Assessment (2 minutes)

Ask students to add their “Whip Around” sticky notes or note cards to your "Computer Science" mind map on their way out the door. Try to populate the board with lots of great ideas about what CS is and why it matters.

Getting Started (5 minutes)

Setting the Stage

Welcome students to class and very briefly introduce the day’s activity.

Say: “Today we’re going to spend one hour learning to code. Has anyone here heard the term “code” before? What does it mean?”

Students might mention that a “code” is like a secret message, or that it’s related to computers in some way.

Explain that in computer science, “code” means a set of instructions that a computer can understand. Let students know that today, they are going to practice “coding,” “programming” and “debugging”.

Define: Coding means to write code, or to write instructions for a computer. - Programming, similarly, means to write code or instructions. Today, you will program with blocks on the computer (if you’re using an online tutorial) or with pen and paper (if you’re using an unplugged activity). - Debugging means to check code for mistakes and try to fix errors.

Ask students to name some jobs they have heard of that are related to coding. Students might mention things such as “programmer”, “computer scientist”, “software developer,” or “engineer”. Capture student responses on your “Computer Science” board, making a mind map of the information your students share.

Say: “You’re right, folks! There are no right or wrong answers here...just about any job these days involves some sort of knowledge of code. While there are many, many careers that require some knowledge of coding, learning to code is something anyone can do. And we’re going to do it today. The things we’re going to do today may not seem immediately like those, but everything you learn today could lead into making the next Angry Birds or Twitter.”

Activity (30-45 minutes)

Challenge your students to complete the Code with Anna and Elsa tutorial.

Depending on the age and ability of your students, you might consider:

• For younger students, we suggest you break your class into pairs or very small groups (three to four students each) and ask each group to work together to complete the tutorial using pair programming. Students in grades K-5 may struggle with the mathematics in the tutorial (it requires a basic understanding of angle measurement). If your students are on the younger side, consider delivering the supplementary lesson plan, "The Drawing Machine" to introduce the basics before you facilitate your Hour of Code.
• For older students, we find that working independently on tutorials works well. Sometimes it helps to allow students to choose their own tutorial. If students aren't interested in Frozen, they can get a similar experience with the Write Your First Computer Program tutorial.
• For adult learners, Code with Anna and Elsa works extremely well either as an independent challenge or a pair programming activity.

If a group or individual finishes early, they can attempt another tutorial by visiting code.org/learn.

Wrap Up (5 minutes)

Debrief

Give each student a few sticky notes or notecards. Facilitate a quick “Whip Around” activity:

• Pose a prompt that has multiple answers such as “Share back something you really liked about the Hour of Code activity you completed” or “Share some skills you learned today."
• Have students write down as many responses as possible, one idea per sticky note or note card. “Whip” around the room, calling on one student at a time. Have students share one of their responses. When called on, students should not repeat a response; they must add something new.
• After completing the whip around, have students discuss which ideas and themes showed up most in their responses.

Celebrate

Explain that you are spending one hour coding today, because this week is CS Education Week, and millions of other students across the globe have also been learning one Hour of Code this week. Congratulate students on being part of this world wide movement.

Give each student a certificate with his or her name on it.

Next Steps

Let students know that if they enjoyed today’s activity, they have many options for continuing to code. Encourage students to visit code.org/learn for a list of options, or, if you’re planning any of the extension activities that follow, tell students what’s coming next in your classroom.

Extended Learning

Beyond an Hour of Code

After your Hour of Code ends, there are many ways to continue teaching computer science in your K-5 classroom. Here are some ideas:

• Teach the Code Studio Computer Science Fundamentals courses. These four courses are designed for young learners. Students work their way through a series of puzzles that teach them to code, and educators have access to engaging lesson plans that help make the learning coming alive. Code.org offers free professional development for these courses, online or in-person.
• Research some of the careers in coding you identified today. Find resources on planning career research projects on Sharemylesson.com.
• Invite a computer science expert to talk to your class about his or her work. Don’t know any local computer scientists? Try signing up for a virtual classroom visit through Code.org’s and Skype's Guest Speakers in Computer Science program.