--- title: 6 Tools to Teach Coding in After School | Extended Notes description: Today everyone—from educators to industry leaders to policymakers—is talking about coding. image: https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_114084067__800x400.jpg --- # 6 Tools to Teach Coding in After School June 14 - [Home](https://www.extendednotes.com/) - [Articles](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog) - 6 Tools to Teach Coding in After School Share this Post [mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/6-tools-to-teach-coding-in-after-school](mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/6-tools-to-teach-coding-in-after-school) [STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) ![Shutterstock 114084067](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_114084067__800x400.jpg) ## Coding: An Important 21st Century Skill   Today everyone—from educators to industry leaders to policymakers—is talking about coding. But it isn’t just a fad. In an increasingly digital world, coding, or programming, is considered a life skill that some have called the “perfect gateway to 21st-century skills.” In addition to its ability to encourage and support creative expression and problem solving, coding builds key thinking skills, such as collaboration, abstraction and persistence.   Based on this knowledge, Code.org created the [Hour of Code](https://hourofcode.com/) to bring coding to students across the world. Held the second week of December in celebration of [Computer Science Education Week](https://csedweek.org/), the event provides a one-hour introduction to computer science—teaching students the basics of coding.   Although the event is held once a year, there are many ways to integrate coding into the core curriculum for programs. Consider the following apps, games and online tools to teach coding year-round:   - [Tynker](https://www.tynker.com/): Programming courses for kids with tutoring and visual tools. - [Robotiky](http://www.robotiky.com/): A robot that teaches kids to code through online tutorials and games. - [Code Monkey Island](http://codemonkeyplanet.com/): Board game for teaching the fundamentals of programming logic. - [ScratchJr](http://www.scratchjr.org/): App for teaching young children how to program their own interactive stories and games. - [Kids Ruby](http://kidsruby.com): Programming interface that allows kids to write and test code. To participate in the Hour of Code, check out this [how-to guide for after school educators](https://hourofcode.com/us/how-to). #### Article Categories ![afterschool advocacy icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/afterschool%20advocacy%20icon.svg) After School Advocacy ![bullying safety icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/bullying%20safety%20icon.svg) Bullying and Safety ![leadership icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/leadership%20icon.svg) Leadership & Professional Development ![parental engagement icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/parental%20engagement%20icon.svg) Parental Engagement ![physical activity icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/physical%20activity%20icon.svg) Physical Activity ![program development icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/program%20development%20icon.svg) Program Development ![social emotional learning icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/social%20emotional%20learning%20icon.svg) Social-Emotional Learning ![stem icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/stem%20icon.svg) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) ![teaching strategies icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/teaching%20strategies%20icon.svg) Teaching Strategies ![extended notes fb page banner](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png?width=342&height=130&name=extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png) [Follow Page ](https://www.facebook.com/385747254841303?ref=embed_page) ![ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge Base-01](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg) ExtendED Notes 974 followers Connect with us to get the latest Articles & Insights. ## Related Articles ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hour_of_code__800x400.jpg?width=352&name=hour_of_code__800x400.jpg) #### Hour of Code: Six Resources to Get Students in the Coding Spirit The annual Hour of Code is held in December to celebrate Computer Science Education Week. [Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_293006000-2__800x400.jpg?width=352&name=shutterstock_293006000-2__800x400.jpg) #### Why Critical Thinking is a Skill of the Future Critical thinking remains an important skill for students to understand and learn. [Teaching Strategies ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/teaching-strategies) [STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1161872146__800x400-1.jpg?width=352&name=shutterstock_1161872146__800x400-1.jpg) #### 3 Simple STEM Activities for Young Learners Children can understand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts when they are... 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