This week we celebrated Computer Science Education Week, and our first graders dove right in with the Hour of Code! The goal of this worldwide event is to give students a fun, low-pressure introduction to coding, helping them see that computer science isn’t mysterious or reserved for adults. It’s simply giving clear instructions to a computer, just like giving directions to a friend.
We kicked things off with a silly, kid-friendly video that introduced the idea of programming. Then we explored two beginner-friendly types of coding: block coding and directional coding. Block coding uses colorful, drag-and-drop blocks that snap together like digital LEGO bricks. Kids combine blocks to create little programs that make characters move, dance, or solve challenges. Directional coding uses arrows to guide robots or on-screen characters through mazes. Many of the robots in our classroom, like Code-and-Go Mouse and Botley, use this type of coding!
Before jumping in, we talked about the big idea behind all coding: problem solving. Coding is like putting together a puzzle. You break a big task into small steps, test your ideas, and try again when something doesn’t work. The class quickly discovered that bugs (little mistakes in code) aren’t failures, they’re a normal part of learning! Our motto for the day became: “Try something!” and students loved cheering each other on as they solved puzzles to build their programs.
Once we understood the basics, students rotated through a variety of hands-on activities. Some explored coding games on the computer that let them animate characters and build short programs. And of course, the coding robots were a huge hit! Students programmed them to travel across mats, follow mazes, and reach specific targets. Many groups even began experimenting with loops and sequencing without realizing they were using real computer science vocabulary!
All of the websites we used are available through our first grade Google Classroom under the heading Hour of Code, so students can continue practicing at home. And the coding fun didn’t stop there—students had even more opportunities to build their skills in STEM class with Mrs. Sexton yesterday.
Exploring coding at this age fosters problem-solving, perseverance, creativity, and logical thinking and our first graders showed all of that and more this week. We’re excited to keep building these skills throughout the year!
