Starting Coding this New Year:

A Guide for Primary School Teachers

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to embrace new opportunities and introduce different skills into your classroom. Coding, often considered complex and intimidating, is an exciting and accessible way to empower your students with critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. If you’ve ever felt unsure about teaching coding, this guide is here to help you take the first steps confidently.

Why Teach Coding?

Besides the fact that it's on the UK curriculum, coding is more than just a trendy skill; it's a gateway to essential 21st-century competencies. Through coding, students can develop:

  • Problem-Solving Skills: Breaking down challenges into smaller, more manageable tasks.
  • Logical Thinking: Understanding cause-and-effect relationships in a digital environment.
  • Creativity: Experimenting with new concepts and approaches to create solutions.

Primary school children are naturally curious and enjoy experimenting with new ideas which makes coding a fantastic addition to the curriculum and your classroom.

Getting started...

  • Use Kid-Friendly Tools: Children learn best when they engage with tools designed for their age group. Platforms like Rainforest Coding offer an experience that’s tailored for younger learners. Through vibrant games and adventures, the students will learn coding concepts without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Start Small: Begin with simple formats, such as sequencing and pattern recognition. Programs that offer activities or games that progress in difficulty as the children develop their skills are best. 
  • Use Resources: The best part is you don’t need to be a coding expert to teach it effectively. Rainforest Coding provides lesson plans, how-to videos, and help sheets, saving you time.
  • Promote Collaboration: Coding projects are a great opportunity for teamwork. Platforms where students can work together will enhance their technical coding abilities, but also build their communication and social skills. Rainforest Coding provides additional task sheets for every module that the children can work through in pairs or groups.

Overcoming Common Challenges:

  • New to coding?
    That’s ok! Rainforest Coding, like many platforms, is designed to be user-friendly for teachers and students alike. Learn alongside your students; your enthusiasm for exploring something new will inspire them. 
  • Access to technology
    If devices are limited, consider children working in groups. Note that Rainforest Coding     can be easily accessed in school and at home, via one school login for all students, so you can set coding as homework too.
  • Limited budget
    If funds are tight opt for a low-cost solution. Rainforest Coding offers exactly that - a whole school annual subscription is only £179 (plus VAT) and you can even have a 14-day free trial first to test it out with your students.

Make Coding your New Year’s Resolution

This year, take the leap and introduce coding to your classroom. Rainforest Coding is a Scratch and Scratch Junior block coding program aimed at primary school children. Try it and unlock a world of potential for your students. A lesson using Rainforest Coding can spark a child’s interest and build their confidence, as well as yours! 

Happy New Year! Happy Coding!

If you want to start your journey into scratch coding and see where it can take you, or if you want more information or a 14-day trial of Rainforest Coding, click here: RainforestCoding - Coding Games for Kids