Learning to Code in our Elementary-world is not only fun but engages Students and strengthens critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and enhances their digital fluency! A win-win-win! If the app comes with a web-based version, it's an even bigger winner as it reaches a larger audience.
Still....you just can't beat this list of great apps:
Hopscotch - (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-programming-made/id617098629?mt=8) - Available Free in iTunes for iPad & iPhone users. The School Edition is $9.99 (presently) which unlocks all characters & options. Once launched, choose a character & give it a fun nickname, then the 'world' opens up to a large assortment of things that can be made...start from scratch with a blank project, create games, drawings, build a webpage, make sounds and so much more. Once selected, a video pops up giving step-by-step instructions on how to create your selection. Menus of blocks to choose from allows for new characters, movements, colors, texts, etc.
I'm really impressed by this app - not only for how easy it is, but because of the detail in every activity. The final product is quite remarkable. I rate this for 2nd Grade Friends and up.
Daisy the Dinosaur - (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278?mt=8) Also by Hopscotch Technologies, is a Free download in the App Store and also can be used for iPhones and iPads. This is more for our younger friends in Kindergarten to 2nd Grade. Choose from 'Free-Play' mode or 'Challenge' mode. Essentially, the user uses a set of blocks which tell 'Daisy' which way to go, grow, shrink, turn and more. When 'Play' is tapped, Daisy performs the set of instructions. I like how in 'Challenge' mode, the user is given either encouraging words to keep trying or very positive comments congratulating the user, like 'You are an amazing coder!'....thank you very much! 
Kodable - (https://www.kodable.com/) - comes Free in the iTunes Store with approximately 20 levels, beyond that, there is an In-App purchase that unlocks all other levels and characters for $6.99 (presently). Essentially, the user moves directional arrows to tell the fuzzy friend which way to go and to pick up coins along the way. It can get a bit tricky in the higher levels. I like the leveling-up, the music is pleasant, the step-by-step instructions are easy for our younger friends and, quite honestly, I think it's fun! I've used this app with Kinder-Friends up to 2nd Grade. 
Scratch Jr. - (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086?ls=1&mt=8) - Free app for iPad & Android tablets. It is the younger version of the remarkable Scratch app that older kids have enjoyed for years now. Scratch Jr. uses the same blockly coding styles as the others. The user can change the character, colors, texts, backgrounds, directions and more. I think that this is a great app for digital storytelling, as well as coding and is perfect for Centers, as a reward for great PBIS behaviors, free-time, any lesson that showcases critical thinking and more. My wish is that there were a web-based version as well. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
Tynker - (https://www.tynker.com/) - Available web-based as well as for iPad & Android users. I think this is great programming for Elementary-aged Students! It has unique games, characters, easy to tinker blockly style coding and more. Basic levels are free, but to unlock more involved levels comes at a price. During Hour of Code, Students in our Lab could choose between Tynker and other programs....many opted for Tynker, especially the free-drawing program that creates spiral pictures. I rate this for older Students in 3rd Grade and up for content, levels, etc.
I've come to appreciate the fact that Coding is an important tool for Students and am encouraged at so many brilliant applications available for our Elementary-Friends!
Elana Moore
