5 Resources to Support Coding in the Classroom

As the K-5 STEAM teacher in Sebastian, Florida’s Treasure Coast Elementary School, I am proud to offer my colleagues and students a unique blend of teaching and computer support experience. Initially, I supported teachers with their technological requirements, oblivious to the classroom frustrations they faced every single day. While I had previously worked for a computer network firm that had manageable deadlines and frustrations, those paled in comparison to the deadlines and constraints a teacher faces when technology is not working–which always seemed to happen around when it was needed most!

By working alongside my teachers, sharing alternative technology applications and attempting to help them further understand the way technology worked, I learned the preciousness of their time and its limited availability. When I then undertook the duties of Coordinator for the Techy Pirates Robotics Club, an after-school coding enrichment program for students seeking to develop their programming skills, I discovered my passion for teaching through coding and technology, and the enthusiasm of my students when they grasped new concepts.

This ultimately led me to pursue an education degree and transition directly into a teaching role. Through my experiences, I have gained a well-rounded understanding of my school by being a staff member, a parent, and an educator. This understanding has allowed for me to better support my classroom teachers as a STEAM educator in a multitude of ways.

One of those ways was through coding. I recognized early on that coding presents a challenge for some educators, as it is newer technology, and it is difficult to fit learning something new into already jam-packed school days. However, I believe that coding is a way of the future; it opens the students up to more opportunities and the need for coding has expanded significantly. In my experience, coding has proven to be a valuable tool for creating an interactive classroom environment, facilitating the visualization of mathematical concepts and fostering computational thinking. Students approach coding with such enthusiasm, perceiving it as a creative outlet rather than a burden of classwork. The repetitive nature of coding exercises enables students to internalize mathematical concepts, while cultivating diligence and decision-making skills.

Throughout my career, I have explored various resources and applications that support my students’ growth in coding. Here are the top five resources I have found that are beneficial for both teachers and students:

Sphero Education– Sphero Education offers multifaceted coding education and support. As a Title I school, I leveraged innovative fundraising strategies, including bake sales and chocolate sales, to acquire a single set of twelve Sphero Bolts. The platform’s intuitive design, coupled with coding videos and segments, heavily supports teachers and students’ learning. Sphero also offers competitions to its members worldwide, and community groups to help troubleshoot and share lessons. Sphero technology goes far beyond just coding, as their use for robots and Spheros push students to develop innovative thinking skills.

Tynker Coding– If supported by your school district, Tynker Coding can be a great platform to utilize. They do offer free resources online to help emphasize code education for ages 5-18. I enjoy how their coding system captivates learners through features such as Minecraft and picture block coding. They also offer free professional development online to further support teachers’ understanding.

Discovery Education– Discovery Education has always been known for their innovative resources serving K-12 students in all disciplines. But they also offer coding packs, and they are incredibly user-friendly. Especially if you are a teacher new to coding platforms. Discovery Education has coding grab and go lessons that can be assigned in a matter of seconds. The coding pack they offer has introductory videos to help get you started and a glossary for a better understanding of abbreviated terminology. They also offer three options of coding: block coding, python, and html. You can view these assignments as both the teacher and student. I love having my students create in code and then project their work on the board to show others.

Scratch/ Scratch Junior– Scratch is a free platform that students enjoy using as it offers more than just a coding. There are two versions: Scratch for ages 8 and up, which focuses on advanced coding and gaming, and Scratch Junior, which is used for kindergarten through second grade. Scratch offers teacher led activities, which allow you to try step-by-step coding features alongside your students and creates an engaging coding experience that helps your students to learn with you. Scratch/Scratch Jr. also offers many enjoyable interactive games and animations to support even the youngest learners.

Code.org– Code.org is an exceptional free resource for supporting teachers and students on their coding journey. The Hour of Code is an introductory program designed for teachers and students to explore, play, and create, providing a comprehensive foundation in coding. This platform offers coding courses for K-12 students, emphasizing fundamental concepts and computer science connections. Additionally, teachers who require further instruction can access a vast array of activities and videos to further enhance their understanding of coding.

These are just a few of the great coding resources available to educators. No matter which one you choose to begin your coding journey with you will find a bevy of supports that will have you integrating coding into your lessons easily in no time!