Computer Programming in Your Homeschool {giveaway}

 

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to try out a programming package from Homeschool Programming in our homeschool.  I decided to let my oldest son work through the program since he has always been interested in what is behind the scenes of his favorite computer programs.

Now, I can figure out HTML, but that’s about the end of my expertise (and frankly, I’m not an HTML expert by a long shot).  So, the idea of teaching Blake anything about programming would have been impossible without Homeschool Programming.

I started him in TeenCoder since he was an 8th grader and advanced in most of his classes, but we quickly realized without prior programming knowledge and no natural aptitude for such things, we needed to start with KidCoder first.  From there, I watched him blossom and grow in his ability to create and understand computer programming!

HSPROG collageBlake works on KidCoder entirely on his own, only calling me in to see his latest creation (and often he has added something to the program in order to play a joke on me – like endless button clicks with funny quips added to each one!)

The chapters contain information, application, and review.  Your child will get to work on a program of their very own, and then go back and review with the opportunity to tweak their original program.  Blake says he can sometimes get through one chapter in a sitting, but sometimes he has to take more time with each individual lesson because there is a lot of meat there that he needs to chew on first.

Blake also tells me that this curriculum really makes him think.  They give you all the basics you need to know, but then they expect you to think through things, especially when you go back to tweak your original program.  Oh, how I love a curriculum like this!

You might ask why I would have my son, who is not naturally bent toward computer programming, do this for school.  Here a few of our reasons:

  • We live in a computer world.  I want him to understand as much of it as he can.
  • It is good cause/effect learning.  Unlike so many subjects children take, this is something he can actually immediately see the fruit of his labor.
  • It’s fun!  He loves to show me what he has accomplished!

What you get when you purchase a Homeschool Programming Year Pack:

-Instruction Manual with 1 semester of Windows Programming and 1 semester of Game Programming (thought-provoking games, not mindless junk, by the way).  You can buy your semesters separately.

-Free Programming Download – KidCoder uses Visual Basics and TeenCoder uses C#.

-Free Technical Support & access to Community Forums

-Option to purchase supplemental Instructional Videos

There is also a TeenCoder Java Series available where your kids can learn to write their own Android programs!  You might end up with a little entrepreneur on your hands!

And don’t miss this chance to SAVE!

Now, here’s your chance to WIN!

Homeschool Programming is graciously giving away

One (1) first-semester course + accompanying instructional video
(winner’s choice based on their student’s age)

This would be a perfect Homeschool Computer Science class for your entire household!

Sign up to win today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

114 Comments

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114 thoughts on “Computer Programming in Your Homeschool {giveaway}”

  5. I would like to start with KidCode. This looks like a neat resource. I haven’t heard of it before you posted about it. Thanks!

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  7. We have thought of trying some sort of programming class before….but just never found one that felt good….or that was one we could afford.

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  9. We’re interested in starting with the Kidcoder. I have a 12 year old son who is definitely interested in this “stuff” (I have no idea what it’s all about!!) so I know he would love this. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  10. Very interesting program. I have wanted something like this for my oldest son. He is quite interested in computers and they are definitely beyond my scope!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  11. This would be awesome for my children. My son would eat this up. I would probably use the kid programmer first, as my children are only 10.

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  17. I am most interested in the KidCoder. We have 7 children from ages 13 down to 2 and I believe that would be the best fit for us :) Thank you!

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  20. My 13 year old did this program this year and loved it. He started with teencoder and did the teengaming. He loved it and only needed my help once to try to figure something out. Was a great intro to programming and he said it really helped him to understand all that it requires to make something work on the computer.

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  22. This looks like an amazing program. Thank you for your review & the opportunity to win .Both my 11 & 14 yrs old would love this program.

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  25. Super excited about this giveaway! This would totally be cool to my son. Would love to have kidcoder for him this year. :)

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  27. My son saw this at the convention we went to and LOVED it. He is so excited about programming. What a blessing this would be to win for him. As a single mom, I often don’t get the curriculum we really want, but what we can afford. I so wish I could get this for him. Praying. Thanks

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  28. My two oldest have been asking for a coding course. This one looks neat! They would have to start with the Kidcoder. Thanks for taking the time to review this program.

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  29. Yay what a great tool. My husband is a computer tech and knows all this stuff but I think it would be great to get my son on board to an early understanding. One day they may work side by side, even if it’s just until he’s out of school and starting a life of his own. :D

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  30. We saw this at the homeschool convention we attended. My son LOVED this. We’ve been searching for a good sale, as we can’t afford to buy it. What a blessing this would be if I could win it for him. As a single parent, I often end up getting the curriculum that I can afford, not what I actually want. Saying a few prayers. Thanks for the chance.

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  31. This looks really interesting. I was not aware of this program, although I am aware of Nathan Maxwell’s computer programs, but I’m going to wait until my son is a little older for that program. I love the concept of my children learning computer skills early.

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  35. I am so excited to find these classes!!!! My older elementary boys are both very interested in computers and technology, but I have been struggling to find materials that start at their level. I think the KidCoder is exactly what we’ve been looking for!

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  36. This looks terrific! I would love to have the KidCoder program for my son – he would love it! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  38. My husband is currently going to school for programming and my son is really interested in what he is learning. I think this would be fun for him to try!

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  39. My husband is in school for computer programming and web site design. My son is super interested in what he is learning and I think that this would be fun for him to try!

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  41. I have a couple of kids who just love all aspects of the computer. this would be wonderful to win, as I doubt I could affort to buy it!

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  45. we would probably start with kidcoder. I was just talking about this with hubby that we need to get the kids on the computer so they know their way around it. =0) Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  47. My 10 yr. old son has already asked us if we ca help him start his own website. He has it figured out that just like other children pay for webkins, farmville cash, ext that he can make $ on his own ! Problem is my hubby and I have no idea where to start ! This program sounds like something my son would love !!! He talks of learning how to design on computer. Thanks for sharing ! Would be thrilled if won :)

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  50. Sounds like a great program!! Thanks for the review. My kiddos would enjoy learning more computer skills (me too). I will have to add this program to our list of curriculum wants. Tight curriculum budget this year due to unexpected medical expenses with a lerm term preemie staying in the NICU and needing medical equipment at home.

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  52. Wow! I was just thinking about trying to find a computer programming course for my son! I would love to have this. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  56. My husband is a IT specialist and has been talking about getting a computer programming class for our kids like this.

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  59. I have a soon to be 6th grader who’s been asking to make his own programs . . . this sounds perfect! I’d start him with KidCoder.

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  60. I’ve been looking for further computer courses for my son…as he surpassed me long ago! Would be neat to win and try it for free! :)

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  63. My 12-year-old son loves computers and just took his first basic computer class in a homeschool co-op this past year ~ I would love to get him into programming! I believe the KidCoder would be best for his abilities. Thanks for such a cool give-away!

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  68. I would like to add another benefit to your list. I’ve taken more than three classes in computer programming (undergrad and grad and that not being my major). Though I don’t remember much FORTRAN code, the CHEMCAD interface, SLAM, or VBA, the logical thought process necessary for programming is helpful in so many other areas. Also the attention to detail it requires can be beneficial, carrying over into other areas as well. (This was one thing I didn’t like about programming – searching for hours for an error that ended up being a forgotton semicolon or such.) The curriculum you describe sounds great! I taught myself some BASIC from an instruction book for our “new” computer back in the 80s as a second grader, and I found it so much fun because I could create short programs and show them to my friends and family. That was the best part of my last graduate class in programming, too. :)

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  76. I am interested in Teen Coder, my son needs something challenging before we start the new school year next fall. Thanks!

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  78. Love this. My son and daughter both are interested in computers and game design. I think we would want KidCoder to begin with. Thanks for the chance.

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  82. I think KidCoder would be great for my son. I would love the windows part. I think he would really enjoy this!

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  87. We’ve been wanting to try this with our son. Thanks for your review! From what you said, we’d need to start with KidCoder as well :-)

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  92. I am always trying to get my kids off the computer…imagine their surprise if I assigned it for their school! Kidcoder sounds like a great one to try. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  93. This program sounds wonderful…and I wasn’t even thinking about anything like this for next year. But after reading your post, I realized how important a skill this is to have–and that my son would LOVE IT! Thank you for bringing this product to my awareness. If I don’t win a copy, I will definitely buy it. :)

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  94. I started this in a CO-OP without computers. My computer was messed up and so we could not really even get started. I still have my notebook but no program because we had a co-op teacher. I have a seventh grader and two rising freshman–I wish I could win this!

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  112. Amy~ What is your son’s “natural bent”? My oldest seems to take after his dad and is definitely a computer guy. But I would like to steer him in other directions as well but I’m not sure which direction to go. I keep wondering, “If there were no such thing as computers, what would he do with his life?”

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    • My son is a strategist. He loves to organize people. And he is a natural public speaker. At this point, we are guiding him into paths that require him to hone these skills and learn what it means to lead people without dragging them. ;) However, in our world, computers are a part of our everyday life. It’s not all bad.

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