CS Discoveries 2020-2021

Unit 1

Resources

Unit 1 - Problem Solving and Computing

Lesson 1: Intro to Problem Solving
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each group

  • 2 sheets of aluminum foil, 5x5 inches in length each
  • 1 container that can hold 3-5 inches of water
  • Several paper towels or rags that can be placed under the container
  • 15 pennies
  • One copy of the activity guide

For the teacher

  • 1 container that can hold 3-5 inches of water
  • 50 pennies
  • Extra paper towels or rags
Lesson 2: The Problem Solving Process
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each student

  • Print a copy of Activity Guide

For the class

  • Poster paper
  • Markers/colored pencils
Lesson 3: Exploring Problem Solving
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
  • Print the activity guide for each student
  • Scratch paper for the Birthday Party problem
  • Poster to record strategies for defining problems in wrap up discussion
Lesson 4: What is a Computer?
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each group

  • Print out copies of the activity guide. Note there are two sets of pictures, but each group only needs a single set.
  • Scissors (if you will not have time to cut the pictures prior to class)
  • Poster paper
  • Markers or colored pencils
  • Glue or tape to attach pictures
Lesson 5: Input and Output
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
  • Prepare copies of the activity guide
Lesson 6: Processing
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
Lesson 7: Storage
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
  • Print a copy of the activity guide for each student
Lesson 8: Project - Propose an App
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
Lesson 9: Intro to Problem Solving - Newspaper Table (Alternate Lesson 1)
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each group

  • 2 full newspapers for each group of students
  • 1 roll of tape for each group of students
  • One copy of the activity guide

For the teacher

  • 10-20 books of similar weight.
Lesson 10: Intro to Problem Solving - Spaghetti Bridge (Alternate Lesson 1)
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each group

  • 1 pound of dry spaghetti noodles (about 1 box)
  • 1 glue gun
  • One copy of the activity guide

For the teacher

  • 10-20 books of similar size and weight
Lesson 11: Intro to Problem Solving - Paper Tower (Alternate Lesson 1)
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students

For each group

  • 20 sheets of paper, 8.5 x 11 inches
  • Space to build their tower
  • One copy of the activity guide

For the teacher

  • Extra paper
  • Timer
  • Ruler
Lesson 12: Exploring Problem Solving - Animals Theme (Alternate Lesson 3)
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
  • Print the activity guide for each student
  • Prepare tangrams for students, or print out one tangram sheet and get scissors for each group.
  • Poster to record strategies for defining problems in wrap up discussion
Lesson 13: Exploring Problem Solving - Games Theme (Alternate Lesson 3)
Resources Preparation

For the Teachers

For the Students
  • Print the activity guide for each student
  • Scratch paper for the Partner Race Relay problem
  • Poster to record strategies for defining problems in wrap up discussion