November 4, 2015
Hour of Code–the Series
Coding–that mystical geeky subject that confounds students and teachers alike. Confess, when you think of coding, you see:
…when you should see
December 7-13, Computer Science Education will host the Hour Of Code–a one hour introduction to coding, programming, and why students should love it. It’s designed to demystify “code” and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, and an innovator.
They provide a variety of self-guided tutorials that say “anybody can do this on a browser, tablet, or smartphone”. They even have unplugged tutorials for classrooms without computers. No experience needed.
Coding is a great tie-in to Common Core math Standards. Any time I can show students how to complete math skills without doing math, it’s a plus (because it surprises them. They don’t expect a discussion on problem solving or Minecraft to help them with math).
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share eight ideas that will energize your Hour of Code. They include (if the link doesn’t work, it’s because the article hasn’t posted yet):
- Hour of Code: Why Not?
- Hour of Code Suggestions by Grade Level
- Program with Alt Codes
- Programming Shortkeys
- Scratch Jr: Website Review
- Hour of Code: Minecraft
- Programming a Macro in five minutes
- Build a Website
Here are Code.org’s suggestions on teaching Hour of Code in your classroom. If you have a favorite tool, they likely will guide you in using it for this amazing week. Check out this list:
More Hour of Code resources
3D Tin website review
Hour of Code: Primo–Programming
20 K-8 General Programming Websites
K-8 Lesson bundle of coding projects
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, CSG Master Teacher, webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
