Next week is Computer Science Week. Students at Haycock will have the opportunity to learn more about computer programming--whether they're a novice or a seasoned veteran. The Hour of Code is promoted by Code.org, in an effort to "demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts."

Last year, nearly every student in the school participated in Hour of Code during the month of December for a grand total of 783 hours spent learning about computer programming! Here are some resources that they can explore at home if they'd like to continue what they do here at school:

• Hour of Code: The folks at Code.org have cultivated a directory of many different activities that are leveled by experience from Beginner to Comfortable and by age level. Check them out: hourofcode.com
• Lightbot: This site is really geared toward younger learners, but the later levels can get quite complex. Check it out at: lightbot.com. The folks at Lightbot have two different mobile apps (Lightbot & Sprite) for both Android and iOS devices. I've tinkered with both, and they're a lot of fun!
• FCPS's Hour of Code: Other teachers in FCPS have created a resource page for Hour of Code. It has a lot of activities broken down by recommended age. To check out these links, visit Hour of Code Google Site. Your student will need to login with their FCPS Google Apps credentials in order to access this site:
  • Username: [student ID number]@fcpsschools.net
  • Password: the network password that they use at school.
  • If you need this information, please contact your child's teacher (grades K-3). Students in grades 4-6 create their own passwords. We've encouraged them to share them with you at home, as we have not made a record of them here at school.
• Code.org's website allows students to create accounts using their Google credentials, but it requires parental permission to do so. To provide that permission for use at school, please print and sign this permission slip. Learn more about Code.org's privacy policy & how they secure student data on their website: Privacy Policy. Grades K-3 have had basic accounts created to save course progress from week to week in technology lab classes. Last year's Haycock students have been "promoted" to their new classes, preserving progress. They can access their class's link on our website's Coding Resources page. The only information provided to the site for accounts is:
  • First name and last initial
  • Teacher's name & grade level
  • Our school

If you have any questions or concerns about how your students will be learning the basics of computer programming here in school, please contact our Technology Specialist, Ben James via email at @email.