Coding is a part of our BC Curriculum! Read this article to learn more:
B.C. adds computer-coding to curriculum as it emphasizes tech skills
Scroll down to find some sites to help you teach code and some links to unplugged activities to try in your classroom.
This year we have quite a few classes in our district from Kindergarten to Grade 12 writing code. Check out the Hour of Code as a perfect way to get started:
http://hourofcode.com/ca
There are also full lessons in writing code here for all age levels that you can use all year.
Click here to look at the courses.
Here are some instructions to help you register your class for the courses at Code.org:
How to Sign Your Class up for Codeorg.docx
Here is another great site for classes just starting out with coding-you should know how to read to use this site but Read & Write works with it:
- MadewithCode
Here is a great site created by the Toronto School District to help integrate coding:
Coding in the Elementary Grades
K-3 Coding Resources - This is a fabulous set of resources put together by Karen Lirenman, a fantastic Surrey teacher.
If you are interested in working with code with your class, there are many other programs and websites to help you:
Code BC-this site is a wealth of coding resources which are added by BC teachers. You can search for resources by grade and subject too.
–Scratch – This program is on our school computers and is free to download at home. It is also available online (you will need parental consent to use the online version).
-Scratch Junior - With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.
-At Code Club Canada you can find activities and lessons for coding with your class and help to start a coding club
–Tynker is related to the Hour of Code and has free lesson plans for grades 1-8.
-Khan academy Hour of Code. Here you can choose to learn drawings, html webpages or databases.
Some IPad apps to use to help students learn code:
Swift Playground is a fun and easy to follow app that enables you to master the basics of Swift (only available for ipads).
An excellent introduction to coding for younger children-this app is free!
Cargo-Bot This is an excellent coding app for intermediate students. Students use code to move blocks and take part in some serious problem solving! It is free and a little bit addicting!
Here are some unplugged activities to do in your classroom:
Code.org Unplugged Activities - Here you can find links to all of the unplugged lessons at Code.org
CS Unplugged - There are lots of great activites and lessons here, plus a great free book of lesson plans that you can download.
5 Super-Cool Offline Coding Activities - There are some great ideas here!
If you would like some support while you try this with your class, please contact me (kara.dawson@sd71.bc.ca ). I would love to come help you!
