Getting Started: The Hour of Code in Your Classroom or School

Code.org has a wide variety of resources for getting started with coding and learning computer science. Read and print a PDF copy of the steps for Getting Started with the Hour of Code.

Step 1: Read the Hour of Code How to Guide

• Review the steps for How to Teach One Hour of Code for Teachers on the Code.org website.
• If you have questions check out the frequently asked questions document.

Step 2: Determine your technology needs - Computers are Optional

• Will you have access to computers? iPads? BYOD?
• Do you have enough for 1:1? If not, use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and see that computer science is social and collaborative.
• If you don’t have access to devices, try the offline unplugged activities.

Step 3: Select your Tutorial or Activity to try one hour of coding.

• Having a go before your students will  build your own knowledge and give you an idea of what they will experience. 

Our recommended activities sorted by device and grade:

Activity	Grade Level	Computer	iPad	Unplugged
Course 1: Early Readers   Completely visual and picture based, this course allows student to match pictures without reading.	K, 1, 2	Yes	Yes (through a web browser)
Kodable App	K, 1, 2		Yes
Scratch Jr App (it is also available on Android for your BYOD students). When you open the app it is not clear what to do. Learn how to use the app here and find activities and assessment ideas on the Scratch Jr website.	K, 1, 2		Yes
My Robotic Friends	K - 8			Yes
Code.org’s Hour of Code Activity for beginners and Teacher Guide Reading and applying the given feedback is important especially if students are working independently. Having students work collaboratively in partners on one computer helps them to work through the challenging puzzles. When students have completed their Hour of Code print a certificate.	2 - 8	Yes	Yes (through a web browser)
Course 2 - Reading required. Designed for students that can read with no prior programming experience.	3 - 8	Yes	Yes (through a web browser)
Intro to Computer Science This course is long, and include many of the code.org activities. More appropriate for upper junior or intermediate students who work quickly and will move through several stages to the more advanced levels.	4 - 8	Yes	Yes (through a web browser)

Try a lesson created and tested in the classroom by our Coding Collaborators team: Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Secondary or try one of the code.org unplugged activities.

Step 4: Start your Hour of Code

• Inspire students and explain what “coding” is with a video:
• The original Code.org launch video, featuring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and NBA star Chris Bosh (There are 1 minute, 5 minute, and 9 minute versions)
• The Hour of Code 2013 launch video, or the Hour of Code 2014 video
• Frozen - Hour of Code Introduction with Anna and Elsa

• Direct Students to the chosen activity.
• If your students run into difficulties try these strategies from Code.org:
• Tell students, “Ask 3 then me.” Ask 3 classmates, and if they don’t have the answer, then ask the teacher.
• Encourage students and offer positive reinforcement: “You’re doing great, so keep trying.”
• It’s okay to respond: “I don’t know. Let’s figure this out together.” If you can’t figure out a problem, use it as a good learning lesson for the class: “Technology doesn’t always work out the way we want. Together, we’re a community of learners.” And: “Learning to program is like learning a new language; you won’t be fluent right away.“
• If students finish early have them try another activity:
• Code Studio  
• Frozen - Use code to make Elsa skate, and watch the pattern she creates.
• Play Lab- Use code to make the dog speak and move.
• Flappy Bird- Use code to make flappy fly towards the target.