Sarah Phelps, an educator with a strong background in elementary education and computer science, emphasizes the importance of teaching programming to children due to the impending shortage of qualified computer science professionals. She outlines various programming tools and resources for different age groups, highlighting the benefits of early programming education in promoting problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration among students. Phelps also encourages community involvement through initiatives like volunteering and hosting family coding events.

1. Teaching Kids to
Program
Sarah Phelps
Follow me on Twitter!
@mrsphelpscodes

3. My background
Then:
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education
Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction
4th grade general education teacher from 2008-2016
After school science and math enrichment program coordinator
Now:
2-5 computer science teacher district wide (~550 students)

4. Why teach programming to children?
By the year 2020, there will be more than 1.4 million
computer programming jobs, but currently, US growth
rate project the US will only provide 400,000 computer
science students to fill those jobs. (Source: US Bureau of
Labor and Statistics)

5. Programming ideas can be applied to math, reading, and English concepts.
They address many Common Core and NGSS standards including-
Problem solving
Computational thinking
Critical thinking
Art and design
Engineering
Coding encourages collaboration, communication, and creativity!
Early introduction reduces the barriers often associated with getting kids

6. Pre-readers/Emergent readers
Kids can start learning how to program even before they learn how to read!
Offline
Robot Turtles
Code-a-pillar
Code and Go Robot Mouse
Online/Apps
Kodable
Tynker

7. Elementary (K-5 students)
Code.org
Start with an Hour of Code
FREE, high quality curriculum
Block coding
4 courses that teach computer science fundamentals such as algorithms, loops, conditionals,
etc.
Pair programming suggested
Code Combat
Game based

8. LEGO WeDo 2.0 and Mindstorms
STEM projects
Students build and program using a simplified block coding
Student design, test, and modify creations using the engineering design
process
Highly engaging

9. Robots
Ozobot- No computer necessary, color based code/block coding optional
(http://ozobot.com/)
Dot and Dash (https://www.makewonder.com/)
Sphero (http://www.sphero.com/ )
Finch (http://finchrobot.com/)
Cozmo (https://anki.com/en-us/cozmo)

10. Building Games
Help your kids realize that consuming technology is not the only option!
Bloxels
Physical game set to develop characters and levels
Free app where design and sharing takes place
Scratch (Creative Computing)
Free curriculum related to game development OR
Trade book guides to game development

11. Middle School (4-8)
Scratch
Block based
Project library
Code Academy
Free
Beginner level- multiple language
Khan Academy
Intro to JavaScript

12. Embedded Projects
Adafruit
Sparkfun
Instructables
Maker Shed
littlebits

13. Call to action!
Introduce your own children
Volunteer at a local organization (library, Boys and Girls Club, etc.)
Establish a Coder Dojo
Push for change at your local school district
Hold a Family Code Night

14. Kansas City Kids Conference (KC)2
Come hang out with me at KCDC for the first ever Kansas
City Kids Conference!
Free family STEM conference August 5 following KCDC
from 10:00-2:00.

15. Contact me with any questions!
Sarah Phelps
@mrsphelpscodes
sphelps5136@gmail.com