# CodeHS Middle School Insider: New Skills, Holiday themed projects, and More! Published: 2026-01-21 Category: Newsletter Category URL: https://codehs.com/blog/category/newsletter Tags: Middle School, Course Insider Tag URLs: Middle School (https://codehs.com/blog/tag/middle-school), Course Insider (https://codehs.com/blog/tag/course-insider) URL: https://codehs.com/blog/codehs-middle-school-insider-new-skills-holiday-themed-projects-and-more ![banner](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm264m3an0084qegvyd7aetst/images/middle-school-newsletter-headers-1770070970512-compressed.png) ## **✨ New Year, New Skills** The start of the year is the perfect time for reflection, goal-setting, and fresh momentum! Try this New Year Coding Reset: - If students coded last semester, ask them to write 1 skill they improved. - If students are new, ask them to write 1 thing they’re curious about in coding. - Encourage students to pick one goal for this semester (debugging, comments, collaboration, etc.). This simple routine helps students see coding as a skill they grow over time, not something you’re either “good at” or not. ![Meet the CodeHS Curriculum Developer](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/x13jbr4h/1216770036/ba6eb45f26642addb611fded174f/CcrWFSsVth948705GNlV5NF9R0ET-TqM8_UUYNmcS6M91SJ2IItUTvmaeC12N-UHfsOLw1cs9xuZsSirOS7XdAeppuJLSpnei8NKcqDXlh1HDDxv2UMTnp0tmjnxo7GfEJfVlY-g?expires=1770072300&signature=f8feeb051a774b069cc3876381ff4b999647ddf073a5d03cdff31eadcf45f10e&req=dSImEM55nYFcX%2FMW1HO4zdpYfzrjfpSwyV5BVSMoWHFp8xyBu7CszHCBPmiZ%0A3t%2Fu%0A) ## **💗 Holiday Themed Projects** Bring seasonal energy into your classroom with coding projects. These holiday-themed activities are perfect as enrichment, mini-projects, or creative breaks that still reinforce core CS skills. Featured Projects: - [Valentine Message](https://codehs.com/curriculum/projects/proj-valentine-tracy) with Tracy – Students design a personalized animated message while practicing conditionals. - [Karel’s Shamrock Adventure](https://codehs.com/curriculum/projects/proj-shamrock-javascript) – A fun way to reinforce loops and conditionals as Karel searches for shamrocks. ![Meet the CodeHS Curriculum Developer](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/x13jbr4h/1216778048/913d418d1b7c435fa5c33a6d9a53/CcrWFSsVth948705GNlV5NF9R0ET-TqM8_UUYNmcS6M91SJ2IItUTvmaeC12N-UHfsOLw1cs9xuZsSirOS7XdAeppuJLSpnei8NKcqDXlh1HDDxv2UMTnp0tmjnxo7GfEJfVlY-g?expires=1770072300&signature=113adb728c39c88a6692dad097658b1c6dae77ddc3fb69d4284f6a6baa6984a8&req=dSImEM55lYFbUfMW1HO4zX78DDZMtgNKv2WwqOB0WkCKlkIJNrxKEoPcCrLh%0Ac2R5%0A) ## **🟦 Blocky Update** ![image of code](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm264m3an0084qegvyd7aetst/images/screenshot-2026-02-02-at-4-1770071093435-compressed.png) We’ve upgraded our Blockly version in both the IDE and [Sandbox](https://codehs.com/app/sandbox)! Blockly blocks now look slightly different, but all existing functionality remains the same. This upgrade improves accessibility for block-based coding. Blockly is used for Python Turtle and Music programs. Check It Out in the Sandbox ![Meet the CodeHS Curriculum Developer](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/x13jbr4h/1216778048/913d418d1b7c435fa5c33a6d9a53/CcrWFSsVth948705GNlV5NF9R0ET-TqM8_UUYNmcS6M91SJ2IItUTvmaeC12N-UHfsOLw1cs9xuZsSirOS7XdAeppuJLSpnei8NKcqDXlh1HDDxv2UMTnp0tmjnxo7GfEJfVlY-g?expires=1770072300&signature=113adb728c39c88a6692dad097658b1c6dae77ddc3fb69d4284f6a6baa6984a8&req=dSImEM55lYFbUfMW1HO4zX78DDZMtgNKv2WwqOB0WkCKlkIJNrxKEoPcCrLh%0Ac2R5%0A) ## **🧠 AI Curriculum** CodeHS has an [AI course](https://codehs.com/course/23297/overview) you can plug into your existing curriculum! By introducing AI in computer science classrooms you can prepare students for a technology driven world and students can learn that what may seem like magic is actually just programs and algorithms! Learn More About AI Curriculum ![Meet the CodeHS Curriculum Developer](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/x13jbr4h/1216778048/913d418d1b7c435fa5c33a6d9a53/CcrWFSsVth948705GNlV5NF9R0ET-TqM8_UUYNmcS6M91SJ2IItUTvmaeC12N-UHfsOLw1cs9xuZsSirOS7XdAeppuJLSpnei8NKcqDXlh1HDDxv2UMTnp0tmjnxo7GfEJfVlY-g?expires=1770072300&signature=113adb728c39c88a6692dad097658b1c6dae77ddc3fb69d4284f6a6baa6984a8&req=dSImEM55lYFbUfMW1HO4zX78DDZMtgNKv2WwqOB0WkCKlkIJNrxKEoPcCrLh%0Ac2R5%0A) ## **🧑‍🏫 Upcoming Free Webinar** Equip yourself with strategies to teach students about AI, its workings, limitations, and societal impact. Join the hour long webinar that guides educators on fostering AI literacy, preparing students for a tech-driven future. [**Developing AI Literacy**](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gjm_huT7TSq9JHU4FFkgZg#/registration) Jan 27, 2026 at 5:30 - 6:30pm CT - [RSVP](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gjm_huT7TSq9JHU4FFkgZg#/registration) See Upcoming Webinars ![Meet the CodeHS Curriculum Developer](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/x13jbr4h/1216778048/913d418d1b7c435fa5c33a6d9a53/CcrWFSsVth948705GNlV5NF9R0ET-TqM8_UUYNmcS6M91SJ2IItUTvmaeC12N-UHfsOLw1cs9xuZsSirOS7XdAeppuJLSpnei8NKcqDXlh1HDDxv2UMTnp0tmjnxo7GfEJfVlY-g?expires=1770072300&signature=113adb728c39c88a6692dad097658b1c6dae77ddc3fb69d4284f6a6baa6984a8&req=dSImEM55lYFbUfMW1HO4zX78DDZMtgNKv2WwqOB0WkCKlkIJNrxKEoPcCrLh%0Ac2R5%0A) ## **💬 Stay connected** 1. Follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/CodeHS) and [Instagram](http://instagram.com/codehs) 2. Chat with others in the [CodeHS Educators Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/CodeHSEducators/) 3. Check out the [Middle School Pathways](https://codehs.com/curriculum/pathways/middleschool) Happy Coding, \- The CodeHS Team --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---