How to teach one Hour of Code with your class
Join the movement and introduce a group of students to their first hour of computer science with these steps. The Hour of Code is easy to run - even for beginners.
Take a look at our participation guide if you still have questions.
Take a look at our participation guide if you still have questions.
1. Watch this how-to video
2. Choose a tutorial for your hour
We provide a variety of fun, student-guided tutorials for all age groups and experience levels. Students do the activities on their own, though many activities include lesson plans for teachers (you'll see the link when you click the activity) to guide discussion or extend the activity.
3. Plan your technology needs - computers are optional
The best Hour of Code experience includes Internet-connected computers. But you don’t need a computer for every child, and you can even do the Hour of Code without a computer at all.
Make sure to test tutorials on student computers or devices to ensure they work properly on browsers with sound and video. Have low bandwidth? Plan to show videos at the front of the class, so each student isn't downloading their own videos. Or try the unplugged / offline tutorials.
Provide headphones for your class, or ask students to bring their own, if the tutorial you choose works best with sound.
Don't have enough devices? Use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and rely less on the teacher. They’ll also see that computer science is social and collaborative.
Make sure to test tutorials on student computers or devices to ensure they work properly on browsers with sound and video. Have low bandwidth? Plan to show videos at the front of the class, so each student isn't downloading their own videos. Or try the unplugged / offline tutorials.
Provide headphones for your class, or ask students to bring their own, if the tutorial you choose works best with sound.
Don't have enough devices? Use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and rely less on the teacher. They’ll also see that computer science is social and collaborative.
4. Start your Hour of Code off with an inspiring speaker or video
It’s okay if both you and your students are brand new to computer science. Here are some ideas to introduce your Hour of Code activity:
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5. Code!
Direct students to the activity
- Write the tutorial link on a whiteboard. Find the link listed on the information for your selected tutorial under the number of participants.
- “I don’t know. Let’s figure this out together.”
- “Technology doesn’t always work out the way we want.”
- “Learning to program is like learning a new language; you won’t be fluent right away.”
- Students can see all tutorials and try another Hour of Code activity.
- Or, ask students who finish early to help classmates who are having trouble with the activity.
6. Celebrate
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