offline coding academy Archives

Christmas Sweater Symmetry STEM Challenge

November 13, 2021 By Deirdre

This Christmas sweater symmetry STEM challenge invites children to create and color a Christmas sweater. The directions children will need to follow are displayed in a Blockly block algorithm. The set is one of many Offline Coding Academy printables available here and at my TPT shop.

The set contains three different versions of the Christmas sweater symmetry STEM challenge. The first features algorithm steps in just words. The second version has directions in words and pictures. The final version is a coloring page. Children will still be working on symmetry. It will be a challenge to color the parts of the sweater symmetrically.

Building Background

You may want to read your children a Christmas-themed book before they start this activity. The pictures in the book may inspire the decoration they place on their trees.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Getting the Christmas Sweater Symmetry Set

The symmetry set is a PDF. When you download it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Acrobat Reader is a popular reader that you can download to use. You probably have it on your computer already.

Christmas Sweater STEM Symmetry Set Download

Exploring the Challenge Set

Before starting on the pages, you will need to make sure your children understand what symmetry is. A sample fully colored page is in the set that you can share with your children. After they have become familiar with symmetry, they can start.
The sweater they create will need to have a tree, star, ornaments, and presents. It doesn’t need to have to look just like the pictures on the blocks. If you are worried about them doing that, please print out the page that just has words on it.
While they can work on their own, you may want to work through the first few blocks with them. It will help you know that they are on track with what symmetry is.
Although you could suggest ways to decorate the background, you may want to leave that up to your children.

Here are some more set from the Offline Coding Academy

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Slime with Liquid Starch Algorithm Coding Activity

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Spider Web STEM Challenge Activity

October 18, 2021 By Deirdre

This spider web STEM challenge activity can be explored a number of ways. Two of the versions of the spider web STEM challenge are featured in a free printable set. The set first walks children through creating a cardboard square web. Then it shares a round paper plate web. If you decide that those spider webs are too challenging for your children, a third version will be shared at the end of the post. However, it does not have a recording sheet..

All of the spider webs feature the same web structure. Children will start by creating a framework. After that they will weave dental floss over and under the framework.

Building Background

Before your children start the spider web STEM challenge, you may want to read them a book about spider webs. Seeing the spider webs displayed and discussed in a book or books may inspire them in their web building.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Getting Ready to Build a Spider Web

Getting the Spider Web Activity Set

This STEM challenge is a PDF. When you download it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Acrobat Reader is a popular reader that you can download to use. You probably have it on your computer already.

Spider Web STEM Challenge Activity Set Download

Gathering the Supplies

This activity will need the following supplies

Scissors
Waxed Dental Floss ( You can use other types of dental floss, but they aren’t as easy to use.)
Cardboard Frame or Paper Plate
Hole Punch
Tape
Plastic Spider

Building the Web

There are directions in the set that will walk children through how to build the web. There are also some questions they will want to think about before they build their web.

Another Way to Build the Spider Web

If you don’t have access to waxed dental floss, you can use plain or unwaxed floss. It will be a challenge to keep the floss in place.

One way that you can help the floss to stay in position is to place small sections of a straw between them. Each section of straw will need to have a small slit in it. The slit will allow children to slide the straw section onto the floss.
It actually creates a cool looking web!

More Spider-Themed Activities

Spider Web STEM Hanger Challenge

Alphabet Match Game with a Spider-Theme

Otter Learn About Coding Algorithm Gameboards

July 21, 2021 By Deirdre

Children can learn about coding and building algorithms with this set of otter-themed coding gameboards. They will create a path that connects the word Start to the word End on each gameboard. The boxes will be connected with arrows. The set contains arrows you can print and cut out. Your children can also draw the arrows needed for the coding algorithm path. Although there is more than one way to complete some the algorithm game boards, only one path is shared on the answer key.

Getting Ready for the Coding Algorithm Activity

Printing Out the Otter Coding Algorithm Game Boards

This set of Otter Learn About Coding Algorithm Game Boards has been saved in PDF format. After downloading the set, you will need to have a PDF reader on your computer to open them. You will find that the coding algorithm boards have colored graphics. They don’t have to be printed out in color. After selecting print, you will need to select grayscale as your printing preference.

Building Background

The links below are affiliate links.
You may want to read your children a book about otters. I was recently sent the books Archer Otters and Archer Otters: Megalodon Outbreak. They would be fun to read to your children. Below you will find links to those books and a few more books about otters.

Exploring the Otter Game Boards

You will find that some of the game boards offer a number of ways that your children complete the game boards. Here is how you could introduce your children to the game boards.

First, you can work through a part of a game board with your children. It will help them understand how to place the arrows in the boxes. Remember that the arrows should point in the direction they will need to go to move from the box they are in into the next box to get around the otters. They need to begin at the word Start and finish in the box that will lead them to the End box.
Second, you can give your students the answer key and see if they can replicate it on their own board.
Third, children can work with a partner to complete the gameboard. They can take turns placing the arrows in the squares.

More Algorithm Activities to Explore

A number of algorithm activities exist here on my blog and on my Teachers Pay Teacher shop. Below you will see a few of them.

Halloween Words on Algorithm Game Boards

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Disclaimer: I was sent the Archer Otters book along with a Woodrow & The Bees book to review. I really enjoyed all of the books and decided to create algorithm game boards based on the otter books.

Thanksgiving Words on Algorithm Game Boards

October 20, 2020 By Deirdre

This set of algorithm game boards features Thanksgiving words. Your children will have fun connecting the letters on a gameboard with arrows to create the featured word. Some of the game boards will have only one possible algorithm while others will have multiple ways.

Getting Ready for the Thanksgiving Words Activity

Printing Out the Thanksgiving Word Game Boards

This set of Thanksgiving Words on Algorithm Game Boards has been saved in a PDF format. After downloading the set, you will need to have a PDF reader on your computer to open them.

Building Background

This set includes a flashcard for each of the featured Thanksgiving words. Before you start the activity you may want to review what each of the words means.

After that, you may want to read your children a book about Thanksgiving. The books below contain the featured words. By listening or reading a book that features them your children gain a better understanding of each word.

The links below are affiliate links.

Exploring the Thanksgiving Words on Game Boards

You will find that there are a number of ways that you can have your children complete the game boards.

First, you can work through a part of a game board with your children. It will help them understand how to place the arrows in the boxes. Remember the arrows should point in the direction they will need to go to move from the box they are in into the next box.
Second, you can give your students the answer key and see if they can replicate it on their own board.
Third. children can work with a partner to complete the gameboard. They can take turns placing the arrows in the squares.

More Algorithm Activities to Explore

A number of algorithm activities exist here on my blog and on my Teachers Pay Teacher shop. Below you will see a few of them.

Halloween Words on Algorithm Game Boards

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Using Blockly Blocks to Color an All About Me Worksheet

July 24, 2020 By Deirdre

This All About Me worksheet was designed to use at the beginning of school. However, you could use it with your children whenever you like. The worksheet is part of a series of sneaker printables designed to go along with the book Pete the Cat: Rocking My School Shoes.

The directions for what your children need to write or draw on the shoes are displayed on Blockly Blocks. They will need to follow them to complete the algorithm or series of steps needed to complete the worksheet.

Wait! What are Blockly Blocks?

Blockly blocks are a visual drag and drop programming language. The blocks connect to form an algorithm or series of steps needed to complete a task. The command or step you need to complete is displayed on each block.

Getting the All About Me Worksheet Ready

Getting the Worksheet

Before you download a copy of the Offline Coding Academy – All About Me Sneakers you will need to make sure you have a PDF reader on your computer. This worksheet is a PDF document it will not open without a PDF reader on your computer.

Reading About Coding

This activity is based on a Pete the Cat book. While you will want to read that book to them, you may also want to read your children a book about coding. Below you will find some wonderful children’s books about coding.

The links below are affiliate links.

Working on the Worksheet

First, you will need to walk your children through the algorithm or directions of the Blockly Blocks. You will notice that almost all of the directions ask you to decorate or write on the side one shoe first.
Next, your children may need you to remind them to color the same number of shoelaces on both shoes. They can color the laces in any order or pattern they want to. If you would prefer for them to color from the top down or every other lace, you could have them do that.
Then they can work through the direction blocks on their own or with you. There are a number of words on each block. If after reading them once with your children they seem overwhelmed, you could read each step to them.
Finally, you can have your children share their shoes with you. They can share with your what they have written or drawn on the sides of the shoes. You can learn a lot while listening to your children share out loud.

Here are the other sneaker-themed worksheets in this series:

$Free Printable Sneaker-Themed Math Game Boards$

These free printable sneaker-themed game boards can be used to review a number of math skills. One of the game boards is editable. It can be used to work on any skills you need your children to review.

Next, there is an Offline Coding Academy – Algorithm Game Boards set. Your children can create a path or algorithm around the sneakers to get from the start to the end.

Finally, a great way to learn about binary numbers is to spell with them. This worksheet invites children to spell parts of a sneaker in binary code.

While it is not a part of this series, your children may want to color a cat mask. I created the mask to look like Pete the Cat. It is not a perfect match to the pictures of him in his books.

Offline Coding Academy – Sneaker Algorithm Game Boards

July 23, 2020 By Deirdre

These algorithm game boards are a great way for your children to explore algorithms and coding. They are a part of a Back to School series of coding activities that feature sneakers. Why sneakers? Pete the Cat loves his sneakers. Many children get new sneakers to start the school year. I thought that made sneakers a great back to school theme.

I have created a couple of these game boards to use offline with children. So far there is a one with penguin theme and one with sharks. Once you have checked them out, you may want to check other activities that are part of my Offline Coding Academy.

Getting the Algorithm Game Boards Ready

Before you can explore the algorithm game boards you will need to download them. The Sneaker Algorithm Game Boards set is a PDF. Therefore will need to have Acrobat Reader or another PDF reader on your computer to open it.

Next, you will need to decide which of the gameboards you want to have your children explore and print out.

Then you will need to decide if your children are going to draw their algorithm path with a pencil. (You will only be able to use the game board once if you choose this approach.) If you choose to print out the arrows that come with the set, you can use the game boards over and over again. (Laminate game boards will last a really long time.)

Exploring the Algorithm Game Boards

These sneaker game boards invite children to connect the beginning of the game board to the end. Arrows children place in the squares connecting the beginning to the end will create the algorithm

Sneakers have been placed in some of the blocks. The arrows children place in the blocks will need to point in the direction needed to leave the box and move to the next box that doesn’t contain a sneaker. While there is more than one way to complete each gameboard, some routes are more direct than others. When a coder is creating an algorithm, they try to use the fewest steps possible. Some children may try to find the shortest route with the fewest twists and turns. Some children will try to come up with the most creative route. It will be fun to see what your children choose to do.

Reading a Pete the Cat Book

If your children haven’t read Pete the Cat books before. You may want to read one of the books below to them.

The links below are affiliate links.

If you like this coding activity, here are some more you will love.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Offline Coding Academy -Printable Shark Algorithm Game Boards

July 6, 2020 By Deirdre

Printable shark algorithm game boards are a great way to introduce your children to coding. Coding is simply creating a series of steps that will help complete a task. These game boards invite children to connect the beginning of the game board to the end. Arrows children place in the squares connecting the beginning to the end will create the algorithm.

Shark pictures have been placed in some of the blocks. The arrows will need to point in the direction needed to leave the box and move to the next box that doesn’t contain a shark. While there is more than one way to complete each gameboard, some routes are more direct than others. When a coder is creating an algorithm, they try to use the fewest steps possible. Some children may try to find the shortest route with the fewest twists and turns. Some children will try to come up with the most creative route. It will be fun to see what your children choose to do.

Before Building an Algorithm Read a Book

Your children may not have a lot of experience with coding and how it is used. Before you have them start any of the algorithm game boards, you may want to read them a book about coding. You will find several children’s books about coding below.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting the Algorithm Game Boards Ready

The Shark Algorithm Game Boards are available to download in a PDF format. You will need to have a program like Acrobat Reader available to open them up. While the game board feature color graphics. You can print them out in black and white. (You will notice that is what we have done.)

Hint: If you plan on using them over and over again, you will want to print them out on card stock and laminate them. They will last longer that way.

There are two ways for your children to build algorithms on the game boards. The first is drawing arrows in the boxes. The second is using the arrows that come with the game board set. If you choose to use the printable arrows, you will want to print them on card stock and laminate them.

Working on the Algorithm Game Boards

There are a number of ways your children can work on building algorithms. The first thing they will need to do is figure out what path they will use to connect the word Start to the word Finish.
Before you have them work on their own, you will want to walk them through creating the first few steps.
They will need to decide which way to go to leave the Start box. Then they will draw or place an arrow pointing the direction they will need to go to leave the box. Next, they will decide what direction they will need to go to move from that box to the next. They will continue to build their path with arrows until they reach the word End.
Some children may need to build a full algorithm path with you or a partner before they work on their own.
When they have completed their algorithm, please have them tell you what it is. You may also want them to tell you why they chose the path they did.

Here are some more algorithm activities:

Offline Coding Academy- Printable Games with Penguins

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

Coding Games for Kids from Little Bins for Little Hands

This is part of the Shark Worksheets for Kids (Five Days Worth) event.

How to Draw Desert Animals Direct Drawing Activity

June 10, 2020 By Deirdre

This is the fourth set of How to Draw Animals with algorithms. Previously sets have featured forest animals and insects. This set explores how to draw desert animals. Those animals are the coyote, armadillo, and a scorpion. There are two versions of each animal’s drawing page. One page uses only pictures to walk step by step through drawing the animal. The second page displays pictures and words on the Blockly block algorithms.

Why Are Blockly Blocks Used to Display the Steps

There are a number of online coding programs that use Blockly Blocks to introduce children to coding. The blocks are used to build an algorithm or series of steps needed to complete a task. Learning how to build the steps offline gives children the opportunity to see how they work. It also helps them build an understanding of what different types of Blockly Blocks mean. You will find that this set features only standard function blocks. (I do have directed drawing pages that feature loop blocks.)

Building Background Through Reading

Reading children’s books is a great way to help children build background knowledge on a subject. The books below will help them learn more about the desert and the animals that live there.
The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the How to Draw Desert Animals Set

You can download the How to Draw Desert Animals with Directed Drawings and open it with Acrobat Reader. The set is a PDF and requires a program like Acrobat Reader to open it up. There are two versions of each set. You can decide which set is best for your children.

Ways to Explore This Set

There are several ways you can have your children work on a drawing page.

First, they can work on the drawing pages on their own.
Second, you can walk them through a few steps on the Blockly blocks. After doing a couple of the steps with them, they may be ready to do it on their own.
Third, you can work through the whole set of directions with them. You can draw each of the steps on a large whiteboard. It will make it easier for them to see what each step looks like.
Fourth, you can have them work in pairs. Each child can take turns drawing a section of the animal.

Here are some more coding activities you may want to try:

Offline Printable Coding Games

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

February 23, 2020 By Deirdre

World Book Week and Read Across America Week are both at the beginning of March. Your children will have a wonderful time coloring the fish on this one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish algorithm page during either of those weeks. Actually, they will probably have fun exploring the page any week of the year. The directions for coloring the fish are on Blockly blocks. Your children will need to follow the directions from the top of the page to the bottom. If they follow each direction, they will end up with two uncolored fish. You can decide if you want them to color them or leave them blank.

Why Not Read a Book About Fish?

Before your children start the algorithm page, you could read them a book about fish. You don’t have to read the Dr. Seuss book with the same title as the algorithm page. There are a lot of fun books about fish. Below you will find some of my favorite fish themed books.

The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the Algorithm Page

First, you will need to download the Coloring One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page.

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you will need to go to your download file and open the page. You may be asked if you want the file to open right after you download it. If you are, you won’t have to hunt for it in your download file.

Exploring the Algorithm Page

When I explored this algorithm page with my students at school, I walked them through the page. Why?

Children need to know that there are two types of Blockly blocks on the page. The first block I call a command block. It tells children what to do. The block that says Color One of the Fish is one of these. The other type of block is a loop. It tells your children how many times they will need to follow a command. The block that says Repeat 3 times is a loop. The block in the loop is a command block. It tells your children to Color Fish Red. Together they tell children to color three fish red.

If you like this book related algorithm coloring page, here are a few more you are going to love.

Three Pigs Blockly Block Worksheet

Magical Creatures STEM Coding Algorithm Drawing Activity

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Offline Coding Academy- Printable Games with Penguins

January 24, 2020 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun creating algorithms that move them from the start to end on each of the printable games. While building a path on a game board, your children will be working on a number of coding skills. You will find a list of them later on in the post. The coding games are so much fun your children won’t realize they are learning as they explore them.

Wait! What is an algorithm?

A kid-friendly definition is that an algorithm is a series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task. Your children complete algorithms or a series of steps to complete tasks every day. (You will find an everyday example of an algorithm on the How to Draw an Astronaut post.)

Getting Your Copy of the Printable Games

You can download your own set of the Offline Coding Academy- Penguin Algorithm Game Boards. Then you will want to print out the boards you want to use onto card stock. The games use arrow cards that come with the game boards. They will also need to be printed out onto card stock.

Hint: When the game boards and arrows are laminated, they will last longer.

Playing the Algorithm Games

You can play with the games boards in several different ways.

Your children can work out what path they want to follow to get from start to finish. Then they can put an arrow card in each space along their path. The arrows will need to point in the direction they will need to go to get from one square to the next.
Your children can place an arrow in the start box pointing the way they would need to go to get to the next open box. Then they will repeat this process as they make their way to the end box.

Coding Skills

Your children will look at how tasks can be decomposed into simple tasks.
Then they will look at how simple tasks can be composed to form complex tasks.
Children will use picture directions to design a series of steps to complete a simple task.
Finally, your children will test a series of directions to successfully complete a simple task.