Family Code Night

Join millions of classrooms around the world December 5 - 11 as they celebrate and highlight an hour of code in the classroom. To find out more go to the Hour of Code website at https://hourofcode.com/us

There are a lot of free resources across multiple grade levels as well on the code.org website.

Last year, in many of our schools, the Hour of Code was worked into students computer lab specials rotation but I have also seen it worked into science lab times, as well as during math blocks.

Recently I found out about a website dedicated to helping schools host a Family Code Night. You can sign up for a free family code night event kit on their site and use that as a tech night focus.

Since the Hour of Code runs in December consider combining it with a holiday night with families (getting the PTO involved to serve cookies and hot chocolate). At a recent conference, I heard of one school hosting a Tech the Halls night where teachers decorated the halls with a technology theme. This would be fun to do in conjunction with a Family Code Night, with parents and students voting for the best decorated hall/wall. A school that I have worked with in the past has also set up green screen areas during a family holiday event where families can have their holiday picture taken with a fun winter themed background (someone suggested working with Walgreens or a local print shop to see if they would offer discounts on reprints of the pictures).

However you choose to recognize an Hour Code know that there are a lot of resources, activities, and lesson plans online so even if you aren't an expert...they will help you look like one!

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