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CS Educator Toolkit CS Family Toolkit Community of Practice

Ideas for Creating Your Own Event

  • PBIS Family and Community Learning Series
    • These events are already pre planned for you and just need implemented by you! They encourage families and students to learn and work alongside each other through this 3-4  part series. 
  • CS is Elementary
    • This resource also provides you with ways to implement a family code night in person or virtually with families
  • Code.org’s Hour of code
    • Pick an hour of code activity/module and have your families and students come in and work together for one hour on their project and see what they come up with! This is best if you have enough devices for each group
  • Use robots
    • All students love using robots and seeing how they work! If you don’t have your own robots to use consider borrowing them from your IU’s lending library or your local library. Set them up in a space and let students and families explore! Some robots to consider for 1st time users: Blue Bots, Spheros, India, code & go mouse, Botley 
Tips: 
  • Make events friendly and non intimidating for families. Many parents may have never coded before. Make sure they feel welcomed and know that they get the opportunity to learn right alongside their students and that CS really is for EVERYBODY.
  • Have food or snacks if possible, it is a great way to get families into the building and again helps to build a community.within your school. 
  • Share, Share, Share! Remind your families often about your events and encourage them to attend other CS events within your community. 
  • Parent handout 
In order to provide the best and most current resources and information, we continually revise our CSinPA Toolkits. You can contribute to the toolkit by submitting your questions, revisions, or resources using this form.