In-Person Hour Of Code Activities to Try
Here are some Hour of Code Activities to try in your classroom while in person. There are so many options to choose from! I'll share the ones that have been the most successful in my K-5 STEM classes. These are all low-prep, and highly engaging to help expose students to the world of coding.
This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.
Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.
Click here for the FREE printable PDF of this resource.
Hour of Code Activities | Watch the recording down below:
Here are the key takeaways from this episode:
Hour of Code Activities | Resource Prep
Before getting into the lesson planning, these are questions that I ask year after year to ensure that I'm prepared for the Hour of Code unit.
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- Check out hourofcode.com for ways to promote Computer Science at your school and promote to families
- Prep necessary vocabulary that will aid student instruction. I created Coding Vocabulary that you just need to print-and-go!
- Organize supplies so they are easy for students to access and clean up when finished. I like to use clear plastic containers to leave in the center of each table with the necessary supplies for the lesson. Especially as a specials teacher, this helps tremendously so I am not running around in between classes gathering supplies!
- How you will share computer coding links with students? {Google Classroom, Seesaw, Schoology…}
- Do you need to set aside instruction instruction time for students to set up any coding accounts? {Example: Scratch}
- Will kids be using one device for paired programming or each student code on their own device?
- Is a station rotation model or whole group going to work best for your class?
You can teach these lessons in a way that works best for your kids, your classroom and the resources you have available. Each resource below is clickable or type in corresponding link.
Click here for the FREE printable PDF of this resource.
Hour of Code Activities | Kindergarten
Day 1 & 2: Teaching the Difference Between Software & Hardware
- Intro Video- Parts of a Computer by Brainpop Jr.
- Student Practice- How to Make a Paper Tablet
Day 3: Device Coding
- Intro Videos: How Does a Computer Work by SciShow Kids & What is a Computer? By Socratia Kids
- Student Practice- (iPad) Hopster Coding Safari and/or (Computer/Online) Kodable
Day 4 & 5: Coding Unplugged & Device Coding *1/2 class do an activity a day
- Intro Video: Computer Programming by Brainpop Jr.
- Student Practice: Human Robot Coding & device coding from above
Hour of Code Activities | 1st Grade
Day 1 & 2: Teaching the Difference Between Software & Hardware
- Intro Video- Parts of a Computer by Brainpop Jr.
- Student Practice- How to Make a Paper Tablet
Day 3: Device Coding
- Intro Videos: How Does a Computer Work by SciShow Kids & What is a Computer? By Socratia Kids
- Student Practice- (iPad) Bee-Bot Coding and/or (Computer/Online) Kodable
Day 4 & 5: Coding Unplugged & Device Coding *1/2 class do an activity a day
- Intro Video: Computer Programming by Brainpop Jr.
- Student Practice: Human Robot Coding & device coding from above
Hour of Code Activities | 2nd Grade
Day 1: Device Coding
- Intro Video: The Hour of Code is Here
- Student Practice: (iPad/tablet) Scratch Jr.
- Under ‘Teach’, there are 9 great beginner printables that progress off one another for students. I like doing pair programming the first day to help students problem solve together. I also made a little checklist to help students check off when they complete a challenge.
Day 2 & 3: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Video: What Most Schools Don't Teach & Computer Programming by BrainPop Jr.
- Student Practice: (iPad/tablet) Scratch Jr. & (Online) Lightbot
Day 4 & 5: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Video: Computational Thinking by Brainpop Jr. & Conditionals by BrainPop Jr.
- Student Practice: Robot Turtles Board Game
- Since only half the class is playing at a time, when I’m introducing the game, we will play as a group in teams of 4. Once they get the hang of it, I will split them up onto the 2 remaining game boards.
Hour of Code Activities | 3rd Grade
Day 1: Device Coding
- Intro Video: The Hour of Code is Here
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Minecraft Block Coding
Day 2 & 3: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Videos: What Most Schools Don't Teach & Computer Programming by BrainPop Jr.
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Minecraft Block Coding & Coding Unplugged Donuts
Day 4 & 5: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Video: Computational Thinking by Brainpop Jr. & Conditionals by BrainPop Jr.
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Hour of Code Dance Party
Hour of Code Activities | 4th Grade
Day 1: Device Coding
- Intro Video: The Hour of Code is Here
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Scratch Block Coding: Imagine a World
Day 2 & 3: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Videos: What Most Schools Don't Teach & Computer Programming by BrainPop
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Scratch Block Coding: Imagine a World & Coding Unplugged Donuts
Day 4 & 5: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Videos: Computational Thinking by BrainPop & Loops by BrainPop
- Student Practice: (Tablets or Computers) Scratch Block Coding: Imagine a World
- On Scratch’s official website, there are more great tutorials to help students master this type of coding and challenges kids can complete. There are even coding cards to download and print.
Hour of Code Activities | 5th Grade
Day 1: Device Coding
- Intro Video: The Hour of Code is Here
- Student Practice: Makey Makey Introduction (explore insulators & conductors)
Day 2 & 3: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Videos: What Most Schools Don't Teach & Computer Programming by BrainPop
- Student Practice: Connect Makey Makey & Scratch together. There are great starter projects on Makey Makey’s ‘Resources’ page.
Day 4 & 5: Device Coding & Coding Unplugged
- Intro Videos: Computational Thinking by BrainPop & Variables by BrainPop
- Student Practice: Continue practicing Makey Makey & Scratch together.
Other blog posts you might enjoy:
- DIY Paper Dash Robot Instructions by Naomi Meredith
- Best Robots for Kids for STEM & Technology Lessons by Naomi Meredith
- Must Have STEM School Supply List by Naomi Meredith
What questions do you have about these activities? Have any other ideas to share? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
Want more resources to support Technology & STEM all year long? Grab this FREE downloadable guide that I’ve put together for you!