Infographic created by Mia Gittlen
Students in Berkeley and beyond were abuzz as they coded on computers during Hour of Code.
4th graders at BAM participating in Hour of Code. Photo Credit: Eric Silverberg
Hour of Code is an activity that introduces students to computer science in just one hour. This annual event occurs each December to celebrate Computer Science Education Week. Started in 2013, now millions of students participate worldwide tackling dozens of engaging activities on the Hour of Code website.
Every year elementary, middle, and high school classes across Berkeley participate. 2018 highlights include:
100% participation at Emerson Elementary:
With the help of parent volunteers, all classes in 1st through 5th grades dedicated an hour to coding. Volunteers provided an introduction to coding and then students launched into a pre-selected activity on the Chromebooks. First graders made their own mazes with Kodable. Second and third graders explored the new Minecraft Voyage Aquatic. Fourth and fifth graders designed their own dance party. Check out this video of first graders learning about coding:
An Hour of Code each day in Janine Herbertson’s third grade class at Cragmont Elementary:
3rd graders coding at Cragmont. Photo Credit: Mia Gittlen
Third graders coded cool dance moves, traversed through the Minecraft aquatic world, and programmed Star Wars droids in a galaxy far, far away. By day three, students had a lot to say about what coding is all about and were confidently completing coding challenges well within the hour!
The first ever after school Hour of Code parties in Amy Talley’s open lab at King Middle School:
On both Tuesday (for Hour of Code) and Thursday (for the Girls Who Code club launch), 40 students filled the room using all of the desktop computers plus Chromebooks from a nearby classroom.
Girls who attended on Thursday created 3D drawings of their superpower using an app called Quiver.
Photo Collages Courtesy of Amy Talley
In addition to fun computer science activities, students won prizes and devoured snacks.
Keep in mind Hour of Code activities are designed to be self-guided and require minimal planning and no previous coding experience. There are activities that don’t involve computers. Plus Hour of Code and other coding activities can be incorporated at any time of the year.
Are you ready to implement a coding lesson for the first time? Remember Tech Teacher Leaders and members of DigiTech are happy to provide classroom support. Let’s keep coding!
– Mia Gittlen, K-8 Instructional Technology TSA