BBC Learning - What Is Coding.mp4

Coding is a specific language, a series of commands that tells a computer what to do.

In short: coding programs a computer to act in ways predetermined by you, the user.

But there are more ways of acquiring this knowledge than by sitting in front of a screen. In

fact, the real building blocks of coding are found in critical thinking, sorting information,

mapping routes between endpoints, and in helping children break down large problems

into smaller mini-puzzles that they can think through logically.

What You'll Need:

Let's Go Code Activity Set Games

Next Steps:

With your entire group, begin by building a simple maze: Arrange four mats of any color in any configuration, as shown in the image below. Place a start arrow on the first mat, pointing the correct way into the maze. Place a robot to mark the end point—the goal is to get to the robot. Step by step, move through the maze, calling out the commands that correspond to your movements:

“Forward (1), forward (2), turn left (3), forward (4).”

Then, lay out the four matching coding cards (see image below) in proper sequence, explaining that they mirror the path you just made through the maze. Make sure children understand that to turn means to pivot in the direction shown, not to take a step. Continue with another maze—this time, lay out the coding cards before moving through the maze. Let children call out each movement shown on the cards, in sequence, before you perform the corresponding command

Don't forget to use your Question & Encouragement Prompts. You can see them by clicking the arrow v on the right side of these words.

Keep Going:

Divide the students into small groups. Each student within the group can have the following job (or combination of jobs) and then rotate each time they redo the maze.

Engineer (Designs the maze)
Coder (Lays out the steps for the Mover to get through the Maze)
Caller (Calls out the steps for the Mover to take)
Mover (Goes through the maze with the directions given to them by the caller)

For beginning builders start with a small number, like 5 or 6. They can build the maze in almost any configuration, as long as the path has a distinct start (arrow) and end (robot).

The coder calls out the commands shown on the coding cards, one by one, to get the mover to the end. Was it a successful collaboration?

If the path was coded incorrectly, students can work to identify the error. They should then swap out incorrect coding cards for correct cards, and start over again, working to complete the maze from the beginning.
Integrate gears, springs, and Xs into any maze to stretch critical thinking skills. Place these special objects over any mat:

PRO TIP!

Always remember to place an arrow at the start of a maze. Point the arrow in the direction you want the player to move first.