Usborne Coding Books

Usborne's "Coding for Beginners" series, specifically the edition focusing on Scratch, is designed to make the basics of coding accessible and engaging for children. Usborne Publishing, established by Peter Usborne in 1973, has a long history of creating educational and engaging books for children. The "Coding for Beginners" series was developed to address the growing need for early coding education, aiming to make programming accessible and fun for young learners. Peter Usborne, a pioneer in educational publishing, envisioned a series that would simplify complex concepts and spark children's interest in technology. Usborne's books have been celebrated for their quality and educational value, winning numerous awards and becoming staples in homes and schools worldwide​ (Usborne Be Curious)​​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

Differentiation: What Makes It Special The "Coding for Beginners" series is unique in its visual and interactive approach to teaching coding. By using Scratch, a graphical programming language developed by MIT, the series breaks down coding into manageable, engaging steps. This hands-on, project-based learning method makes the abstract concepts of coding tangible and enjoyable for children​ (Usborne Be Curious)​​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

How to Get Started To start with the "Coding for Beginners" series, parents can purchase the books from Usborne’s website or other major booksellers. The series requires minimal preparation and is designed to be 'open and go,' making it easy to integrate into homeschooling. Each book begins with setting up a Scratch account and guides the user through the initial steps of coding projects​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

How It Works The series encourages regular, short coding sessions, ideally 20-30 minutes daily, to help children build and retain their skills. The activities are designed to be largely independent but offer opportunities for parent involvement, particularly when troubleshooting or discussing the projects. Each project builds on the previous ones, gradually increasing in complexity​ (Usborne Be Curious)​​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

What Educational Content It Includes

  • Introduction to coding and computational thinking

  • Creating games and animations using Scratch

  • Step-by-step visual instructions

  • Progressive projects that build coding skills

  • Logical thinking and problem-solving exercises​ (Usborne Be Curious)​​ (Usborne Be Curious)​

What’s Good About It Users love the series for its engaging, visually appealing content that keeps children interested in learning. The clear, step-by-step instructions and the immediate, tangible results of coding projects help boost children's confidence and enthusiasm. Parents appreciate the ease of use and the educational value it brings to their homeschooling curriculum​ (Usborne Be Curious)​​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

What Could Be Improved While the series is excellent for beginners, some users feel that it could benefit from more advanced challenges for children who quickly master the basics. Additionally, incorporating more detailed explanations of the underlying coding concepts could help in transitioning to more complex programming languages​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

Advice from Parents Parents recommend supplementing the series with practical coding sessions and additional resources to deepen understanding. They also suggest using online communities or forums where children can share their projects and get feedback, which can enhance their learning experience and motivation​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

Who It’s an Ideal Fit For The "Coding for Beginners" series is ideal for young children who are new to coding, particularly those aged 7 and above. It suits learners who thrive on visual, hands-on activities and is perfect for homeschooling parents seeking a structured yet flexible coding curriculum​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For Children who have advanced coding skills or prefer more theoretical learning might find the series too basic. It may also not suit learners who are less engaged by visual or project-based instruction​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

Grades K-5

Cost $14.99 per book

Ways to Get It The series is available for purchase through Usborne’s website, major booksellers, educational stores, and libraries​ (Usborne Be Curious)​.

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Manisha Snoyer (CEO and co-founder of Modulo)

Manisha Snoyer is an experienced educator and tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience teaching more than 2,000 children across three countries. She co-founded Modulo with Eric Ries to help families design personalized educational experiences. Prior to Modulo, she and Eric founded Schoolclosures.org, the largest relief effort for families during the pandemic that provided a hotline, free online math tutoring, and other essential resources to support 100,000 families. As a an early mover in alternative education, Manisha created CottageClass, the first microschool marketplace in 2015. She is dedicated to empowering families to build customized learning solutions that address academic, social, and emotional needs. Manisha graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with degrees in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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