Another programming idea...

For those who are in search of an even easier programming language with which we can give middle schoolers experience writing programs (easier than Processing which appeared here on Dec. 1), I recommend Scratch.

This is also open source (that is free to install and use), and it was developed at MIT from the work of Seymour Papert and LOGO (which started even before Papert in the 1960's!). Anyways, users create programs by dragging blocks that look like Lego's. Programs are run by clicking a green flag (at least this is the usual starting method).

I have colleagues how have used both Scratch and Processing in both formal classes with middle schoolers and as exploratory classes (including after-school clubs).

Visit the Scratch web site.