TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 27, 2016

Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive

 

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FreeCodeCamp - Quincy Larson

Grades
9 to 12
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FreeCodeCamp offers self-paced training in coding, followed by practice building projects for non-profit sources. The site includes 100's of challenges featuring many different types...more
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FreeCodeCamp offers self-paced training in coding, followed by practice building projects for non-profit sources. The site includes 100's of challenges featuring many different types of coding programs. Participate in FreeCodeCamp's curriculum to earn up to four standardized certifications in software development recognized by technology employers. Chat rooms provide assistance and support to participants working through certifications. FreeCodeCamp provides assistance in obtaining employment to users who complete certifications on the site.

tag(s): careers (139), coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

Browse through the menu of activities in each of the certifications to find lessons for stand-alone topics such as adding images to websites or working with different HTML features. Sign up isn't necessary to view lessons, only to save progress when working through certifications. Share FreeCodeCamp with students who have an interest in coding and computers. Encourage students to complete certifications to include with college applications. Share with students who may not have an interest in college, but have an interest in computers, coding, and gaming.

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Girls Who Code - Reshma Saujani

Grades
3 to 12
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Girls Who Code is an organization founded to help close the gender gap in technology. They have several programs offering girls the opportunity to explore coding with peers. The Clubs...more
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Girls Who Code is an organization founded to help close the gender gap in technology. They have several programs offering girls the opportunity to explore coding with peers. The Clubs Program is for girls in grades 3-12 and meets two hours each week in local schools and provides opportunities for computer training for beginners through advanced learner. Click Locations from the top menu to see if there is a school near you. The Summer Program offers a 2-week immersion program or a 6 week self-paced program for 9th-12th-grade students in coding and exposure to jobs in the technology field. While most of the content on this site is appropriate for middle school girls, please preview before you share.

tag(s): coding (87), communities (36), computers (105), critical thinking (112), logic (163), women (136)

In the Classroom

Share this site with your school's administration or anyone willing to consider leading an after-school computer program for girls and ask them to become a sponsor. Be sure to share information on the Summer Immersion Program with your high school guidance counselor and technology teachers as an excellent opportunity for interested students.

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CodeHow - CodeNow.org

Grades
6 to 12
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CodeHow is a series of YouTube videos created by alumni of CodeNow sessions teaching students about coding. Presented by students, these videos explain common programming misconceptions...more
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CodeHow is a series of YouTube videos created by alumni of CodeNow sessions teaching students about coding. Presented by students, these videos explain common programming misconceptions and programming concepts. Topics include getting started with Github, Cloud9, and specific programming concepts such as working with string variables. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): coding (87), computers (105), creativity (92), critical thinking (112), logic (163), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

Share CodeHow tutorials with students interested in coding and computer programming. Share with your school's technology teacher for use with advanced students or after-school computer clubs. Consider asking technology leaders in your community to speak to students with specific tips and advice for learning how to code.

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Flappy Code - Code Studio

Grades
K to 12
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Create a Flappy Bird game using drag and drop code, then save it to your phone to play over and over! Follow the 10 step directions to add code to ...more
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Create a Flappy Bird game using drag and drop code, then save it to your phone to play over and over! Follow the 10 step directions to add code to your workspace as you make your bird fly toward a target, give directions for the end of game results, and edit actions and speed of the game. When finished, share games via URL or social networking links. The intro video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), game based learning (171), gamification (74), logic (163)

In the Classroom

Use Flappy Code as an interesting way to introduce coding to your class. Display Flappy Code on your interactive whiteboard or projector as you progress through the steps to code a game, then have students create and explore on their own. After school clubs and activities can use Flappy Code to learn to code. Use this tool with gifted students for a great challenge. Set up a coding activity center for interested students when they finish class work or for rainy days and snow days. Share this link on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom.

Comments

This resource would be engaging for students just learning how to code. Melissa, , Grades: 0 - 5

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Code Hunt - Microsoft Research

Grades
4 to 12
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Learn to code while playing Code Hunt. You become the code hunter, and your mission is to discover missing code fragments. Use Java or C+, or both, to progress through ...more
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Learn to code while playing Code Hunt. You become the code hunter, and your mission is to discover missing code fragments. Use Java or C+, or both, to progress through sectors and work your way to learning more complex programming skills. Throughout the game experience, the grading engine analyzes player's code and provides grades for correctness and quality. Go to the Microsoft store to download Code Hunt for free.

tag(s): coding (87), computers (105), critical thinking (112), engineering (117), Microsoft (84), problem solving (225), STEM (259)

In the Classroom

Learning to code is an opportunity to teach students to think and problem solve, and coding is a critical digital literacy skill for the future. Create a recess/lunch time or after school coding club for students to access the site. Challenge students to write stories to accompany each level of code they complete as they play Code Hunt. Provide an environment for students to collaborate to solve the levels such as a collaborative learning center.

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Google CS First - Google

Grades
5 to 9
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Google CS First is a program to increase access and teach computer science to 4th-8th-grade students. All training and materials are free for anyone in the U.S. Materials offer lessons...more
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Google CS First is a program to increase access and teach computer science to 4th-8th-grade students. All training and materials are free for anyone in the U.S. Materials offer lessons based on themes such as storytelling, sports, social media, friends, and fashion and design. In addition to lesson materials, Google CS provides online training information for teachers/club leaders. If you are participating in Hour of Code, be sure to see their many one hour offerings.

tag(s): animation (61), coding (87), computational thinking (41), critical thinking (112), digital storytelling (142), gamification (74), musical notation (35), problem solving (225), social media (53), sports (78), stories and storytelling (40)

In the Classroom

Create a club in your classroom as part of your STEM activities, as a lunch/recess club, or an at-home activity for students. Use the flyers and presentation materials provided to create interest in the club. Differentiate clubs by student interests and abilities. Share Google CS First with your school's media or tech leader as an excellent resource for teaching coding. This site is perfect for those who want to learn more about coding, but have some hesitancy since all materials from creating a group through the lessons are free. If you still have some doubts, enlist the services of a tech-savvy high school student to help with activities as part of their volunteering requirements.

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Pencil Code Gym - David Bau

Grades
K to 12
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Code your own art, music, and interactive fiction with Pencil Code Gym. The main language is Coffescript, but you can click the word Reference in the upper left corner to ...more
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Code your own art, music, and interactive fiction with Pencil Code Gym. The main language is Coffescript, but you can click the word Reference in the upper left corner to use HTML for writing tags in your code. Pencil Code also supports Javascript and CSS. Follow instructions to code using drag and drop blocks or text. Toggle back and forth between the two formats to view the different formats. Click the pencil in the upper left corner to see several resources including Materials for Teachers, Teachers Manual, Printable Activities, and several others. The wide range of activities make this site perfect for use with students of all levels of coding abilities. When complete, share finished projects on "GymStage", the sharing portion of Pencil Code Gym.

tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), critical thinking (112), digital storytelling (142), drawing (60), geometric shapes (135), musical notation (35), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

Create a link on classroom computers for use as centers. Use the text options for students to use with digital storytelling. This site is perfect for differentiating different levels of coding skills. Allow students to explore at their own pace, then share their creations with classmates. Extend learning by challenging students or groups to create videos explaining their creations using Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video Maker, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. Be sure to add a link to your class website for students to practice at home.
 

Comments

Great resource for all ages, more appropriate for middle school and above. Melissa, , Grades: 0 - 5

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Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation - Kahn Academy

Grades
6 to 12
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In this Kahn Academy interactive online course, participants learn the basics of the JavaScript language to draw images and animations and beyond. Select from the Contents menu on the...more
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In this Kahn Academy interactive online course, participants learn the basics of the JavaScript language to draw images and animations and beyond. Select from the Contents menu on the left, or scroll down the page. Lessons are taught using short videos. Many videos have an interactive transcript and an error checker to assist you if you make a mistake. Use the provided links to videos hosted on YouTube. After viewing the explanation or a concept, try the practice sessions. Work through the seventeen modules with multiple lessons to earn badges. Many of the videos include real-time student questions and replies, Tips, Thanks, and Spin-Offs. The New Program space encourages the creation of original JavaScript programs. To save progress and keep track of projects, create an account by signing up using Gmail, Facebook or any email. Identify yourself if you are teacher or parent. Documentation, in both text and video format, includes information on JS basics. Help is available in a community forum format which students may access. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): animation (61), coding (87), computers (105), critical thinking (112), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

The course is self-paced, so differentiation is easy. Explain to students that coding is a critical skill in today's tech-filled world and will be a valuable skill in the job market. Compare coding to just another "world language." Put a link to this tool on a class website, blog, or wiki. Look for more ways to use coding in the classroom on the TeachersFirst's Coding in the Classroom page, here. Make JS part of science inquiry or math logic in any classroom. Besides the intrinsic factors that come with learning to code, students will be motivated by badges. Set up a coding activity center for interested students when they finish class work or for rainy days and snow days. Coding is an excellent way to teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Use this site as homework, a classroom center, or in a lab setting.

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