Computer Programming for Kids!

This year even though I didn’t have to report on Computer Science for my grade 2’s, I felt that the one computer period I did have with them a week needed to be educational. At first, I used Reflex Math to compliment their Math program, but they got bored with it about mid-way through the year, and I needed to spice things up a bit.

Enter - Code.org -

This website provides teachers with both digital and hard-copy lessons to introduce kids to computer programming. No written coding is required on their part, instead it is a simple drag and drop system. However, the critical thinking and problem solving skills acquired are all the same! They have also interwoven kid-friendly components like characters and levels using popular media (Flappy Bird, Frozen, Plants vs. Zombies, etc.) so the kids felt like they were playing a game! 

The website also provides teachers with progress reports to help identify where students are struggling or excelling. This website is absolutely fantastic, the kids were engaged and they begged to play it when they finished their work early in other classes. I was able to use this at both grade levels (grade 2 and grade 5) as they have a wide range of ability levels to begin with.


Some other sites to check out to help kids learn coding are:

1. Tynker
2. Scratch
3. Udemy
4. Codeacademy
5. Code Kingdoms

Even though most of these sites offer the "Hour of Code" option, Code.org seems to be the only one that is completely free right now. If you know of any other sites to help kids learn programming please share in the comments below :)