How to Teach Anything Through Code

Welcome to episode 2 of Beyond the Hour of Code, a podcast to help teachers do great work. In this episode, we take on a couple of the big ideas we need to use code the best way possible for our elementary students.

Code is a Text, and we Teach Through Text

If you have been teaching for a while and you don't have a degree in computer programming, no one expects you to stop what you are doing and go become an expert in code, you are an expert in kids. Code is a text, it communicates something, it does something for some reason. With the help of simple apps like ScratchJr, my students can compose these meaningful texts, even my pre-readers.

If you are a teacher who likes to address standards in multiple contexts (spiraling), coding can become another stop on your instructional tour.

Programming is Problem Solving

My students have plenty of problems to solve every day, and leveled programming apps give me a chance to teach problem-solving skills. Most of the programming work my kids do is more open-ended, and composing those texts is a problem-rich process. Since you as the teacher are not a code expert, this problem solving can be very genuine. When I teach this part of coding I enjoy being a partner in the process with the kids, helping them find the right information on the screen. So much of this is actually reading strategy instruction. (READ THE SCREEN).

Coding the Standards

Computer Science Standards

Leveled CS experiences

• CS First

Google's CS First curriculum is a collection of fun activities like “Make your own Google Logo.” Through the activities, students learn about and apply computer science concepts.

• Kodable
• The Foos

Beyond Computer Science- Content Area Knowledge

• Open Studio Apps
• Story Telling (Thanks, Jacob Lee)
• Dialogues

Beyond Standards- Student Empowerment

• Profound platform for sharing and interacting
• Students quickly learn that they can create these texts about the things they care about.

Like the Show? Buy the Book!

Programming in the Primary Grades: Beyond the Hour of Code is your guidebook for keeping the focus on your highest goals as you bring coding into your classroom.