Kodable

Kodable introduces kids to key concepts in computer programming through a series of games designed to grow with them from kindergarten to fifth grade. The games are set in outer space, and students advance through the levels by learning programming concepts as they play. Skills start with sequencing and advance to loops, conditions, functions, and variables and into object-oriented programming concepts like properties and classes.

The teacher curriculum includes videos to introduce the concepts and step-by-step lesson plans, including vocabulary and off-screen activities, that teach the concepts (and perhaps introduce them to teachers) before students explore them through the on-screen games. Students can work at their own pace, replaying levels as necessary. In addition to the app, Kodable can be played online through a web browser, and there are offline activities available, too. 

Overall, this is a stellar tool for introducing kids -- and their teachers -- to coding.  Content-wise, Kodable is similar to other introductory programming logic apps like Move the Turtle and My Robot Friend, teaching sequencing and concepts like conditional clauses and functions. But the built-in curriculum and teacher dashboard make Kodable stand apart as a remarkable choice for early computer science study. 

Teachers may worry about how they can teach a concept like computer programming if they don't have a strong background in the subject. Fortunately, the Kodable curriculum is a terrific on-ramp for building teachers' knowledge about coding so that they can most effectively support their students. You'll learn the lingo along with the kids if you don't already know it. Remember, kids aren't learning to write code just yet, but they can get a glimpse of what it looks like as they play and as they develop the logic and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed as programmers -- skills that will serve them well everywhere.