Coding Summer Camp-Learn to Code:Intro to Block Coding With Fun Characters(Ages 5-8)

Discover the basics of code by solving a variety of drag-and-drop block coding puzzles with fun, colorful characters to learn the coding skills of sequencing, loops/repeats, and events.

In this 4-day interactive class, students will learn to code by completing several sets of puzzles on the coding education website Code.org. The puzzles for ages 5-8 feature fun, cartoon characters who need to be given code directions to find their way through a maze, draw a picture, and complete other tasks. Learners will drag and drop up, down, left, and right arrows to guide the characters through each puzzle, along with other various commands. The teacher will explain the coding concepts of sequencing, loops (repeats), and events while guiding learners through the set of puzzles in each lesson.

**NOTE: Everyone learns to code at their own unique pace and speed. Although learners will practice the same set of skills together each day and work on similar activities, some learners may complete the tasks faster or slower than others. This is a live class, but it is often individual student paced.

**WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?:
- Students with no coding experience (or very little) who want to learn the basics
- Students with some basic coding experience who want to improve their skills and understanding

**REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Able to use a computer mouse/trackpad comfortably (point with cursor, click, drag, hold, drop)
- Being able to read is helpful, but not required. If students are still learning to read, they can still easily navigate the Code.org program through colored buttons and symbols

In each of the 4 class sessions, the teacher will focus on a specific coding skill and start by guiding learners through a few puzzles in a specific focus lesson of the Code.org course. Later in class, learners can choose to finish the puzzles in the focus lesson OR go back and work on puzzles from the previous day(s) to practice other skills. The teacher will guide students through logging in to Code.org each day and navigating to the correct lesson(s).

**CLASS SESSION FOCUS TOPICS:
- Lesson 1: Sequencing (Part 1)
- Lesson 2: Sequencing (Part 2)
- Lesson 3: Loops/Repeats
- Lesson 4: Events (Creating Games)

Although all topics above will be covered in each class section, the exact sets of puzzles from the Code.org course may vary from section to section, depending on the abilities and interests of the learners.

**TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
- A laptop or desktop computer is REQUIRED for coding in this class. (No tablets, please! Some Code.org puzzles do not work properly on tablets.)
- The teacher will create Code.org accounts for the learners and provide login information that will apply to this class ONLY.

**PARENTAL HELP REQUIRED: Students at this young age very often need adult assistance using a computer. Since this is a virtual, online class, the teacher is obviously not present in the same room as the learner. The parent/guardian MUST be available during the entire class time to partner with the teacher and assist the learner as needed - setting up devices, logging in to Code.org, finding the correct puzzles in the Code.org menu, and occasionally assisting learners with solving code puzzles. Please expect to be at your learner’s side (off-camera) for the first 5-10 minutes of class to make sure they understand how to get started. If you see the learner is able to work independently with the teacher’s instructions, feel free to leave the room after 5-10 minutes. Please continue to be available in your home in case the learner needs to ask questions. PDF instructions will be sent to parents after enrolling explaining how to set up devices for the learner.