Beginner's Guide to The Hour of Code

The Hour of Code is here and it is bigger than ever! 

Our world is changing. The way we communicate, gather, and think about information in the digital age requires a different set of skills for both teachers and students. Consider this: The U.S Department of Labor predicts that 65% of today's students will be employed in jobs that don't exist today. 

What are WE doing to give our kids the skills they need to prepare for the unknown? Where do we start?

Let's Start with the Hour of Code

The Hour of Code started as a one hour introduction to computer science and the movement has taken over the world. With a tiny bit of preparation, classroom teachers without any coding knowledge can introduce students to the world of coding. 

Ready to Participate? 

Here are Four Easy Steps to Bring the Hour of Code into Your Classroom 

1. Sign Up at Hour of Code 

Sign Up Here: This is optional, but by signing up you will be able to access additional resources for you students 

2. Choose a tutorial for your students from Hour of Code- Click here 

There are hundreds of free interactives to bring the Hour of Code into your classroom. I've compiled a list of activities to try with your students if you are new to the Hour of Code. See the chart below. 

3. Try the activity yourself for a few minutes. Spend a few minutes exploring the activity just to get a feel for what your students will experience. 

4. Schedule some time during the week of December 4th (or any time you want) with the Chromebooks and 

That's it!

There is much more that can be done during the Hour of Code, and if you're ready to explore the possibilities, feel free to explore the Hour of Code website at https://hourofcode.com/us

Title	Description	Tips/Tricks	Teacher Resource Page
Write Your First Computer Program	Learn the basic concepts of Computer Science with drag and drop programming with Angry Bird	Easy to use! Students can easily build code with this program	Teacher Resource Page: Write Your First Computer Program
Candy Quest Tynker	Design your own candy troll character and go on a multi-level quest for candy to eventually help your character find its way home. You'll solve coding puzzles to navigate your character through the human world, while avoiding obstacles and collecting gumdrops and mints.	No need to sign up for an account, but teachers can create an account, set up student accounts, and track progress.  Works on iPads, too!	Teacher Resource Page: Candy Quest Tynker