Send me your student name and grade, and I will add them. kvanalst@sjcisd.org
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Codecademy - Free basic courses in computer science. Paid subscription optional; subscription unlocks members only content, study-plans, real-world projects and community support.
***Scratch
Tynker - Coding site targeted for ages 5+. Includes a complete coding curriculum, automatic assessments, and classroom management tools
Code Avengers (5-12)
This New Zealand based site provides courses focusing on game design, C++, HTML, Python, and more, available in multiple languages. Offering material for a wide range of ages and experience levels, this site is a great choice for all coders!
*CodeCombat (6+; Browser)
This is for those kids with an adventurer’s heart! Through CodeCombat, students learn real programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and HTML while solving fun puzzles in an adventure-combat type game.
Codemoji (5-8)
Targeted at kids age 6-12, Codemoji.com is a unique site where kids can learn the foundations of coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Using drag-and-drop emojis, kids will be able to work through beginner, intermediate, and advanced level beginner courses to further their understanding of coding concepts and how to use them.
CodeMonkey (8+)
As a beginner-friendly coding game, CodeMonkey gives kids the opportunity to learn real-world programming languages and basic computer science concepts by following the adventures of a cute little monkey!
CodeWars (ages vary)
CodeWars is a gamified way to compete with other programmers. This is your kid’s chance to work on challenging programming problems alongside other programmers.
Khan Academy (ages vary)
One of the original free online-learning institutions, with step-by-step video tutorials, kids can learn to program using JavaScript and ProcessingJS, or learn to create webpages using HTML and CSS with content designed specifically to help new coders.
Perfect for elementary students, this platform uses drag and
drop programming and then advances to JavaScript and Swift programming with various games.
*Lightbot (9+)
Using fun and visually engaging puzzles, kids can get a chance to practice sequencing, conditionals, recursive loops, and more. By issuing commands to navigate a robot through various stages and solving challenges, kids can learn to code in a kid-friendly environment.
RoboCode (5+)
Ever heard of robot fighting? Well here is a cool alternative! RoboCode lets kids build a robot in Java or .NET in order to compete against other robots.
*Scratch (8-16)
As a programming language that has already touched the lives of millions of children, Scratch is a great tool for beginner programmers. Scratch offers block-based visual programming that is both simple-to-learn and very flexible.
Algorithm City (8+; Android)
Algorithm City is a 3D style game where kids can learn the basic concepts of coding, such as command sequencing, functions and loops, and more. Make a character progress by collecting gold and solving levels.
Cargo Bot (4+; iOS/Android)
Students can learn to sequence with this app by choosing the preset actions of their robotic arm and putting them in the right order. These challenges can help students to think concisely and find the simplest solution to a given problem.
Codea (13+; iOS)
A fully customizable code editor, Codea allows users to introduce all the colors and visual aids they may desire to assist in their programming efforts. It’s a free coding for kids app that lets your child turn thoughts into interactive creations.
CodeKarts (4+; iOS/Android)
A pre-coding game for preschoolers, players learn to develop observational skills, concentration, and logic by guiding a car through various tracks.
Coding Safari (2+; iOS)
With a focus on pre-coding skills like problem-solving, decomposition, and computational thinking, Coding Safari is engaging and educational for children as young as two years old!
CodeSpark Academy (5-9; iOS/Android/ Kindle Fire/Windows)
With over 1,000 fun activities and a simple-to-use interface, CodeSpark Academy is the perfect app to introduce kids ages 5-9 to coding.
Daisy the Dinosaur (5-7; iOS)
This app teaches basic coding concepts like sequencing and conditionals in the form of fun little challenges. Make Daisy the dinosaur move, jump, and dance with drag and drop commands as kids experiment and learn.
DCoder (ages vary; iOS/Android)
DCoder is a mobile code compiler. This app is meant for more experienced individuals who are looking for fast and easy ways to compile and run their code on the go!
Grasshopper (ages vary; iOS/Android)
This app, created by Google, teaches JavaScript through mini-games and offers two courses: one for brand new coders and another for more advanced coders. For beginners, the app will take you through a set of slides explaining the basics of coding followed by a short quiz to review and improve understanding.
Hopscotch (4-11; iOS)
Create games, art, stories, and more with kid-friendly programming. Kids can code and publish unique creations to Hopscotch’s fully moderated community, where others can play and learn from their creations.
With scalability, from drag-and-drop programming to coding with JavaScript and Swift, Kodable is ideal for a wide range of students.
LEGO Boost (7-12+; iOS/Android)
Lego Boost is an app that allows kids to build different Lego models and program them with code. Children can program their models to make sounds and move using drag and drop code.
Mimo (15+; iOS)
Mimo puts the power to learn in your child’s hands! With over 23 different courses to choose from and comprehensive lessons, Mimo enables kids of any age to begin coding and advance their skills.
Move the Turtle (6-12; iOS)
Using visually engaging graphics, kids can implement various programming concepts to direct a virtual turtle and complete unique tasks.
Rox’s Secret Code (5-8; iOS)
Kids can explore the basic principles of coding with this app by helping Rox, a code whiz, debug a “Chorebot” that was programmed to help clean her room, but begins acting out on its own.
Run Marco (6-12; iOS)
This game uses simple commands like “move one step forward” and “repeat” to help students learn how to sequence a set of actions. Children will learn to modify their code to complete the task at hand, as well as design their own levels.
Scratch Jr. (5-7; iOS/Android/Kindle Fire/ChromeBook)
With ScratchJr., children ages 5-7 can program interactive stories and games to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.
SoloLearn: Learn to Code (ages vary; iOS/Android)
Aimed at older students, SoloLearn offers a list of programming languages like C, C++, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Python. The course starts off with the basic foundations of each language and builds as you proceed through levels. Kids can even compare their skills in head-to-head challenges with others.
Swift Playgrounds (8-12; iOS)
Swift is a programming language for developing Apple iOS programs and apps. Especially useful for beginner programmers (even those with no Swift experience) Swift Playgrounds lets kids work at their own paces with visually appealing and educational challenges.
Tynker (7+; iOS/Android/Chromebook)
With thousands of learning modules, Tynker allows kids to start at the most appropriate level for their experience and age. From voice instructions and drag-and-drop coding to real-world programming with languages such as JavaScript and Python, Tynker can be an aid to anyone seeking to start their coding journey.