TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 24, 2024
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
Astronomy Hour of Code - Quorum
Grades
6 to 12
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This Hour of Code tutorial guides you through creating a virtual telescope in a computer browser to search for astronomical objects in a virtual world. Follow the instructions in the...more
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This Hour of Code tutorial guides you through creating a virtual telescope in a computer browser to search for astronomical objects in a virtual world. Follow the instructions in the twenty-step tutorial to culminate in the completion of the game engine, which includes loaded images of stars to explore. Each activity also includes an optional challenge component to enhance learning.
tag(s): coding (89), space (217), stars (70), telescopes (10), tutorials (54)
In the Classroom
Include this activity with your other options for Hour of Code activities or as an engaging opportunity to learn about coding anytime during the year. Learn more about Hour of Code, reviewed here and find additional resources for coding at TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Coding in the Classroom Resources, reviewed here. Ask students to share coding tips by creating tutorials for their peers using a free screen recorder such as RecordCast Screen Recorder, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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CodePen - CodePen
Grades
7 to 12
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CodePen is an online social platform that allows members to write and share HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets, typically for web development and design purposes. Key features...more
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CodePen is an online social platform that allows members to write and share HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets, typically for web development and design purposes. Key features include real-time previews when editing code, the ability to share "pens" with collaborators when working on projects, and a community to provide feedback and collaboration on projects. CodePen encourages social interactions that allow members to comment on projects and follow other members to view their work. Weekly challenges enable participants to build skills and develop new activities.
tag(s): coding (89), collaboration (94), computational thinking (41), computers (110), critical thinking (118), problem solving (224), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Share the weekly challenges with students as an opportunity to learn and develop coding skills. Ask students to work together using "pens" to develop projects. Provide coding lessons in real time using CodePen and ask students to follow along and ask questions during the demonstration. Encourage students to include their work when creating portfolios using about.me, reviewed here by embedding their presentations and discussing the skills used.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cracking the Code: Coding in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Cracking the Code is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities...more
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Cracking the Code is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities to support students in learning about basic coding, including as a means to extend learning in content areas. This article provides background knowledge on valuable life skills learned by coding, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Next, the activities section includes a suggested list of picture books and activities that engage students in learning about and practicing coding skills. The extension activities include ideas for using coding skills in content and discusses possible resources for grants and scholarships as a fundraising option for bringing robots into the classroom as a coding experience. Content on this site includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (164), coding (89), professional development (406), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Include the suggested books and activities with your current lessons on coding. If you are new to coding, begin by offering activities found at Hour of Code, reviewed here. Although Hour of Code is an annual event held each December, the activities are always available, including options for beginners through advanced coders. Encourage your more tech-savvy students to become instructors and provide tutorials for their peers. Ask them to use a screen recording tool like Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here, to create short instructional videos demonstrating different methods for creating code.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hour of Code - Code.org
Grades
K to 12
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Join students around the globe each December to participate in Hour of Code activities. Hour of Code has incorporated AI (Artificial Intelligence) with Non-AI into the program; it's...more
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Join students around the globe each December to participate in Hour of Code activities. Hour of Code has incorporated AI (Artificial Intelligence) with Non-AI into the program; it's your choice which one in which to participate. This site provides all the information needed to get started and join the annual celebration. Register your event to be included in the global map of events, receive updates, and obtain help finding a local software engineer to inspire students. View the activities area to find beginner and "comfortable" coding activities for preschool through high school-aged students. Use filters to find exercises by content area, type of coding language, and lesson length, and choose from self-led activities or lesson plans. Additional options found at Hour of Code provide detailed information on planning and promoting your Hour of Code event to encourage participation and excitement within your classroom. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): coding (89), computational thinking (41), computers (110), preK (261), problem solving (224), STEM (284), Teacher Utilities (159)
In the Classroom
Use information on this site to plan and prepare for Hour of Code events at school and within your classroom. Create excitement for your upcoming event by engaging students during the days leading up to your Hour of Code by asking them to share ideas about coding using a word cloud created with Answer Garden, reviewed here. For example, create a word cloud that asks students to provide a short response to the question, "What is Creativity?" Extend student learning after your Hour of Code by providing various coding resources to try during computer centers or as an at-home activity. Ask students to reflect upon their coding experience using Canva Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here, to share their feelings about participating in Hour of Code. Extend learning by creating infographics and asking students to create and share information about coding and computer science careers. Infogram, reviewed here, and Genially, reviewed here, provide easy-to-use infographic creators that include many templates to use as a starting point.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Try an Hour of Code with Khan Academy - Khan Academy
Grades
3 to 12
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Participate in Hour of Code by selecting from different options provided by Khan Academy. Offerings include drawing with Javascript, using HTML and CSS to make webpages, and an Hour...more
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Participate in Hour of Code by selecting from different options provided by Khan Academy. Offerings include drawing with Javascript, using HTML and CSS to make webpages, and an Hour of Databases. All courses introduce beginners to coding through videos, challenges, and a final project. The teachers' guide provides clear guidelines for preparing and implementing Hour of Code activities. In addition, Khan Academy encourages participants to follow up on activities through links to their full coding curriculum.
tag(s): coding (89), computers (110), critical thinking (118), logic (162), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Although this site is a resource for Hour of Code, it is available at any time. Include the tutorials on classroom computers for students to use during computer center time or as an ongoing STEM activity. Encourage students to revisit lessons and try them again with their newly-found coding skills or ask them to try a different tutorial than the one used during Hour of Code. Ask students to become coding experts by sharing tips and ideas created using a screen recording tool such as Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here. Share the recordings on your class website for students to access from any location. Consider starting a monthly podcast designed by students to share coding tips and suggestions with the larger school community. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, offers up to two hours of free podcast uploads monthly. Hour of Code lessons are supported in many languages, including a transcript option for deaf students. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to track progress and earn badges on the Khan Academy site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CodeGuppy - CodeGuppy
Grades
6 to 12
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Learn JavaScript coding using CodeGuppy's free tutorials. CodeGuppy works well for both beginners and those with some coding skills. Begin with the tutorial that introduces the basics...more
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Learn JavaScript coding using CodeGuppy's free tutorials. CodeGuppy works well for both beginners and those with some coding skills. Begin with the tutorial that introduces the basics of the workspace and simple instructions. Additional lessons teach how to work with pixels and coordinates, draw colored lines and shapes, and customize many different games and activities. Next, follow the link to Hour of Code to find a downloadable Draw with Code book. This book provides basic coding information and directions to code to create various objects such as a car, flower, and balloon. Registration isn't required; however, creating an account allows you to save work.
In the Classroom
Coding is an excellent way to teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Use this site as homework, a center, or a lab setting. The site offers different learning opportunities, so differentiation is built in. Explain to students that coding is a critical skill in today's world filled with technology and will also be a valuable skill in the job market. Many jobs that will require coding do not yet exist. Put a link to this tool on your class website, blog, or wiki. Encourage advanced students to share their knowledge with peers by creating tutorials using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here. Although the Draw with Code book provides ideas to use with the Hour of Code in mind, it provides many different activities for students to complete throughout the year. Use a different page weekly to try their hand at coding or share with students to complete at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MakeCode Arcade - Microsoft
Grades
4 to 12
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Modify or create your retro games with MakeCode Arcade. Scroll the page to find resources on the site include coding tutorials, game design concepts, learning outcomes, and courses...more
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Modify or create your retro games with MakeCode Arcade. Scroll the page to find resources on the site include coding tutorials, game design concepts, learning outcomes, and courses in coding. Follow the prompts within the tutorials to create unique games using drag and drop code blocks. As you become familiar with coding, expand knowledge with Javascript or Python. Share using the links or download onto Microsoft game devices if available.
tag(s): coding (89), computers (110), game based learning (182), Microsoft (80), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Use Microsoft Arcade to introduce coding to both new and experienced coders. Share some ideas from the site on an interactive whiteboard (or with a projector), then have students experiment on their own. Encourage students who are comfortable with coding to become classroom experts and explain ideas to other students. Enhance their learning by asking them to make recordings using ScreenPal, reviewed here, to share tips, and demonstrate different features of coding. Use this tool with gifted students for a great challenge. Set up a coding activity center for interested students when they finish classwork 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.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Blockly Games - Google
Grades
K to 12
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Learn computer programming with Blockly Games, developed for students who don't have any prior coding experience. Games progress in difficulty starting with a simple puzzle and increase...more
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Learn computer programming with Blockly Games, developed for students who don't have any prior coding experience. Games progress in difficulty starting with a simple puzzle and increase through creating a pond game with text-based programming. Start from the beginning or choose any game to complete activities at your own pace.
tag(s): coding (89), game based learning (182), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the varying levels included with Blockly Games to introduce and develop coding skills with your students. After sharing the site on your interactive whiteboard (or with a projector), add a link to this site on classroom computers for use as a coding center. Include Blockly Games with your other coding resources using a bookmarking tool like Symbaloo EDU, reviewed here, to share links in one single tool. As students learn about coding, enhance technology use by asking them to reflect upon their learning through blogs. edublogs, reviewed here, is a free blogging platform developed for classroom use. Modify technology use and enhance learning by asking students to include screenshots of their work and discuss their problem-solving tips as they work through the different levels of coding skills. Use a screenshot tool such as Awesome Screenshot, reviewed here. As students become more proficient in using code, ask them to create their own games using Blockly, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Elementari - Nicole Kang and David Li
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
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Create interactive digital stories with Elementari. Features include drag-and-drop text, illustrations, shapes, and integrating coding. Start by setting up your classroom to integrate...more
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Create interactive digital stories with Elementari. Features include drag-and-drop text, illustrations, shapes, and integrating coding. Start by setting up your classroom to integrate storytelling with coding. Click Lessons from the top right menu to find interactive literacy lessons that combine coding with your curriculum. On the left is a column for choosing your grade level and topic. Each lesson includes an Introduction, Objectives, Coding Concepts Covered, Student Directions, and a Project Example. There are plenty of lessons to choose from to help your students become familiar with Elementari's features. Once students know how to use Elementari, let them create their own stories. After creating your account, select the option to write your story. Follow the prompts to add Elementari's free images, backgrounds, audio, and more. When finished, preview your story, then publish. After publishing, share using social media links or the provided embed code. You can also create 1 class with 35 students. Students do not need email to use Elementari. Students with existing accounts can also connect to your classroom. Students can choose an avatar from the ones provided and cannot upload any pictures. Teachers must approve stories before they can be published. In the Help Center, be sure to search for Curriculum Guide!
tag(s): coding (89), creative writing (123), digital storytelling (152), writing (322)
In the Classroom
You may want to start by clicking Help on the upper right menu. There you will find directions for Creating and Coding, Interactive Lessons, Classroom Dashboard, and others. Create stories together as a class as you move through a unit or topic. Enhance student learning by adding ideas your students suggest. Use in a flipped or blended classroom to deliver course information. Assign several student groups a different topic and extend their learning by having each group create their own version as they learn more about the topic. Challenge gifted students to modify the "standard" class text with the additional material they discover by going deeper and learning about related topics. In lower grades, create teacher-made digital stories for students to use as a learning tool.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Disney Hour of Code Digital Toolkit - Moana: Wayfinding with Code - Disney and Code.org
Grades
2 to 6
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Participate in Hour of Code activities using Disney's Moana as an engaging introduction to computer science. This site includes videos, a printable PDF toolkit, and a hands-on coding...more
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Participate in Hour of Code activities using Disney's Moana as an engaging introduction to computer science. This site includes videos, a printable PDF toolkit, and a hands-on coding adventure geared toward students ages eight through twelve. There is information in the toolkit sharing suggestions for preparing for your Hour of Code activities including coordinating volunteers and providing the appropriate technology needed for the session.
tag(s): coding (89), computational thinking (41), computers (110), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free materials to plan your Hour of Code activities for your school or classroom. Although created for Hour of Code, use these materials to create student interest in computer science at any time. Find many other coding activities and tutorials for all ability levels at Code, reviewed here. Instead of using the invitation provided in this activity, enhance learning and have students personalize and create their own flyer and invitations using Canva for Education, reviewed here. Use Canva after your activity to send thank you notes to volunteers. Extend learning and have students share their coding stories (including successes and failures) using Flock, reviewed here. Encourage students to continue to learn about coding and computer science using Scratch, reviewed here, to create their own learning games.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Minecraft Hour of Code Tutorials - code.org
Grades
2 to 12
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Use code to make your own Minecraft game or learn the basics of computer coding by moving characters through a Minecraft world with these Hour of Code activities. From the ...more
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Use code to make your own Minecraft game or learn the basics of computer coding by moving characters through a Minecraft world with these Hour of Code activities. From the top of the page choose one of the Minecraft Activities like Voyage Aquatic, Heros Journey, Adventurer, or Designer. These activities teach and reinforce coding skills through the familiar Minecraft game. Scroll down the page to watch one of the inspirational videos as an introduction. Free resources include a lesson plan, videos, computer science curriculum, and a teacher training. The free trial is limited by the number of logins and includes 25 for teachers with an Office 365 Education account and 10 for all other users. Trial logins cannot be refreshed.
tag(s): coding (89), computational thinking (41), computers (110), critical thinking (118), design (80), problem solving (224), STEM (284)
In the Classroom
Make coding part of science inquiry or math logic in any classroom. Include it as part of scientific method or discussions about careers in science. You may even want to portray coding as just another "world language" in today's world. Be sure to look at all the implementation advice before introducing these extensive coding resources to your class. It would be wise to complete the Hour of Code yourself, so you will feel comfortable helping students if they get stuck. Better yet, invite a few students to do an hour with you after school and learn together! You will have a team of "techsperts" to help their peers. Plan an hour of Code on nationally designated days or on your own calendar! Invite the PTA/PTO to host a coding event. Select a video from this site to use to introduce Computer Science to your students. If you only have a few computers, introduce this tool using a projector or interactive whiteboard and bookmark it as a learning station with earbuds/headphones. Encourage students to help each other when they have difficulty. Share this on your website for students to use at home, too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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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. No location near you? Click Programs from the top menu and slide down to Code At Home. While most of the content on this site is appropriate for middle school girls, please preview before you share.
tag(s): coding (89), communities (37), computers (110), critical thinking (118), logic (162), women (144)
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. If there are no locations near you (and no volunteers to start one) post this to your web page with the directions to Code At Home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Code - Hadi & Ali Partovi
Grades
K to 10
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Code is designed to spark interest in learning to code, especially among girls and the very young. Find lessons for beginners, kindergartners to tenth graders (or older). Start by clicking...more
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Code is designed to spark interest in learning to code, especially among girls and the very young. Find lessons for beginners, kindergartners to tenth graders (or older). Start by clicking either Teach or Learn in the top menu bar. Select challenges by grade level or find individual challenges with titles like Frozen, Star Wars, Sports, Barbie, Dance Party, Minecraft, Flappy Code, and more. The challenges and puzzles use a drag and drop process and problem-solving skills. Find everything an early coder needs to get started coding; click Teach at the top right to find a full course catalog and a grade level chart for the courses. There are also "unplugged tutorials" for classrooms without computers.
tag(s): coding (89), computational thinking (41), computers (110), critical thinking (118), problem solving (224), STEM (284), women (144)
In the Classroom
Make coding part of science inquiry or math logic in any classroom. Include it as part of scientific method or discussions about careers in science. You may even want to portray coding as just another "world language" in today's world. Once you've registered you will have a Dashboard; Note, the "Professional Learning" is not free. It would be wise to complete the Hour of Code yourself so you will feel comfortable helping students if they get stuck. Better yet, invite a few students to do an hour with you after school and learn together! You will have a team of "techsperts" to help their peers. Select the Learn button from the top menu to find two links for educators. Plan an hour of Code on nationally designated days or on your own calendar! Invite the PTA/PTO to host a coding event. Select a video to use to introduce Computer Science to your students. Introduce this tool using a projector or interactive whiteboard and bookmark it as a learning station with earbuds/headphones. Encourage students to help each other when they have difficulty. Share this on your website for students to use at home, too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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