Coder Academy: Are you ready for the challenge?

This is a step-by-step guide to simple coding, starting from the very basics of how coding works to increasingly complex tasks and challenges. The basics of binary and coding languages are briefly and clearly explained at the start of the book. Tasks and challenges are interesting and build skills well. Generally, each task has a planning element away from the computer before tackling the coding task, mainly using Scratch. Each task is supported by clear and colourful illustrations. Instructions are easy to follow, although accuracy in copying and typing lists of code is required. Tasks include: creating and animating a character; writing and playing a tune using Scratch 2.0; programming a robot; and designing a simple game and website. This book could be used in a number of ways. It is clearly designed for use by an individual child, but activities could be adapted by teachers to use with a class or smaller groups of children. The balance between in-class and computer activities is good. Children more experienced with computing might find these tasks lacking in challenge, meaning this book is more suitable for those less experienced or just starting out with coding. This book could also prove useful to teachers or parents without a computing background who might want to learn a bit more about coding themselves. Includes A2 poster on careers in computing and press-out robot models (card). 64 pages / Suitable for 6-9 year olds, dependent on coding experience / Reviewed by Paul Gormley, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 7+

If you are looking for activities to get children thinking about coding, Coder Academy is a good place to start. Unlike many other books, it is focused on the child with stickers and press out models for them to make as well as the coding activities themselves, which is what we were interested in. There is a useful, simple introduction to what coding is, how to 'think like a coder', and the coding programmes although the section on Binary Basics had us stumped.... The main activities are focused around Scratch and guide the child through different operations, from 'Make a sprite dance' to creating and animating a character, and designing and coding an instrument. Some of the sections begin with pen-and-paper activities for the child to complete before they begin work on the coding, for example, drawing a character or a musical instrument. Once they begin on the coding to apply their design work, each activity is accompanied by step by step instructions with clear images showing what the options will look like on the computer screen. So it's a really useful step-by-step coding operation, with real outcomes that the child will be able to see on the screen. Although the steps are broken down and kept as simple as possible, beginner children will need plenty of adult support. Speaking as an adult with very little knowledge of coding, the step by step instructions are invaluable but I also think an adult with a better knowledge of coding could probably tease much more out of these activities than I did. Even so, this is a really useful guide - for adults as well as children! - into the world of coding. 64 pages / Ages 7-10 years / Reviewed by Alison Hall.

Suggested Reading Age 7+