What is Coding?

Coding is the process of writing instructions for a computer to follow. Computers need to be given specific instructions for them to understand. Depending on what instructions you write and how you write it you can create all sorts of cool things like apps, video games, and much more!

This YouTube explains what coding is and why it’s important in a simplified way for kids!

What is the Hour of Code?

The Hour of Code is a free introduction to computer science through fun activities and videos for learners of all skill levels. Teachers, you can learn how to host an Hour of Code on the Hour of Code website. The website goes through all the steps you need to know so you can effectively teach your students code!  

Hour of Code How-to Guide 

Resources to Start Coding With Your Class:

Hour of Code Website: on the Hour of Code website they have over 700 results of fun activities for all age ranges to teach students code. As an educator, you can request free coding lesson plans through their website. Free Curriculum (hatchxr.com)

I decided to try out the coding game ‘Create a 3D T-Rex Game’. https://hourofcode.com/hatchxrtrex I really liked this game because it was split up into levels and for each level you were shown a tutorial. As you went up in levels the game got gradually harder. After you completed the level you got XP and were shown the java script to learn what the real code looks like. 

Scratch: is a free website that provides many different coding resources. Children can learn coding by creating digital stories, games, and animations. Scratch promotes thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creative expression. 

Here is more information on Scratch for educators: Scratch – Educators (mit.edu)

On the scratch website I played the game ‘Sunny’s Sunflower Garden’ it was a very adorable game. The creator did all the artwork themselves and the majority of the sound effects. I found this game to be super easy to play and the instructions were very clear. The goal of the game was to plant sunflower seeds, help them grow, and then sell the flowers to make money. 

Rodo Codo: is a free coding game for kids aged 4-11. The game itself is very easy to use and before each level, you get a video tutorial. As you progress in the game you get gold stars after you complete each level. On the website, they have coding vocabulary freebies and coding concepts mini-course handouts. 

Free Coding Game for Kids – Rodocodo

Where Does Code Fit in the BC Curriculum?

In the BC Curriculum under Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (grade 3), many big ideas and curricular competencies can be connected to teaching code to students. 

Big Ideas:

Skills can be developed through play – As students play code games they are learning the basics of how coding works and are having fun while learning. 

Technologies are tools that extend human capabilities – We are living in an active technology era. All the technology we use comes from code. Teaching kids how to code is a tool that will further their opportunities both in and outside of school. Code helps students realize the capabilities they have to create individualized ideas. 

Curricular Competency:

Applied Design 

Ideating – students get to generate creative ideas through the use of code. Code gives students opportunities to design and pursue their own ideas. As an educator, you can make code a collaborative experience by pairing students together during technology time. Having students work on code together gets students to expand on others’ ideas. 

Making – Students can make a product (app, game) using the known procedure of code. Students can also make active mistakes while learning code and are able to make changes to solve problems effectively. 

Sharing – After students create a product they can decide how and whom they choose to share their product with. While sharing their product the student is able to demonstrate how it works and the steps they took to get to the end product.

Applied skills

Students are able to use technology (coding games and websites) in a safe manner in both physical and digital environments.

Students develop their coding skills through play and collaborative work.

Applied Technologies

Through learning the basics of coding students can extend their capabilities by furthering their learning by learning more advanced coding processes.

References: What is coding for kids? – Teach Your Kids Code