working with MicroWorlds, and is flying through the lessons. He is working on his own, as we don't have a co-op in our area. He doesn't mind though, since he's able to go at his own pace. Thank you for providing this wonderful computer curriculum. It's great to have a lesson that he thinks is just plain fun!" |
| Judy Jenkins, Delmar, Delaware: "Concerning Computer Science Pure and Simple, I would say that I was thrilled to find it because it seems that there is very little available which is appropriate for young learners. My son is thirteen, and once he got through the first couple of lessons, I couldn't get him to stop. He has programmed various games, including mazes, hangman, a house building game, and a Star Wars attack game. I highly recommend it." |
| Stephen Smith, age 15, working his way through Book 1: "I am a sophomore in high school, and this exciting program is my favorite subject in school!" |
| From Katie Bennett, Warooka, South Australia: "Thank you so much for the books (Computer Science Pure and Simple and Logo Adventures). I have four children whom I homeschool, and now there are arguments over who uses the computer. The books are great. Once again many thanks." |
| Deb E., St. Louis, Missouri: "(My 16-year-old son) at first thought he already knew it all. But when he got into the book, he realized that it was telling him just what he needs to know--how a computer works." |
| Anissa DeGrasse for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine: " I have to start by saying this is a dream come true for homeschooling parents who want to teach their children computer skills! ...The book is well designed and easy to use. Each lesson is very detailed and includes graphics--but not so detailed that you get lost. You will get immediate results when you follow the instructions to the letter--but if you have problems the answer key is included. I love that this book teaches you everything from animations to viruses! "We found this program was easy to follow and fun to use. I thought I was computer-literate but this book taught me a thing or two! My children loved watching their work actually WORK when they did what the book instructed. ...I would strongly recommend this curriculum to anyone wanting to learn some basic computer skills that includes adults and students! ..." |
| Cindy Prechtel, Editor, Homeschooling from the Heart: "From the very first lesson, we found this program to be well organized and easy-to-understand. ... My (12-year-old) son was able to work through the lessons with very little help from me. ... My son completed several lessons in one week. ... My son LOVED learning Logo! In fact, even if he didn't do any of the other lessons in the book, the exposure to MicroWorlds and the Logo language makes this book worth the price. ... "I can't say enough about the MicroWorlds component - if your child is even remotely interested in programming/video games, this is the best way to give them a feel for what it is like to develop their own programs. The lessons for all of the topics are presented so well that most students can work through the course independently. I eagerly look forward to reviewing future products from Motherboard Books!"(from HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com ) |
| Beverly Krueger, Eclectic Homeschool Online : "Computer Science Pure and Simple for Homeschoolers is an excellent introduction to three of the most common ways that people interact with computers: office skills, computer programming, and website design... "Computer Science Pure and Simple for Homeschoolers gets kids working immediately taking what they read and applying it. The instructional detail is just right, not over explaining and thereby confusing, nor skipping steps that may be intuitive to more experienced computer users.” Eclectic Homeschool Online is a not- for-profit online magazine. |
Elliot Robinson, age 14, a reviewer at www.HomeschoolChristian.com: "This (Book 1) is a good introductory course for those with little hands on computer experience." Concerning Book 2, he says, "This book, like the first, is first rate for beginning programmers. Its engaging style makes it very fun to work with." |
| Doreen Wood, Auburn, California: "Thanks so much for your help in educating our kids. You certainly do use the gifts you've been given for the betterment of so many." |
| Theresa M. Schultz-Jones writing in Practical Homeschooling Magazine Issue Number 61 Fall/Winter 2004. "...A decent introduction to how to use some of the applications on your computer, what programming is and how to design a web page, making it worthy of your consideration. ... The choice of MicroWorlds Logo programming is a good one. These sections will guide you through the basic steps of starting to program and give you a good basis for understanding what programming is."-- |
| Lisa Barthuly & Family writing for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Web site: Computer Science Pure and Simple Book 2 is obviously an extension of the course in Book 1, but delves deeper and focuses in more on the fun of game programming. Book 2 is for more intermediate or a bit more advanced students, Motherboard recommends 7th grade age and up, and is the same in its nice spiral-bound, soft cover, but is 175 pages containing 31 lessons with answers. Book 2 teaches creating a website and learning how to put it up on the web! It also gives instruction on programming calculations into an Excel spreadsheet, as well as creating your own more complex games, and more! Computer Science Pure and Simple books use MicroWorlds software, and children can use this program independently or along side their parents! The instruction is very simple to understand, they instruct step by step, make learning computer language seem a lot less intimidating and therefore makes it enjoyable to learn for any age! I would highly recommend Computer Science Pure and Simple, as it gives our children and us a very good foundation in computer basics and beyond! |
30-day Money-Back
Guarantee!
You may return the books and disk for up to 30 days for a full refund if you are
dissatisfied. -- (Email before 30 days are up for your authorization.) |
Computer Science Pure and Simple Curriculum
consists
of two spiral-bound
soft-cover, 8 1/2 x 11 books and a disk.
   |
The price for the set is $122.97
(Purchase of the two books with
MicroWorlds EX costs $39 more.)
Purchase Computer Science Pure and Simple, as a package or separately! |
God bless you!
Sincerely,
Tell a friend!P.S. It's never to late to get started on understanding what makes your computer work!
P.P.S. Aren't you curious how it works?
P.P.P.S. Find out and have some fun with your youngster, telling turtles what to do--they obey your every command!
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