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CodeHS Elementary: Using the CodeHS Playground
CodeHS Elementary: Using the CodeHS Playground

Learn about the CodeHS Elementary Playground

Sara Jenis avatar
Written by Sara Jenis
Updated over 6 months ago

Banner: CodeHS Elementary License Required.

CodeHS Elementary allows you to use the block-based programming environments Scratch and ScratchJr inside of CodeHS! Students can create open-ended projects and complete vertically aligned computer science and interdisciplinary lessons. Scratch and ScratchJr were created by the Scratch Foundation in collaboration with the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, the Developmental Technologies (DevTech) Research Group, and the Playful Invention Company.

Using the CodeHS Playground

The CodeHS Playground is a place where you can complete projects that are assigned by a teacher and create your own open-ended projects. You can start a Scratch or ScratchJr project and create anything that you can imagine! In your Playground, each of your classroom Sections is represented as a folder.

As a teacher, you can access your Playground from the left side navigation bar. Students will automatically be taken to their Playground when they log in to CodeHS.

Gif demonstrating how to access your playground.

Completing Assigned Projects

Projects that have a gift icon are programs that have been assigned by a teacher. Students can click the program to open and work through the assignment. Once a project has been opened, the icon will appear as an opened gift.

Screenshot showing an opened and un-opened assigned project. An opened project has an opened box icon. Unopened project has a closed present box.

Creating New Projects

In addition to completing assigned lessons, students can also create their own projects in the Playground. Using Playground Settings, you can choose if students are able to make a project with Scratch, ScratchJr, or both!

To Create a Project:

  1. Click the blank project with a Plus(+) sign to create a new project.

    Screenshot showing how to create a new project.

  2. Choose your project type.

  3. Start working on your project.

  4. Make sure to click Save before exiting the project.

    1. In Scratch programs, click File > Save to save.

    2. In ScratchJr programs, click the save icon:

      Screenshot of the save icon.

  5. Once you are finished, click the home icon to return to your Playground.

To Rename or Delete a Project:

Click the three dots next to the project to rename or delete it. Students can not rename or delete a project that was assigned by a teacher.

Screenshot showing options the menu for sandbox program.

In Scratch programs, you can also rename the program from within the project:

Screenshot showing how to rename scratch programs.

Teachers Viewing Student Playgrounds

You can easily view all student programs:

From the Roster:

Click the home icon to view a student’s Playground and projects.

Screenshot of home icon on roster page

From a student's Playground you can click the drop down next to their name to view a different student's Playground.

Screenshot of the student's playground selection menu.

From Your Playground :

Click Playground from the left side navigation panel to view your Playground. Use the drop down menu to choose the name of the student you would like to view and click into each project to view student work.

Screenshot of the student's playground, with the Playground link highlighted in the lefthand navigation menu, as well as the student selection menu highlighted.

Still have questions? Contact our team at hello@codehs.com to learn more!

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.

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