Overview
The Custom Starter Code feature on CodeHS allows teachers to send a copy of their own code to students as a starting point for assignments or projects. This can be a powerful way to differentiate instruction, provide scaffolding, or connect coding to classroom content.
Watch the video overview: Sharing Starter Code
How to Push Custom Starter Code
Navigate to your Teacher Playground
Create or Import a program
Click on the “More” menu (three dots)
Select Share Starter Code with Section
Use the drop down menu to Choose the Section(s) you want to send it to
Click Share
Each student will receive an individual, editable copy of the pushed custom starter code in their sandbox or assignment- ready for them to explore and build upon.
Use Cases for Custom Starter Code
Custom Starter Code is versatile and supports a variety of instructional strategies:
🧩 Extension Activities
Send enrichment projects to early finishers to keep them engaged and challenged.
🛟 Scaffolding for Struggling Students
Provide partially completed code to reduce cognitive load and help students focus on key concepts.
🐞 Debugging Exercises
Share broken code and ask students to find and fix bugs. This helps build resilience and problem-solving skills.
🕰️ Catch-Up Work
Send code to students who were absent so they can easily pick up where the class left off.
🎉 Seasonal Projects
Celebrate holidays or classroom events with themed starter code (e.g., winter animations, Valentine's card generator).
🧪 Customized Lesson Projects
Modify a lesson’s activity to better fit your classroom needs—change instructions, simplify code, or allow for open-ended creativity.
📚 Cross-Curricular Connections
You can link coding to other subjects by providing starter code for:
Animating a scene from a book
Simulating a science process
Building a history timeline
Tips for Pushing Custom Starter Code
Starter Code created in your Teacher Playground can be reused or updated at any time.
You can push the same starter code to multiple sections.
You can also use Scratch Graphic Organizer Templates available on the Teacher Resources page. Add these to your Playground and push them to students to support customized lessons and scaffold planning for their Scratch projects.
CodeHS Elementary Curriculum is included with an Elementary License. If you believe you should have access to the Elementary Portal, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager or send an email to hello@codehs.com.