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Binary Numbers

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This pen and paper activity shows kids (and adults!) the language computers use to communicate, and provides a good first activity for libraries interested in getting into coding.

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Related Programming Resources

Hints for uses in your library Use this activity in conjunction with activities around creating secret codes and code breaking! Have a group that has learned binary create the secret message, and have a new group try to decode it!
Related Links CS Unplugged - Binary digits
Introduction to Binary [for Kids]
How Computers Work: Binary & Data
Representing Numbers and Letters with Binary: Crash Course Computer Science
Computer Science Field Guide
Understanding the base 10 number system
Scratch
Binary Cards
Binary Bracelets
Originating Source CS Unplugged
Related Books
[Suggest a book] 		Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes
100 Things to Know About Numbers, Computers & Coding by Alex Frith
What are binary and hexadecimal numbers? by Patricia Harris
How to code : a step-by-step guide to computer coding by Max Wainewright
Get coding! by Duncan Beedie
Kids get coding. Learn to program by Heather Lyons, Elizabeth Tweedale and Alex Westgate
Code this! : puzzles, games, challenges, and computer coding concepts for the problem-solver in you! by Jennifer Szymanski
Hello Ruby : adventures in coding by Linda Liukas
How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk
My first coding book by Kiki Prottsman and Molly Lattin
Computer coding for kids by Carol Vorderman

Reviews

 
Rating 
Participants Enjoyed the Activity 
Participants Learned from This Activity 
Activity Instructions Were Clear and Easy to Follow 
Would Recommend 
12/27/2017

A great intro to binary!

The flipping cards and counting dots gave kids a quick, really concrete understanding of counting in binary. The activity definitely felt more academic than some, but as they started to get a feel for the system, the excitement level rose appreciably. The "secret code" aspect seemed to appeal, especially as they got faster at the conversion.

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Binary Numbers

Binary Numbers

This pen and paper activity shows kids (and adults!) the language computers use to communicate, and provides a good first activity for libraries interested in getting into coding.