This document provides an introduction to coding and the Codesters coding platform. It explains that coding is a fundamental literacy that impacts how we understand the world, and that coding allows students to be creative problem solvers. The document then outlines the core reasons for teaching coding, including critical thinking, literacy, citizenship, and career opportunities. It introduces the Codesters coding environment and how it allows students to get feedback on their programs. Students are then instructed to create their first program and share it with others. The document encourages signing up for a free Codesters account and walking through creating a screen name and accessing lesson plans to understand how the platform works from both a student and teacher perspective.

1. Welcome!

2. The way we deliver a set of instructions to a computer.
A fundamental literacy that impacts the way we see and
understand the world around us.
Coding is...
The way we write programs and apps that we use
everyday.
A fun, creative, challenging way for students to tell stories
and solve problems.

3. 4 Core Reasons
1. Critical Thinking: Students who code are problem
solvers.
2. Literacy: Coding is a tool to explore any subject.
3. Citizenship: To understand the world around them.
4. Equity and Access: 1 million unfilled tech jobs in the next
decade. And, increasingly, tech jobs are all jobs.
Why teach coding?

4. Our Coding Environment
YouTube not
working?

5. How does it work?
● Drag-to-text toolkit
● Automatic Feedback
○ Does my program run?
○ Does my program do
what I want it to do?
● Toolkit provides scaffolding
and structure. Students:
USE → MODIFY → CREATE

6. My First Project
Let’s get you started with your first program!

7. Get Coding!
● Take five minutes to explore the platform a bit and write your first
Codesters program.
● Try to meet these goals:
○ Choose a stage background.
○ Create a sprite.
○ Give your sprite some actions.
○ Use say commands to have your sprite introduce
you.
● When you’re finished, share your program with someone at your table.
● Find anything cool? Share it. Wanting to see something that’s not there?
Ask about it.

8. Share and Feedback
Talk within your groups:
● What did you find?
● What did you wish you had found?
● What would you want to add to this experience for your
students?

9. If you haven’t already
done so, sign up here:
www.codesters.com/
signup/IPPD
Click Sign Up

10. If you have a Google account:
● Great - no new passwords
to remember!
OR Use another email
address:
● Enter your Email and
Create a password.
Choose Your Login Pathway

11. Choose a Screen Name
● Enter your Organization
Name
● Choose a screen name.
● Your screen name WILL be
visible to your students.

12. You’re In!
● Click Skip to Start Coding
● Note the question mark and
support button. You can
use those to get more
information anytime.

13. Meta-Model Lesson
● Watch the toolkit video
● Try out a lesson!
● Think like a student; think
like a teacher.
● What’s easy? What’s
difficult?
● How would you manage this
class?