Hi there! I’m Alice from Code.org, and I’m excited to invite you to join the Hour of Code. This is a special event where students from all around the world spend one hour learning about computer science. It’s a fun way to explore coding, and you don’t need any previous experience to join in!
The Hour of Code is a one-hour activity where you get to try out computer science. It’s available in more than 30 languages, so students everywhere can participate. The best part is that you can learn at your own pace, and it’s designed for everyone, no matter how old you are.
So far, students have completed over 100 million Hours of Code during Computer Science Education Week. This December, you can be part of this amazing movement too! Learning to code is important because there are lots of job opportunities in computing, and they are growing fast. Knowing how to code can help you in any career you choose.
First, decide where you’ll do your Hour of Code. You can use any device like a tablet, PC, Mac, or smartphone. If you don’t have enough devices, you can share a computer with your classmates or do a tutorial together on a board. There are also unplugged activities that don’t need a computer at all, which can be done anywhere, even outside! These activities show that you can think like a computer scientist without using a computer.
Next, pick a tutorial. There are over 20 different one-hour tutorials to choose from. Each one introduces computer science in a unique way. For example, you can learn to make an interactive card using Scratch, or explore the basics of JavaScript with Khan Academy. Code.org offers fun puzzles and art activities featuring characters you love. Try out the tutorial yourself before your class does, so you can help answer any questions.
Now it’s time to start coding! Have your students go to code.org/learn and begin the tutorial you chose. If someone finishes early, they can try another tutorial or help their classmates. If you’re doing an unplugged activity, give out the materials and explain how it works.
And that’s it! Hosting an Hour of Code is simple and doesn’t require much preparation. You can sign up for your event at hourofcode.com. Have fun exploring the world of coding!
Imagine you’re a character in a story who learns to code. Write a short story about your adventure during the Hour of Code. Include what you learned and how you felt. Share your story with the class and discuss the different experiences everyone had.
Pair up with a classmate and choose a coding tutorial from code.org/learn. Work together to complete the tutorial, taking turns to code and solve problems. Discuss any challenges you face and how you overcome them. This will help you learn teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Participate in an unplugged activity where you simulate coding without a computer. Use paper and pencils to create a simple algorithm for a daily task, like making a sandwich. Present your algorithm to the class and see if they can follow your instructions accurately.
Create a poster that encourages others to join the Hour of Code. Include reasons why learning to code is important and fun. Use drawings, slogans, and facts from the article. Display your poster in the classroom or school hallway to inspire your peers.
Organize a mini code fair in your classroom. Each student or group can present a project or tutorial they completed during the Hour of Code. Explain what you learned and demonstrate your project. Invite other classes to visit and learn about coding from your presentations.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hi, my name is Alice, and I work at Code.org. Today, we’re calling on students from all over the world to participate in the Hour of Code. We need your help to make it happen!
Participating in the Hour of Code means engaging in a one-hour computer science activity. It’s designed for learners of all ages and is available in over 30 languages. No previous experience is required, and activities are self-guided, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Students have already completed over 100 million Hours of Code during Computer Science Education Week, and you can join the movement this December. This initiative is important because the number of open computing jobs is growing much faster than the number of students entering the field. These are excellent job opportunities! Every young person should have the chance to learn these foundational skills, regardless of the field they choose to pursue.
Now, let’s discuss how to host an Hour of Code.
**Step 1: Plan where you will host your Hour of Code.** You can conduct the Hour of Code on any device, including tablets, PCs, Macs, and smartphones. Students can also take turns using a shared computer in your classroom or try a tutorial together on the board. There are even unplugged tutorials that can be completed without any computers at all, which can be done anywhere, even outdoors! These activities are especially enjoyable for groups and demonstrate that computational thinking isn’t solely about computers.
Once you’ve planned the location, it’s time for **Step 2: Choose a tutorial.** We have over 20 different one-hour tutorials to select from, each introducing computer science in its own way for students from K-12 and learners of any age. For example, there’s a tutorial that teaches how to create an interactive card using the programming environment Scratch. Another tutorial from Khan Academy covers the basics of JavaScript, a popular programming language. Code.org offers tutorials that introduce computer science principles through fun puzzles and art, featuring characters that students love. Check out the options and choose the best fit for your students. We encourage you to try the selected tutorial yourself before your class does, so you can answer any questions that may arise.
Now you’re ready for **Step 3: Coding.** It’s time for your students to participate in the Hour of Code. Have them visit code.org/learn and choose the tutorial you selected. Students who finish early can try a different, perhaps more advanced tutorial, or assist others. If you’re doing an unplugged tutorial, distribute the materials and explain the rules.
That’s it! As you can see, hosting an Hour of Code with your students requires minimal preparation and no prior experience. Sign up for your event at hourofcode.com.
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that tells a computer what to do. – Example sentence: “I wrote a code to make the computer display my name on the screen.”
Computer – An electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data to perform various tasks. – Example sentence: “We use a computer in class to research information for our projects.”
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to understand and execute. – Example sentence: “In our coding club, we learn how to create simple games using Scratch.”
Tutorial – A lesson or guide that helps someone learn how to do something, often using step-by-step instructions. – Example sentence: “I followed an online tutorial to learn how to create a website.”
Learn – To gain knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, or being taught. – Example sentence: “I want to learn how to program robots in our technology class.”
Hour – A unit of time equal to 60 minutes, often used to measure how long we spend on activities. – Example sentence: “We spent an hour learning about how computers work.”
Science – The study of the natural world through observation and experiments, often involving technology and computers. – Example sentence: “In science class, we used computers to simulate a volcano eruption.”
Devices – Electronic tools or machines, like computers or tablets, used to perform tasks. – Example sentence: “Our school provides devices for each student to use during computer lab.”
Activity – A task or project that involves doing something, often to learn or practice a skill. – Example sentence: “Today’s activity in computer class was to create a digital story using coding.”
Explore – To investigate or study something in order to learn more about it. – Example sentence: “We used a new app to explore different coding languages.”
