Google has just released a new unplugged set of activities for Hour of Code 2020, a celebration of Computer Science Education Week which started on December 7!
Hour of Code™ activities may look different in 2020 for many educators, students, and families, so to support a variety of learning environments, we’ve created a free new lesson that can be used completely offline and without a computer. CS First Unplugged includes a printable booklet that contains three computational thinking activities in which students (grades 4-8) learn about how computer science helps us communicate and stay connected with people around the world.
For those looking to participate in Hour of Code with a connected device, CS First’s Dialogue lesson is a great one to engage with this year. This beginner-friendly activity includes video-based instruction to guide students as they program a conversation between two characters. They’ll use Scratch, a block-based coding language, to animate and bring their story to life with movement, dialogue and more.
CS First Unplugged and Dialogue are both available in English and Spanish. Lesson plans and solution guides for educators (or parents and guardians!) are provided so that anyone can teach and learn with Hour of Code™ — no prior CS experience required.
You can review our digital lesson plans and materials for educators here.
We’d love your help spreading the word, sharing the activities, and helping youth — especially those with limited access to devices or internet — take part in this year’s Hour of Code. Please consider:
- Posting on social media. Below is a sample social post that you can customize.
- Retweeting about Hour of Code and CS First.
- Share the sample newsletter blurb below as an email, or add it to your organization’s next newsletter.
Thank you, and happy CS Education Week!