HOUR OF CODE is a global event intended to expose students all over the world to coding. Sponsors of this event are successful businesses, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions. Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the list goes on are just a few examples.
- 2017 – Lewis and Clark Elementary
Students were introduced to coding in grades K-5 using a program called Kodables during the Hour of Code event in early December. Students were fascinated and left the lab wanting more. They were provided access codes should they want to finish their remaining lessons during free time or at home.
Feedback was wonderful. Teachers asked for more as students completed the free activities that were assigned in Kodables. With that, I shared code.org for Minecraft, Star Wars, Frozen, Flappy, and more. For interested 5th grade classes, I introduced Google Logo. They went wild for this and can’t wait for the second half. Wait till they see where I take them next.
With student interest being as favorably as it was, I was inspired to write a project with DonorsChoose called “C is for Coding with Cue“. My goal (if funded) is to put a Wonder Cue Robot in their hands and have them program it. I want coding to come to life for these students.
- 2015 – Bowling Green Elementary
The Hour of Code is a global event that occurs in December. BGES participated in the Hour of Code in December 2015 with 4th and 5th grade students. With a high level of interest I continued coding with 5th graders and applied for a grant through DonorsChoose.org for 5 Sphero Robots. We got the funding almost immediately and 25-30 students spent 6 weeks working in Tickle and Lightning Lab on various programming challenges, one being a chariot race where students not only wrote a program that allowed them to tilt the iPad for movement and direction but also designed and created a chariot out of recyclable materials.
We are into robots at BGES since the global event kicked off in December 2015 for the Hour of Code. Students were very interested in programming games on the Code.org site that I decided to apply for a grant in order to put something tangible in their hands. We have been fortunate to receive 5 Sphero SPRK robots
that our 5th graders are experiencing. Next year, a 2nd grade class will be exposed to the Bee-Bots robots and if all goes well 3rd and 4th grade classes may meet the Ozobots in 2016-17.
- Coding for Kids 1 – What is Computer Coding
- Coding for Kids 2 – How Computer Programs Work
- Coding for Kids 3 –
Think Like a Computer