Cracking the Code!

I had so much fun this week using Hour of Code to create snowflakes with Elsa and Anna! I had this student once as an EA who said “no-plakes” and it was so cute once I figured out what he was saying. Anyway, I did learn a lot about being specific in giving the computer directions in order to get the design I wanted, or trace the template I was prompted with. 

While I was working on my snowflakes, I was inspired to think about the ways we can incorporate coding into other subjects. For example, I was thinking about using coding in procedural writing, but I was also thinking of using coding in math. You can pose the question relative to what they are learning, teach the steps to achieve the solution, then apply the steps to solving the problem/equation to writing a code. Students can then test their codes and use different numbers/situations for the codes that they write. What I would find most interesting are the different ways in which students may think about certain equations, and you would be able to gain some insight into their thinking processes. 

Of course, websites like Hour of Code provide teachers with activities that relate to certain topics and subjects. Most of these pre-set coding activities could be worked into a subject to bring a lesson to life and further engage students in their learning while incorporating something new and fun!