We describe our top 5 favorite tools to learn computer science for kids in grades K-8.
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Use Scratch Jr (a free app for Android, iOS, and ChromeOS) to learn computer science concepts for young students.
Have a K-3 World Cup fan in the house? Allow them to learn the basics of computer science while creating this fun animation in Scratch Jr. Students will learn how to create scenes, send messages (events), and have fun telling stories.
Watch the video and leave comments or questions about Scratch Jr. Please don’t forget to subscribe or like the video if it is fun and educational!
Use Scratch Jr (a free app for Android, iOS, and ChromeOS) to learn computer science concepts for young students.
This video focuses on using the right coding blocks and timing to change the background in your young learner’s game. This will create endless, dynamic game experiences!
Watch the video and leave comments or questions about Scratch Jr. Please don’t forget to subscribe or like the video if it is fun and educational!
Use Scratch Jr (a free app for Android, iOS, and ChromeOS) to learn computer science concepts for young students.
This video focuses on the Blue Motion blocks and Yellow Triggering Blocks in Scratch Jr.
Watch the video and leave comments or questions about Scratch Jr. Please don’t forget to subscribe or like the video if it is fun and educational!
Learn coding while you create a fun turkey hide game in Scratch.
Follow along with me and make your own version of the game. It’s holiday-themed fun!
Credit to Maytal at Create Code Load for the inspiration!
Watch the video and leave comments, questions, or share your own creations! Please don’t forget to subscribe or like if the video is fun and educational!
Create a fun turkey escape game while learning code with Microsoft MakeCode.
This video will help you see annd follow each step whether you’re new to or created many games in Microsoft Makecode! It’s holiday-themed fun!
We made a PDF Walkthrough to guide you!
Watch the video and leave comments or questions about Microsoft Makecode. Please don’t forget to subscribe or like if the video is fun and educational!
Microsoft MakeCode is a great tool to teach kids to learn how to code and the principles of computer programming.
Microsoft MakeCode has a lot of built in logic to create arcade style games or “retro games” even parents might recognize. Kids can even try the code conversion tool to show how their block code changes to an official coding language.
Kids can work through the logic of programming without getting hung up on technical syntax. The block-based coding allows kids can think about the logic first and try different options to solve them. Computer programming for kids allow them to break down complex problems to solve them.
I guide 3rd-6th graders in an exercise on animation in Scratch. Scratch is a great online tool to learn the foundations of computer science and coding in a fun way. Follow along to learn how to animate your sprites. This 24-minute video was presented as a livestream on YouTube on March 25, 2020.
In this 15-minute lesson, I help children in K-2 program a car to drive in a city on Scratch Jr. using a tablet. The great thing about Scratch Jr. is it can be installed on most tablets for kids to use at home. This video was presented as a livestream on YouTube on March 25, 2020.
I guide 3rd-6th graders in an Hour of Code exercise on code.org using Minecraft as the topic of the game. We often use this as an ice breaker in our classes to establish a baseline of understanding for problem solving and coding. This 35-minute video was presented as a livestream on YouTube on March 24, 2020.