Category: 21st Century Skills

Hour Of Code 2021

,

It’s December and that means it is time for the Hour Of Code! December 6, 2021 marks the start of Computer Science Education Week Below are links to coding activities for various grade levels:

What is the Hour Of Code?

The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify coding, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has evolved into a yearly celebration in schools across the world where students spend time exploring computer science and taking a turn at writing code of their own.

Google

Google has updated their Santa Tracker site with new games and activities. For an educator’s view of the activities, visit Google’s For Educators – Learning with Santa Tracker page.

Google’s Santa Tracker page features activities that are great for younger students just learning to read:

Once on the Santa Tracker page click the big red “Play” button for a random activity or click on the red & white 3 lines icon in the top left of the screen to see all of the activities.

Code.org

Code.org features amazing coding activities for older students as many of them require students to read and follow directions.

A Code.org favorite, Code Your Own Dance Party! Everyone should check it out:

Code Your Own Dance Party!

Minecraft: Hero’s Journey – Minecraft came back in 2017 back for the Hour of Code with a brand new activity! Journey through Minecraft with code.

Minecraft Adventurer – Use code to take Alex or Steve on an adventure.

Minecraft Designer – Program animals and other Minecraft creatures in your own version of Minecraft:

Below is a list of activities from previous year’s Hour Of Code events from the Code.org website:

Tynker

Tynker features some good activities for younger students but they have unfortunately moved to a paid model. The activities below will only allow you to access first few levels for free but they are worth checking out.

Kindergarten

candy-quest-1Candy Quest – Beginner

1st Grade

puppy-2Puppy Adventure – Beginner

2nd Grade

dragon-dash-1Dragon Dash – Intermediate

3rd Grade

hot-wheels-obstacle-courseHot Wheels – Beginner

4th Grade

code-commander-1Code Commander – Intermediate

5th Grade

code-monsters-1Code Monsters – Intermediate

Welcome Back!

, , , ,

September is upon once again and we will return to school in a new way with new tools and methods at the ready. Whatever you call it Remote, Distance or Virtual Learning is now our new standard of instruction, at least for the time being. In order to make this a better experience for students and teachers Google has listened to some our our frustrations during the past winter and spring. They are adding new features to Google Meet that should improve our Google Classroom experience.

Google Meet

 

As we gear up for a remote opening of schools in our district (Asbury Park, NJ) I am looking forward to a few of the new features Google will be rolling out to Google Meet shortly. These tools include:

  • Breakout rooms: Provides the ability to split your classes into smaller groups and rejoin the class when you are done. 
  • Hand raising: Students will be able to virtually raise their hand rather than call out into the mic.
  • Attendance: Teachers will be able to see who attended their Meet.

There are other features coming to Google Meet as well but these three new additions will have the biggest impact for classroom teachers. I don’t know how they will work or when they will be available as Google only says they are coming soon. If Google was paying attention to the features in Zoom these new tools should mimic the experience there.

We will just need to have some patience and see what Google gives us.

Hour Of Code 2018

, , ,

It’s December and that means it is time for the Hour Of Code! December 3rd marks the start of Computer Science Education Week Below are links to coding activities for various grade levels:

What is the Hour Of Code?
The [glossary]Hour of Code[/glossary] started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “[glossary]code[/glossary]”, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. Once you have finished your hour why not go beyond the Hour Of Code

Code.org

This year Code.org is hosting a Code Your Own Dance Party! Everyone should check it out:

Code Your Own Dance Party!

Below is a list of activities from previous year’s [glossary]Hour Of Code[/glossary] events from the Code.org website:

Google

Hey Teachers! This year Google has updated their Santa Tracker site with new games and activities. For an educator’s view of the activities, visit Google’s For Educators – Learning with Santa Tracker page. Below are a list of activities from the Santa Tracker page (Events start to appear on December 1st) for your students to try out:

  • Code a Snowflake – Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like Rudolph on the beach. Create your own holiday card by programming your own snowflake, selecting one of many backgrounds, and share with your friends.
  • Code Lab – Use coding fundamentals to navigate the elf through the forest to find dropped presents.
  • Code Boogie – The elves are back to coding practice, while mixing in their dancing skills. Use [glossary]code[/glossary] to choreograph the elves’ dances – but watch out, as you get better, the dances get harder!
  • The Santa Tracker Code Lab – Learn to program by helping the elf get to the presents. This Code Lab is perfect for early learners as no reading is needed. All lessons are taught through pictures and animation!

Tynker

Kindergarten

candy-quest-1Candy Quest – Beginner

1st Grade

puppy-2Puppy Adventure – Beginner

2nd Grade

dragon-dash-1Dragon Dash – Intermediate

3rd Grade

hot-wheels-obstacle-courseHot Wheels – Beginner

4th Grade

code-commander-1Code Commander – Intermediate

5th Grade

code-monsters-1Code Monsters – Intermediate