Discover many of the resources needed to get your kids interested in computer science. A mixture of games, websites, and hands on tools introduce computer science fundamentals and computation thinking before they can even read!

1. Teaching Kids to
Program
Sarah Phelps
Follow me on Twitter!
@mrsphelpscodes

2. My background
Then:
● Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education
● Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction
● 4th grade general education teacher from 2008-2016
● After school science and math enrichment program coordinator
Now:
● 2-5 computer science teacher district wide (~550 students)

3. Why teach programming to children?
● By the year 2020, there will be more than 1.4 million
computer programming jobs, but currently, US growth
rate project the US will only provide 400,000 computer
science students to fill those jobs. (Source: US Bureau
of Labor and Statistics)

4. ● Programming ideas can be applied to math, reading, and English concepts.
They address many Common Core and NGSS standards including-
○ Problem solving
○ Computational thinking
○ Critical thinking
○ Art and design
○ Engineering
● Coding encourages collaboration, communication, and creativity!
● Early introduction reduces the barriers often associated with getting kids

5. Pre-readers/Emergent readers
● Kids can start learning how to program even before they learn how to read!
● Offline
○ Robot Turtles
○ Code-a-pillar
○ Code and Go Robot Mouse
● Online/Apps
○ Kodable
○ Tynker

6. Elementary (K-5 students)
● Code.org
● Code Combat
● CodeMonkey
● Tynker
● Kodable

7. LEGO WeDo 2.0 and Mindstorms

8. Robots
Ozobot- No computer necessary, color based code/block coding optional
Dot and Dash
Sphero
Finch
Cozmo

9. Building Games
Help your kids realize that consuming technology is not the only option!
Bloxels
● Physical game set to develop characters and levels
● Free app where design and sharing takes place
Scratch (Creative Computing)
● Free curriculum related to game development OR
● Trade book guides to game development

10. Middle School (4-8)
● Scratch
● Code Academy
● Khan Academy
● Pluralsight

11. Embedded Projects
● Makey Makey
● Micro Bit
● Littlebits
● Adafruit
● Sparkfun
● Instructables

12. Call to action!
● Introduce your own children
● Volunteer at a local organization (library, Boys and Girls Club, etc.)
● Establish a Coder Dojo
● Push for change at your local school district
● Hold a Family Code Night

13. Contact me with any questions!
Sarah Phelps
@mrsphelpscodes
sphelps5136@gmail.com