Hour of Code Resources

This past week during our Hour of Code activities we saw a flurry of young coders diligently working to solve coding challenges. The students were engaged and focussed. They showed persistence, drive, and importantly, joy in what they were doing! 

The value of learning how to code extends well beyond just using a computer. Coding, more formally referred to as programming, teaches students logical reasoning, problem-solving and creative thinking. Some suggest that coding helps students to build their confidence to find alternative solutions to complex problems and to consider different perspectives. When students code, they engage in the four cornerstones of computational thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms. Developing these skills benefits students in all academic areas – from language acquisition to math, and spills over to executive functioning. 

In the new year, we hope to be able to find more opportunities for our students to engage in coding activities. You can also support your child(ren)’s interest in programming. Here are a few of the Hour of Code activities you might allow your young programmers to continue using: 

PreK to 1st

Kodables (play online or on an iPad)

2nd

Tynker, Dragon Blast (play online or on an iPad)

3rd-4th

Hour of Code MineCraft and Grinch Who Stole Christmas

5th-6th

Hour of Code: MineCraft; Grinch Who Stole Christmas; Dance Party; VidCode Animoji; CodeCombat Ozaria

Code.org, which sponsors the annual, worldwide Hour of Code events, has many other coding activities your child(ren) can engage in. Many of their age-appropriate coding games are free!