Meet Michael, a creative young man learning to code at CodeWizardsHQ whose hard work and dedication has led him to be our Student of the Month!

“I think coding is going to be just as important as learning to read and write English.  It will be a universal skillset.”

– Michael’s Parents

Michael’s Standout Projects:

Standout Badger Projects: Here’s a project Michael made in scratch he did on his own prior to starting our coding classes.

Badger Clicker

Standout Homework Projects: Here are some projects that were from class projects or homework that he customized into Badger projects.

Badger quiz and, of course, he made a Badger Wiki (on his own) so we know about the kinds of badgers there are.

Pray to the Badger Shrine is his take on the Robot AI project from our middle school Python course.

Badger Foosball

Pop the Badger from our fruit ninja project.

Michael’s CodeWizardsHQ Journey

It is quite special when you get to meet a kid like Michael. When asked about learning to code he said “I decided to learn coding over other activities because coding is more fun and you can learn a lot more than other activities.  I like that you can create your own games using coding languages.” The majority of kids don’t make the connection between learning to code and creating the games they play. More so, at such a young age, this young gentleman can already see how coding has helped him in life, “such as being ahead of my class in a coding elective, it can help me in college, and it amazes my family and friends.”

It is easy to see Michael’s ability to plan where the coding skills he is learning now through CodeWizardsHQ, will take him in the future.

“I might want to become a video game designer or work at a video game company.” We believe that is possible because of our firm curriculum and the real-world experience we give our students. CodeWizardsHQ students not only become part of a community that requires dedication, participation, and perseverance, but also our comprehensive program “teaches you many coding languages, they explain the coding, and they help you when you have errors.”

Our classes are three words for Michael “fun, challenging, and badgers”. The latter is an inside joke, that we are yet to be privy too, maybe we can get his teacher to give us the scoop! It is in fact one of his favorite projects, the Badger Profile, and one of the reasons why he appreciated his teacher so much!  “I like my CodeWizardsHQ teacher because she is nice, she explains everything, she likes badgers, and she helps us a lot.”

Questions for Michael’s Parents

Q. How did you find out about CodeWizardsHQ? 

Google search for coding classes for kids.

Q. Do you have a specific experience or story you’d like to share that your student has shared related to your classes at CWHQ? 

Michael has always had an interest in coding.  When his coding teacher said his skills were advanced, Michael and I felt very proud. It was very encouraging to know that the time he has spent learning to code has paid off.  

Q. How do you think coding is going to impact your family in the future? 

I think coding is going to be just as important as learning to read and write English.  It will be a universal skillset.

Q. What goals or dreams do you have around coding for your children? 

I hope that if Michael continues to have a passion for coding, he will be able to either find a career in it or enhance another career in a similar field.

Q. Do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code? 

Yes.  I think coding will become almost as universal as learning English.

Q. What is your favorite aspect of working with CodeWizardsHQ? 

I like the formal education you provide.

Q. Would you recommend CodeWizardsHQ to other families interested in coding? 

Yes

Q. How has learning to code impacted your child? 

Michael is expanding his skill set and creating more elaborate programs.

Q. Has the coding experience been the same or different for your second student? 

Michael’s younger brother doesn’t have the same passion for coding, but still enjoys participating in an activity together.

Here is what Michael’s Teacher, Sheena, had to say about him:

“Michael is a very bright and extremely creative student. He always goes above and beyond on each of his assignments and makes them into a new variation on his “Badger” theme! The Badgers are an extensive series of original artworks created by Michael, which he features regularly in his coding projects. Since his Badger characters are a strong interest of his, it’s amazing to see him actively leverage his interests and channel them directly into his projects, which keeps him highly focused and engaged when coding. I’m always excited to see what he will create. It’s a pleasure having him as a student, and I’m always happy to encourage him to go as far as he can imagine with his coding projects.”

Sheena Griffin, CodeWizardsHQ Teacher

At CodeWizardsHQ, Our Students Are
Our Top Priority.

We are lucky to have Michael and his family as a part of our community!

Interested in learning to code this summer? 
See our summer classes and coding camps for kids.

Level up your child’s learning experience. Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:
Elementary School Coding Program, Middle School Coding Program, High School Coding Program

The post Student Spotlight: Michael D. appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

About Teacher Spotlight: The concept of “students first” is at the heart of everything we are and do at CodeWizardsHQ. We know students learn best when they interact with a talented teacher. We conscientiously hand-select the very best coding teachers, ultimately hiring only the top 2% of applicants. Every month, we go behind the scenes to tell you more about one of our amazing teachers. This month, we bring you, Jeff Kish!

Jeff began teaching at CodeWizardsHQ in 2020. He has a background supporting classrooms and teachers. He stands out a teacher deeply vested in learning pedagogies!

Q.  Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code? 

When a student commits to ‘learning to code’ they, by default, will begin learning skills that will help them no matter what industry they decide on.  Coding involves critical thinking, creativity, communication, and connectedness. These skills will aid the student in any career they choose.

Q. What inspired you to learn to code?

Pounding keys on our Vic 20 and Commodore 64, it blew my mind that I could input some stuff and then play the game I just created.

Q. If you could have one teacher super-power, what would it be?

A power to be able to build a trusting relationship with each and every student.  Once a relationship is built, the student believes in you and wants to work hard to excel.

Q. What is your favorite teaching story? Or What is the funniest story you have from your kids in coding classes?

My favorite teaching story is every time I hear a student voice out that ‘a ha’ moment… You realize at that moment it all makes sense to them and that you helped in the process.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of teaching kids at CodeWizardsHQ? or What do you enjoy most about teaching kids?

It’s inspiring to see students start the coding sessions with very little confidence and then build relationships with the teacher and classmates to really start to enjoy the curriculum and their friends.

Q. What is your vision for the future of coding and kids?

Having been in many schools with our company, I see that schools are not setup to prepare students for the pace of technology.  That is why companies, like CodeWizardsHQ, are needed to help prepare the leaders of tomorrow. 

Languages and syntax will come and go, some will get refined, and there will always be ‘legacy’ systems. The economy will continue to be more automated and ‘code-driven’. Sensors will grow as well as coding the sensors to communicate with each other. Artificial Intelligence will make a big impact on most, if not all industries.

Q. When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing (hobbies)?

I enjoy being on the water and building. I can oftentimes be seen wake-boarding, surfing, windsurfing, home improvement, and also building our company’s software.

Q. What is the best thing you’ve built using code?

I have created a web application for our company that provides professional development for schools.  These schools will combine our Blended Learning methodologies with the software to transform their classroom from traditional to a Blended Learning setup.

Q. How has learning to code positively impacted your life? 

Coding has created patience and discipline in my life.  Good or bad… I will process most decisions much further than they need to be!

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post Teacher Spotlight: Jeff Kish appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Meet Zane, a creative young man learning to code at CodeWizardsHQ whose hard work and dedication has led him to be our Student of the Month!

“We like that it is instructor-led and that there is an established curriculum and schedule. Most other online programs that we reviewed were self-study which we didn’t feel would be a good fit for Zane.”

– Zane’s Parents

Zane’s Standout Projects:

Movie Quiz

Zane’s CodeWizardsHQ Journey

In preparing for the future Zane knew the importance of coding. For a long time he had enjoyed video games so it only made sense that he would become part of the “Next Generation to Program Games”. The classes at CodeWizardsHQ have, in fact, given him insight into how coding works and this foundation will give him an upper hand in college. 

“I want to prepare for the future,” Zane underlined. In his future he sees himself joining an established team at a video game company like Valve or ID Software. 

When asked about his experience at CodeWizardsHQ and the three words that would best encapsulate his time in our program, Zane’s response was “I would choose Thoughtful, Fun, and Stressful. Thoughtful because of wonder about what I should do, fun because of all the interactions I have with my teacher and classmate, (yes, classmate xD) and stressful, because I have difficulty sometimes when trying to find the answer to coding problems.”

Although the journey hasn’t been easy in our program, learning how to code is about trying and failing and trying again. You don’t have a margin of error as he explained, “This is because you have to be completely correct with the code, otherwise, it won’t work (at least correctly).”

The community being built at CodeWizardsHQ makes all the difference. Zane was kind to note that the best part of the program were his teacher and classmates. “They are amazing people and are fun to be with. They also are really helpful when I mess up with code.”

At CodeWizardsHQ we understand that teachers have to be the real deal, because only that way can they create the rapport necessary for curiosity and excitement to flourish. Luckily, Zane’s current teacher has done just that, “Larry is a very down-to-earth kind of guy. He also is very helpful, as I said. He’s willing to use up his own time to help out Kids like me to understand coding. He also enjoys stuff like memes, which is something I can get behind.” 

Our teacher’s aim not only to teach coding but to become part of a larger community that offers mentorship, growth, and leadership to young kids. 

In our classes we believe that taking ownership empowers students to reach their full potential. When asked about his favorite project and why, Zane highlighted the exact reason we do this, “It would have to be the Quidditch Project. It was where you had to click on an object to win, but if you would like on the other object, you would lose. I decided to make it a Doom themed version of this game. It was fun to make, especially in replacing the Snitch with an Imp, and replacing the Dementor with the ICON OF SIN.”

In our community we don’t just teach code, we teach coding in a progressive tense way with everything that entails. The trips, the fails, the falls and the success, We are really happy to have you as one of our students Zane! Thank you for choosing us!

Questions for Zane’s Parents

Q. How did you find out about CodeWizardsHQ?

We found your website online via a Google search.

Q. Do you have a specific experience or story you’d like to share that your student has shared related to your classes at CWHQ?

Zane once shared with us how he was struggling to complete one of the assignments.  I shared with him that when I get into situations like this at work that I take a break and work on something else for a while and that usually helps.  After taking a break reviewing the material again at a later time, Zane was able to complete the assignment.

Q. How do you think coding is going to impact your family in the future?

It will help Zane to decide if he would like to study coding in College.

Q. What goals or dreams do you have around coding for your children?

We want to support Zane in following his interests.  Coding happens to be one of them.

Q. Do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code?

Yes, because even if Zane doesn’t decide to pursue coding as a career the skills that he learns will have value in occupations.

Q. What is your favorite aspect of working with CodeWizardsHQ?

We like that it is instructor-led and that there is an established curriculum and schedule.  Most other online programs that we reviewed were self-study which we didn’t feel would be a good fit for Zane.

Q. Would you recommend CodeWizardsHQ to other families interested in coding?

Absolutely, Zane really likes the program and we feel that the program is very high quality.

Here is what his teachers had to say about him:

“Zane’s work speaks for itself. He is a very creative student that likes to bring his interests into coding”

Larry Cherry, CodeWizardsHQ Teacher

In our community we don’t just teach code, we teach coding in a progressive tense way with everything that entails. The trips, the fails, the falls and the success, We are really happy to have you as one of our students Zane!  Thank you for choosing us!

At CodeWizardsHQ, Our Students Are Our Top Priority.

We are lucky to have Zane and his family as a part of our community!

Interested in learning to code this summer? 
See our summer classes and coding camps for kids.

Level up your child’s learning experience. Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:
Elementary School Coding Program, Middle School Coding Program, High School Coding Program

The post Student Spotlight: Zane D. appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

About Teacher Spotlight: The concept of “students first” is at the heart of everything we are and do at CodeWizardsHQ. We know students learn best when they interact with a talented teacher. We conscientiously hand-select the very best coding teachers, ultimately hiring only the top 2% of applicants. Every month, we go behind the scenes to tell you more about one of our amazing teachers. This month, we bring you, Daniel Schroeder!

Daniel began teaching at CodeWizardsHQ in 2020. He has taught a handful of classes with us. He stands out as a fun teacher.

Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code? 

Coding teaches kids how to break down complex problems into simpler ones, and that is a skill that can translate across disciplines. If done right, when kids are learning to code, they will also be learning how to think in an ordered, logical way, and that solving a problem has less to do with memorizing all of the tools than with using a few good ones well. When I was a kid, I remember dreading classes where you did rote memorization of things (multiplication tables, grammar, memorizing the periodic table), and loving the classes that challenged you to solve problems with the tools at hand (science projects, literature papers, physics). With coding, there’s no place for memorization, except for on a very basic syntax level. Once you learn to ‘speak’ in a programming language, you take those basic tools and build programs and solve problems with them, and there are usually a limitless number of solutions to the same problem. Getting comfortable early in life with formulating personal solutions to problems is vital if you ever want to be able to create anything unique or noteworthy. Even if a kid learns to code when they are young, and goes on to be something non-tech related later in life, the experience of solving problems in an ordered, logical way, with a few basic tools, will undoubtedly carry over into their work. Also, computers aren’t going anywhere, and demystifying how software is written is important if we are going to have a population that spends a large part of their day interacting with a computer. Developing a relationship with computers early in life, and how to control them through programming, can only be a win-win for kids. Often, computers can seem like magic to the layman, and the reason we call ourselves Code Wizards is because we have the power to control that magic. We also happen to believe that this power can be harnessed by anyone willing to learn, even a young kid.

What inspired you to learn to code?

I was always curious about computers and programming, but early in life I chose to pursue music, so I focused on that intensely for about 18 years. In my late 20’s, after I had finished undergraduate and master’s degrees in music, and struck out on my own to pursue a career as a freelance musician, I missed the challenges of academia, mainly, the music theory courses that I took in graduate school. These were intense analytical courses, where you broke down works of master composers and tried to understand what made them ‘tick’. I knew I didn’t want a career as an academic teaching music theory, because I dabbled in that a bit during and immediately after college, but I thought that maybe I could find another area of study where this kind of intense analytical thinking would be used. Computer science, and programming in general, was the perfect fit. I was hooked on the very first day, when I wrote a program to make a rocket ship take off (much like our students do today!) in Pascal (why I chose Pascal in the Summer of 2015 is a mystery to me to this day). It took me several hours to figure out how to get everything to work right, and to digest the syntax, but once I was able to get everything running, the feeling of pure joy was instant, and I’ve been chasing that ever since.

If you could have one teacher super-power, what would it be?

I often wish I could ‘dumb-down’ my knowledge of programming on cue so that I could remember what it was like to be exposed to a topic for the first time. Once you’ve been doing something for a while, there are all kinds of things that seem second-nature to you, but are completely overwhelming for a beginner. I’m in a good position to teach right now, as I’ve only been programming for 5 years, but keeping that relationship to what it felt like to be a newcomer gets more challenging all the time.

I also wish that I could read students’ minds and understand how they are perceiving a topic, so I could better tailor my explanation around that view. I often ask a lot of questions to a student when we are one-on-one, and then build my lesson around that. In classes, that’s harder to do, but still possible on some level. Having a window into a student’s thought process would be so valuable.

What is your favorite teaching story? Or What is the funniest story you have from your kids coding classes?

The thing that inspired me to teach coding was teaching some kids as part of a scholarship requirement for a summer coding boot camp I participated in a few years ago. They had a lesson for us to teach, but the kids weren’t enjoying it and seemed bored. It was basic coding using JavaScript, but it was all “print this, loop there, create a variable” and no real interactivity with anything, just text in a console. To save the lesson, I fired up a web browser, and pivoted to showing them how to do the in-class material in the JavaScript console, and how to change things on the webpage to whatever they wanted. They enjoyed it so much! Suddenly, they wouldn’t stop asking questions and engaging with the material. I could tell that something powerful had just happened. The kids went from bored to fascinated in like 2 seconds, and it was such a thrill.

What has been the most rewarding part of teaching kids at CodeWizardsHQ? or What do you enjoy most about teaching kids?

I’m relatively new to the team, so I’ve only taught a handful of courses, but I’m already loving the experience. I originally thought I would be more interested in teaching the older kids who were more advanced and working on stuff related to the web, which is my main area of study. I have a group that I’m doing that with now, and it’s great, but I honestly love teaching the newcomers in the beginning Scratch and Python courses just as much as the older kids. The opportunity to expose someone to coding, possibly for the first time, is thrilling and motivates me to try hard to get the material across in a way that is fun and engaging. There are so many ‘lightbulb’ moments with the young kids, where I can see and hear them starting to perceive the world in a new light, it’s so inspiring!

What is your vision for the future of coding and kids?

Honestly, I was skeptical about kids learning to code before taking this job. The kids in that one-off class I taught seemed to enjoy the process of coding, but I wasn’t sure if they could absorb the material and use it without guidance. I knew they could ‘mimic’ the teacher and all, but could they learn this stuff at such a young age? Would they be able to think creatively to solve problems? Having taught a few of the entry-level classes, I can firmly say that yes, kids can learn this stuff, and even think more creatively than the teacher! They surprise me each lesson with their insights and creativity. I’m now firmly in the camp that thinks coding should be a required subject for any child, just like Math, English, Science, etc… Exposure to computers early in life, and the thought process that goes into programming, can only be beneficial for kids, no matter what they choose to do later in life.

When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing (hobbies)?

I’m a professional musician for a living, and I code on the side, but would eventually like to flip those roles. Honestly, I love music and code, and would do both of them for free (assuming someone would pay my rent!), so my work overlaps with my hobbies. Besides music and code, I love to read. I’d say about 50% of my reading is music/code-related, and the other 50% is an even split between non-fiction (history, philosophy, pop-psychology) and fiction. A perfect day is a few hours of programming, a light gig or jam session, and a few hours with a good book or two! Also, I have the cutest dog in the world, Django, and we generally go on long adventures around New Orleans together, and spend hours playing variations of tug-o-war and fetch.

What is the best thing you’ve built using code? 

I’ve dabbled in a bunch of different areas, since coding has been more of a hobby for the past few years than a profession, so I’ve built tons of small things in different languages and areas. I spent a year at a local university taking computer science courses, and dabbled in robotics for a semester and enjoyed that. I was able to get an Arduino powered robot (BabyRat) to find its way (partially) through a maze using little echo sensors, and it was the coolest thing I’ve had a chance to work on! Other than that, I’ve just built tons of websites, and hundreds of small Codewars-style algorithm focused programs to get better as a programmer. I’m learning pygame right now, so I have a feeling that recreating the early-90’s computer games of my childhood is going to become the coolest thing I’ve built, sorry BabyRat…

How has learning to code positively impacted your life? 

With programming, I’ve found an outlet for the analytical side of my brain that I was craving throughout my teenage and early adult years. Playing music and thinking about music all day is a creative endeavor, and often the goal is to ‘let go’ of the analytical side when you are in the act of performing and rely on your instincts. With programming, I’m sure there is some of that as well, but I love sitting with hard problems for hours on end and coming up with creative solutions to solve them. I also really like the community between other programmers. Much like with musicians, if you come to another programmer with a good question, or a problem you’ve worked on but can’t find a solution to, they are almost always willing to take time out of their day to work with you and help you grow. Most programmers are always expanding their horizons, and stretching the limits of their intellect. In my case, I was getting burnt out with music after so many years, and finding this whole programming universe, where everyone is constantly pushing themselves to get better and smarter, was a godsend in my late-20’s and continues to inspire me to keep growing in my mid-30’s. I’ll never finish this journey as a programmer, just like I’ll never master the guitar, and that’s a really exciting and motivating force in my life.

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post Teacher Spotlight: Daniel Schroeder appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Meet Veronica, a fantastic young lady learning to code at CodeWizardsHQ whose hard work and dedication has led her to be our Student of the Month!

She does all of her own art for assignments using her iPad and even did a rendition of the original quiz study image shown in her standout project! 

SHE IS A TRUE ARTIST! 

“After each class, my daughter is extremely excited to show me each new project she creates. To see her enthusiasm and passion gets me just as eager for the next class.”

– Veronica’s Parents

Veronica’s Standout Projects:

I Spy Quiz

I Spy Quiz

Quiz List

What Am I to You?

Veronica’s Answers:

Q. Why did you decide to learn to code over other activities? 

Coding seemed like a really fun challenge. Like something I could do in my free time that I could just do whatever with. There definitely seems to be plenty of opportunities for creativity.

Q. Has coding ever helped you in your life? 

No, it hasn’t, but it might someday. I guess I could say it helped me get friends/attention sorta? In 5^th grade I would mess with Google and change the background color and logo, then show it to my classmates. I didn’t know a thing about coding at the time though.

Q. What do you want to do with your coding skills in the future?  

I plan to become a developer. I’ve seen other people find success in developing games and it seems like a fun thing to do! I have many ideas that I feel the need to bring to life through games! Muahaha..

Q. What are 3 words that would describe your experience learning to code? 

Fun. Limitless. Easy-ish.

Q. What is the easiest and hardest thing about coding? 

The hardest thing about coding would be remembering the right punctuation for the right line; everybody has a problem with that. The easiest thing about coding would be how HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are pretty lenient when it comes to mistakes. They try and figure the problem out themselves, which is nice.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about learning to code with CodeWizardsHQ?

It is easier to learn how to code when you have mentors there and ready to help, a thing most programs don’t have. The teachers are very kind and if you have a problem, they try and help to the best of their extent.

Q. What do you like the most about your CodeWizardsHQ teacher? 

He is a very great and funny guy who has plenty of tips outside of what the slides show. He encourages my classmates and me to let our creativity flow.

Q. What have your favorite projects been and why?

My favorite projects have been those that have let us customize said project to the fullest extent. If there is any way I can make a project/idea mine, it’s through customization.

Veronica’s Parents’ Responses:

Q. How did you find out about CodeWizardsHQ?

I did online research looking for coding classes that were specifically geared toward children, instructor led and that could be done online.

Q. How do you think coding is going to impact your family in the future?

Coding, in general, is a great way to teach skills like critical thinking and creativity. With all the technological advancements that have been and continue to be made I think my daughter is on a good path to a great career. 

Q. Do you have a specific experience or story you’d like to share that your student has shared related to your classes at CWHQ?

After each class, my daughter is extremely excited to show me each new project she creates. To see her enthusiasm and passion gets me just as eager for the next class

Q. What goals or dreams do you have around coding for your children?

I hope that if she continues to enjoy coding as much as she does now, that someday she will make a career out of it and not only benefit from such a lucrative career but also from having a job that she actually enjoys. It’s what we all strive for.

Q. Do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code?

I think that at the very least, a basic understanding of coding can be beneficial to any child. We live in a digital age with advancements in the field of technology being achieved quicker than ever before so it’s important that children understand that technology.

Q. What is your favorite aspect of working with CodeWizardsHQ?

Besides the fantastic instructors, my favorite aspect of CodeWizardsHQ is the convenience of their online classes. There are so many different programs as well as schedules to choose from and I have always received quick responses to any of my questions.

Q. Would you recommend CodeWizardsHQ to other families interested in coding?

I would highly recommend this program. I homeschool and have tried many other programs, none of which held my child’s interest as much as this program. She actually loves preparing for each of her classes.

Q. How has learning to code impacted your child?

Her eagerness and excitement for coding are very apparent. With each new course, she becomes better and more creative. She will search up new ways of making each of her projects just a little bit better and loves the challenge of it. She makes me very proud.

Here is what her teachers had to say about her:

“Veronica is a beam of sunshine and positive energy in my class. She is a talented artist and understands the importance of community and teamwork.”

CodeWizardsHQ Teacher

At CodeWizardsHQ, Our Students Are Our Top Priority.

We are lucky to have Veronica and her family as a part of our community!

Interested in learning to code this summer? 
See our summer classes and coding camps for kids.

Level up your child’s learning experience. Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:
Elementary School Coding Program, Middle School Coding Program, High School Coding Program

The post Student Spotlight: Veronica W. appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

About Teacher Spotlight: The concept of “students first” is at the heart of everything we are and do at CodeWizardsHQ. We know students learn best when they interact with a talented teacher. We conscientiously hand-select the very best coding teachers, ultimately hiring only the top 2% of applicants. Every month, we go behind the scenes to tell you more about one of our amazing teachers. This month, we bring you, Thomas Kellough!

Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code? 

I think it’s important for kids to learn to code because it promotes problem-solving that can be applied to everyday life. Coding helps you break down large problems into multiple smaller problems that can be tackled efficiently. 

What inspired you to learn to code?

As a biology major, I took my first coding class at the University of Texas at Dallas. Although I took the class for elective credit, I instantly fell in love with the coursework. Being able to think of a concept and execute it on my own created a thirst for programming knowledge that I haven’t been able to quench. 

If you could have one teacher super-power, what would it be?

I wish I could have a web of knowledge that allowed me to answer all the random questions my students ask me. 

What is your favorite teaching story? Or What is the funniest story you have from your kids coding classes?

I love it when my students apply their own unique characteristics to their projects. One of my Python classes has a set of students that always try to outdo each other by adding memes in their projects. Every class is funnier than the one before. 

What has been the most rewarding part of teaching kids at CodeWizardsHQ? or What do you enjoy most about teaching kids?

Kids take a CodeWizardsHQ course by choice, not because they have to. Being able to see them get excited by writing programs and showing their parents is very rewarding as a teacher.

What is your vision for the future of coding and kids?

Kids who learn to to code now will excel in the future because technology is only growing. Programming is built into nearly everything and having a good understanding of how the world works will promote better job opportunities and a better future for those involved. 

When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing (hobbies)?

When I’m not working I enjoy playing video games, such as Animal Crossing, skiing, hanging out with my dog and my wife, and traveling.

What is the best thing you’ve built using code? 

One of my favorite things I’ve built using code is an iPhone app that helps you practice vocabulary in another language using a matching game.

How has learning to code positively impacted your life? 

Learning to code has led me to a career that I love and am passionate about. I am happy to wake up every morning and get to work while also having enough free time to do the rest of the things I love in life.

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post Teacher Spotlight: Thomas Kellough appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Meet Audrey, a fantastic young lady learning to code at CodeWizardsHQ whose hard work and dedication has led her to be our Student of the Month!

Audrey started out in our coding summer camp program in Austin, Texas, and continued into our program first through WMS with Lynn and then finally into a Direct class with Sheena. She has also taken advantage of our free Bonus Classes and completed the Profile Page Portfolio with senior teacher Sabreena. 

Audrey is a fantastic example of how our students transition through the CWHQ Program!

“My favorite thing about my current CodeWizards teacher is that she is very outgoing, and I don’t have to feel shy or afraid when I talk to her.”

– Audrey

Audrey’s Standout Projects:

Aubrey’s Web Page

Audrey’s Answers:

Q. Why did you decide to learn to code over other activities? 

I decided to do coding over other activities because I was first introduced to programming when I was about six years old. I stopped after a few years and then my dad suggested a CodeWizards class that looked interesting. I took it and had a great time!

Q. Has coding ever helped you in your life? 

Not at the moment, but when I begin my computer science courses in high school, it most likely will.

Q. What do you want to do with your coding skills in the future?  

I want to use my programming skills in the future to become a professional programmer. I love to code and solve problems.

Q. What are 3 words that would describe your experience learning to code? 

Three words that describe my coding experience are engaging, fun, and challenging.

Q. What is the easiest and hardest thing about coding? 

The easiest part about coding was the beginning of the HTML & CSS course. I had already taken a summer camp class and learned a lot in my last Python class. The hardest part of coding is trying to find and figure out my mistakes.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about learning to code with CodeWizardsHQ?

I enjoy the homework projects the most. I can personalize the projects to make them my own. The coding itself is easy to understand and my teacher explains it very well.

Q. What do you like the most about your CodeWizardsHQ teacher? 

My favorite thing about my current CodeWizards teacher is that she is very outgoing, and I don’t have to feel shy or afraid when I talk to her. 

Q. What have your favorite projects been and why?

My favorite project in coding so far was being able to make my own website in Python. I got to personalize it and it prepared me for my next class. My teacher worked with me one-on-one for the entire class time.

Audrey’s Parents’ Responses:

Q. How did you find out about CodeWizardsHQ?

I found out about CodeWizardsHQ through the RRISD Gifted and Advanced Academics Parent Conference. Specifically, I attended a presentation by CWHQ founder, Jey Iyempandi. 

Q. How do you think coding is going to impact your family in the future?

I think it will enable Audrey to have many opportunities in the job market after she is done with her schooling.

Q. What goals or dreams do you have around coding for your children?

I would like her to be a self-employed entrepreneur who does freelance programming work for clients.

Q. Do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code?

I don’t think that every kid should learn to code, but children who have an interest and aptitude for it should definitely be encouraged to learn.

Q. What is your favorite aspect of working with CodeWizardsHQ? 

I like the convenience of my child being able to take the courses at home.

[We] would highly recommend CodeWizardsHQ for other families interested in coding.

Audrey’s Parents

Q. How has learning to code impacted your child? 

She has been able to accomplish more with the computer, and it has developed her problem-solving skills.

Here is what her teachers had to say about her:

At CodeWizardsHQ, Our Students Are Our Top Priority.

We are lucky to have Audrey and her family as a part of our community!

Interested in learning to code this summer? 
See our summer classes and coding camps for kids.

Level up your child’s learning experience. Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:
Elementary School Coding Program, Middle School Coding Program, High School Coding Program

The post Student Spotlight: Audrey B. appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

So shall we create our way…

Caretaker and rainmaker we must be…

So shall our fears and some tears fade away…

Keep up…keeping up…the rainbow trail is around the corner

It is beautiful to hope…to hope…to hope…

Segment from Rainbows trails provide hope.

by M.W. Hardwick

With all of the changes happening around us due to COVID-19, it feels like we’re all grasping for human connection and contact, but from a distance.

Social networks are promoting the hashtag #stayhome to encourage social distancing and avoid the spread of COVID-19. Many families around the globe are also adopting an initiative that was born in Italy under the name “Tutto andrà bene” meaning “everything will be ok”. 

This campaign has filled windows and doors of houses in many cities in Italy with drawings made by children who cannot go outside and choose to write positive messages instead. The initiative started with a few mothers in Bari, Puglia using Facebook, and then picked up across the country. Now, it has spread to Spain, England, and now the USA. 

The viral #rainbowtrail initiative aims to spread hope and positivity, as well as give children something to look out for on walks or through their windows. All kids have to do to participate is draw a picture of a rainbow accompanied by an encouraging phrase, “Tutto andrà bene” in Italian or “Jiayou” in Chinese. They then hang these signs outside or in windows to spread the uplifting messages.

While kids are not able to go outside, when they look through the windows they are able to see “solidarity” with their neighbors’ rainbows in the windows. It reiterates how we are together in this journey and underlines the community’s pledge supporting staying inside during the corona pandemic. 

Today, CodeWizardsHQ wants to participate in this initiative by transforming this activity into a reason for kids to learn a little about coding. We believe that coding can unite people throughout the world and we know that together we are stronger. 

We invite you to hang your finished #rainbowtrail project, snap a picture, and tag us on social media @CodeWizardsHQ! Download the free printable #RainbowTrail coding activity instructions and the drawing page here.

 Are you looking for other printable activities? Check out 7 Free Printable Coding Activities for Kids that teaches concepts like binary code, algorithms, and ASCII symbols. [Read More]

Did your kids enjoy the activities? Would they like to continue learning to code? CodeWizardsHQ delivers the most fun and effective live, online coding classes for kids and teens ages 8-18. We offer coding classes to elementary, middle, and high school students. 

You can also enroll your child in a special daytime or accelerated class during school closures.

The post #RainbowTrail: Free Coding & Coloring Activity for Kids appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

About Teacher Spotlight: The concept of “students first” is at the heart of everything we are and do at CodeWizardsHQ. We know students learn best when they interact with a talented teacher. We conscientiously hand-select the very best coding teachers, ultimately hiring only the top 2% of applicants. Every month, we go behind the scenes to tell you more about one of our amazing teachers. This month, we bring you Parvinderjit Singh!

Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn to code? 

Computer literacy is currently the leading skill required to perform most white-collar jobs. In the future, this trend will grow exponentially as computers continue to transform the modern workforce. Learning to code allows a person to learn how to think from a computer’s perspective and thus gain insight into its limitations and capabilities.

What inspired you to learn to code?

During freshman year of high school, I had to use a graphing calculator, TI-83, which had a simple programming language built-in. I spent hours during classes programming games into that calculator and learning the basics of coding such as loops, variables, and functions

If you could have one teacher super-power, what would it be?

 One teacher super-power that I would love to possess is the ability to instill the passion for a subject into a student

What is your favorite teaching story? Or What is the funniest story you have from your kids coding classes?

My favorite teaching story is about a systems programming class I took a few years ago. In the introductory class, the professor demonstrated interpreting the pixel values in a hello kitty image as an executable program that printed “Hello World!” to the screen.

What has been the most rewarding part of teaching kids at CodeWizardsHQ? or What do you enjoy most about teaching kids?

The kids are very bright and enthusiastic about learning to program. The CodeWizardsHQ platform is also very engaging and enables kids to not only learn to code but also express their creativity by customizing and extending the projects to their own tastes.

What is your vision for the future of coding and kids?

I believe that coding has become an essential skill that every child must acquire in order to ensure future career success.

When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing (hobbies)?

I like to build robots and different kinds of gadgets with my kids using single board computers such as the raspberry pi or an arduino board. I also love to read and play basketball.

What is the best thing you’ve built using code? 

I’m currently working on building an LSM key-value store, which is similar to the backends used in most NoSQL and NewSQL systems in use today. I plan to use this datastore in my thesis as the backend for storing statistical operators in order to speed up data science operations in typical machine learning pipelines. 

How has learning to code positively impacted your life? 

Coding has provided a positive channel for my creativity and allowed me to build some cool things in the past, such as a mini operating system and a prototype sign language glove. It has also taught me to organize my thoughts and approach problems logically and step by step, decomposing complex issues into more manageable chunks.

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post Teacher Spotlight: Parvinderjit Singh appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Learning to code without a computer may seem impossible, but it makes perfect sense, especially for kids that do not have access to a computer at home. More than anything, learning to code requires a lot of analytical thinking and problem-solving which can be helpful whether your child decides on a STEM-focused future or not. You can play coding games and complete coding worksheets for kids that can teach concepts without ever looking at a screen.

[Download] Printable Coding Worksheets Get 7 printable worksheets to learn about coding. No computer necessary, add these to your coding practice or homeschool curriculum. Download Now

As a parent or teacher, you may be searching for offline tools if your students do not have regular access to a computer. Luckily, teachers have taught for generations without the use of the internet. There are many ways to learn coding concepts without ever using a computer. So, we wanted to provide free coding activities and printable coding worksheets to help kids advance in their studies.

We’ve created 7 free coding worksheets for kids that you can add to your homeschool curriculum to teach the basic principles of coding. It includes fun, kid-friendly favorites like a coding word search and a coding crossword puzzle. You can also use our printable worksheets to teach children about algorithms, ASCII codes, and bubble sorting. Give your students an introduction to metacognition, problem-solving, and abstract thinking.

Recommended: Free Coding for Kids Resources

Our 7 free printable worksheets for kids include:

Coding Worksheet #1: Code My Name

Using ASCII code, you can write your name in binary! If you feel extra creative you can not only write your name in numbers, but you can even code your name using colorful beads and make a bracelet, keychain, necklace, or new home decorations. Use this free worksheet to learn about how computers process numbers and symbols. What may seem like an ordinary bracelet, is actually a sequence that spells out a complete thought. Here is how to create a keepsake using binary code or send a secret message: assign a separate color for 0, 1, and spaces and make the pattern say your name!

Coding Worksheet #2: How do you do it? Follow the steps

What does making a lemonade have to do with coding? This coding worksheet for kids has a funny and engaging activity to work on sequencing! Are you ready to learn and laugh? Think about it, making a lemonade may seem simple, but imagine having to write out the entire process, step-by-step, for someone who has never seen a lemon to follow. This is close to what coders do every day! The person writing code (the coder) has to create a sequence, that if followed, will always produce the same product.

Coding Worksheet #3: A Family Adventure: Near or Far

This activity is a way to start learning about bubble sorting! What is THAT? Bubble sort is a relatively simple sorting algorithm. It works by repeatedly sorting adjacent elements until the entire group is sorted. If your family is near you, you can get them together to practice bubble sorting in person, but if your family is far you can replicate this game with them by creating versions of them on paper in which their height is represented.

Coding Worksheet #4-7: Coding Vocabulary & Answers

Learning vocabulary in any subject helps kids feel empowered. A robust vocabulary improves all areas of communication — listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Vocabulary is critical to a child’s success for these reasons: vocabulary growth is directly related to school achievement and they can describe and utilize proper terminology.

We’ve included three coding worksheets with which students can practice coding vocabulary while mastering definitions and understanding.

Download 7 Free Printable Coding Worksheets for Kids

Do you know of more games and activities that can be played without a computer? Share your favorites with us and let us know!

If your child enjoys these coding worksheets and they would like to continue learning, CodeWizardsHQ delivers the most fun and effective live, online coding classes for kids and teens ages 8-18.

Join a live online coding class for kids!

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post 7 Free Printable Coding Worksheets for Kids appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.