OVERVIEW
While there is no explicit coding curriculum in place until Grade 6 ADST, earlier elementary grades are ideal places to begin the exploration of coding and computational thinking concepts. One easy way to start is by identifying areas of your existing curriculum where Computational Thinking already exist. Learn more about computational thinking HERE.
RESOURCES
CS Unplugged is a collection of free teaching material that teaches Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around. This website has unit plans, lesson plans, teaching videos, curriculum integration activities, and programming exercises to plug in the Computer Science concepts they have just learnt unplugged.
Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Their vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra. Code.org provides the curriculum for K-12 computer science and also organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign which has engaged 10% of all students in the world.
CodeBC aims to connect British Columbia teachers to a wealth of grade-level appropriate, cross-curriculum coding and computational thinking resources. You can search through resources by grade, subject matter relevance, and even expertise level.
Kids Code Jeunesse wants to make sure every Canadian child is given the opportunity to learn computer programming. To do so, they help teachers and educators bring code into the classroom curriculum, into after-school programs, and into programs or Code Clubs at libraries and community centres. Check out their great resources!
Google CS First believes anyone can code, and anyone can teach others to code. No computer science experience is needed. Instructional videos guide students through each activity, allowing teachers to work with students individually. Google CS First also uses the most popular block based coding platform Scratch.
Code Club Canada provides projects that are easy to follow step-by-step guides, which help children learn Scratch, HTML & CSS and Python by making games, animations, and websites. There’s no need for the teacher to be a computing expert. The projects gradually introduce coding concepts to allow children to build their knowledge incrementally.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Coding Quest is Canada’s largest classroom-based coding program challenging students in Grades 4 to 6 to build their own computer game in the classroom.
Through this free experiential learning program, teachers are trained to apply coding to a range of subject areas in the classroom, helping students to strengthen core global competencies and computational thinking, including critical thinking, creative problem-solving, collaboration and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills. An in-service training, curriculum-linked resources, step-by-step lesson plans and ongoing support are provided for teachers.
Talk.CodeBC offer educators across the province the opportunity to commicate on coding related issues and share resources. An account is needed to join the conversation.