Hour of Code

Tomorrow begins Computer Science Education Week and the big push is to encourage as many students as possible to try an hour of code. The goal isn’t to turn every student into Bill Gates, but rather to learn how simple and fun coding can be. Parents and preschoolers, grandparents and middle schoolers, can all code for the first time together. So put that computer, laptop, or iPad to good use this week and learn what is available to everyone 24/7/365.

Posted by Matt Kranich on 12/6/2015
WGSD Parent and WGSD School Board Member

While some of our WGSD students have and will get their hour of code in the classroom, hopefully your child will look forward to coding once a week. Learning to code requires students to create and or follow a sequence of logical steps. Simply put, learning to code teaches students to think.

frozen-hour-of-code
Code.org® is a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color.
minecraft-hour-of-code
Do your kids already enjoy Minecraft? Code.org has created a coding game that should peak their interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, code.org has made it so a student can be an independent learner, at their own pace, in the comfort of their own home. My five year old son (enrolled in 4K at Woodfield) loves to code, and quickly advanced to where he needs my guidance, but mainly because he can’t yet read. With that said, learning to code will really challenge your son or daughter because with each success comes a new and immediate challenge. To keep it fun, and avoid meltdowns, consider a finite amount of time per visit to code.org.  I have found that one or two 30 minute sessions per week is plenty.