A Stable Beginning: Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook ~ a TOS review

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook ~ a TOS review

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 was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

My 13 year old daughter, Montana has recently become interested in computer science. This subject is not something I am fully versed in so we were both thrilled when we found out we were going to receive the Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook from Workman Publishing.

The Big Fat Notebooks are a favorite here at A Stable Beginning so I was glad to add this one to our set so my children can learn more about computer science. Back in the day when I was in school I remember having to take a typing class. I went at night, I can’t remember why, but I already new how to type and may have skipped class once in a while to hang out in the parking lot with my now hubby…but I digress. Now days computers are a very important part of our daily lives and I am glad my children have the chance to learn all about them.

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook was written by Grant Smith, an expert in the field of computer science. Most everything has become digitalized from calendars to the way we communicate through email. To keep up in this digital world even the youngest students need to know how to operate a computer {many already do}. This book focuses on the middle school student and gives them the basic foundation in computer science. Students will learn the fundamentals needed to understand the how and why behind computer science and programs like HTML, Scratch, and Python through the use of:

key concepts ~ diagrams ~ mnemonic devices ~ definitions ~ doodles

The book contains eight units to dive into. They include:

Unit 1 ~ Computing Systems

Unit 2 ~ Data and Anaysis

Unit 3 ~ Software Engineering

Unit 4 ~ Algorithms and Programming

Unit 5 ~ Universal Programming Principles

Unit 6 ~ Programming with Scratch

Unit 7 ~ Programming with Python

Unit 8 ~ Web Development

Within the eight units of study your student will learn a multitude of topics including binary code, Loops, Boolean expressions, cybersecurity and more!

When our book arrived on a Friday afternoon my oldest, Marie, who is actually a software engineer with a degree in graphic design, took the book and read through it for several hours. In fact, when Sunday came along and I was planning out Montana’s schedule for the upcoming school week I could not find the book. Low and behold, Marie had it in her bedroom all weekend! She likes how easy it is to read and understand the concepts.

Montana loves it too! She worked in the book three days a week and as a fellow doodler, she loves the doodles that go along with the ideas presented. Montana worked from the beginning of the book through each section. Like our other Big Fat Notebooks, I did not have Montana write directly inside the book because I have younger children behind her who can utilize it when they are older. McKenzie, my 5th grader has already expressed interest in working through this book as well.

I personally love the format of this book! The illustrations included are not overwhelming and fit the theme of the book and topic. I also like that the book is set up like a real notebook page complete with color-coded notes for easy understanding. The text is easy to read and understand as well and all the unfamiliar vocabulary words are highlighted and defined. This Big Fat Notebook gives my daughter and I just what she was looking for into learning computer science.

But don’t just take my word for it, check out what 24 of my CrewMates thought of this Big Fat Notebook and see what they have to say. I know I am glad to have this on our bookshelf!