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Express

CS Fundamentals Express combines the best of Courses A-F into a single condensed course. We recommend Courses A-F for most classrooms, but if your school only offers one computer science course or you want to have your students work through multiple courses in a single year, the Express course is a better choice.

Lesson 1: Graph Paper Programming

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Optional Assessment (10 min)
  • Extended Learning

In this lesson, you will program your friend to draw pictures!

Teacher Links: Teacher Video | Lesson in Action Video | Worksheet Answer Key | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Unplugged Video | Worksheet | Assessment | Reflection Journal

Lesson 2: Programming with Angry Birds

Programming | Algorithms | Maze | Sequencing

  • Warm Up (4 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Programming (10 min)
  • Previewing Online Puzzles as a Class (3 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Learn about sequences and algorithms with Angry Birds.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Worksheet | Manipulatives (PDF) | Reflection Journal

Lesson 3: Relay Programming

Unplugged | Relay Programming | Algorithms

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Remember at the beginning of the course when you made drawings with code? In this lesson, you will be working with a team to do something very similar!

Teacher Links: Image | Unplugged Video | Teacher Video Student Links: | Activity Packet | Reflection Journal

Lesson 4: Debugging with Scrat

Debugging | Bug | Maze

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Find problems in puzzles and practice your debugging skills.

Teacher Links: Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Student Handout | Reflection Journal

Lesson 5: Collecting Treasure with Laurel

Collector | Program | Programming

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Programming (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)

Write algorithms to help Laurel the Adventurer collect lots of gems!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 6: Creating Art with Code

Artist | Sequencing

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (10 - 15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Create beautiful images by programming the Artist.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Student Video | Student Video | Student Handout | Reflection Journal

Lesson 7: Getting Loopy

Unplugged | Loops

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Main Activity (15 min)
  • Assessment (10 min)
  • Wrap-Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

In this lesson, we'll have a dance party using repeat loops!

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Worksheet | Assessment | Reflection Journal

Lesson 8: Loops with Rey and BB-8

Loops | Maze

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Loops (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Help BB-8 through mazes using loops!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 9: Sticker Art with Loops

Loop | Artist

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

In this lesson, loops make it easy to make even cooler images with Artist!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 10: Digital Sharing

  • Warm-Up (Optional) (15 min)
  • Ethical Sharing (30 min)
  • Wrap-Up (10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Teacher Links: Student Links: Video

Lesson 11: Looking Ahead with Minecraft

Conditional | Minecraft

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Avoid the lava! Here you will learn about conditionals in the world of Minecraft.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 12: Nested Loops in Maze

Nested Loops | Loops | Bee | Maze

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Loops inside loops inside loops. What does this mean? This lesson will teach you what happens when you place a loop inside another loop.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 13: Snowflakes with Anna and Elsa

Loop | Nested Loop | Frozen

  • Warm Up (15)
  • Main Activity (30)
  • Wrap Up (15)

Anna and Elsa have excellent ice-skating skills, but need your help to create patterns in the ice. Use nested loops to create something super COOL.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 14: While Loops with the Farmer

While Loops | Loops | Farmer

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning
  • Bridging Activity (15 min)

Loops are so useful in coding. This lesson will teach you about a new kind of loop: while loops!

Teacher Links: Teacher Prep Guide | Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 15: Until Loops in Maze

Conditional | Loop | Maze | Angry Bird | Zombie

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Bridging Activity (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

You can do some amazing things when you use until loops!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 16: Conditionals with Cards

Conditionals | Unplugged

  • Warm Up (20 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Assessment (5 min)
  • Extended Learning

It's time to play a game where you earn points only under certain conditions!

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Lesson in Action Video | Teacher Prep Guide | Assessment | Assessment Video | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 17: If/Else with Bee

Conditional | Bee | Maze

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Conditionals (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Now that you understand conditionals, it's time to program Bee to use them when collecting honey and nectar.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 18: Harvesting with Conditionals

Conditional | Loop | Harvester

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

It's not always clear when to use each conditional. This lesson will help you get practice deciding what to do.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 19: Songwriting

Unplugged | Function

  • Warm Up (20 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 min)
  • Assessment (5 min)
  • Extended Learning

Even rockstars need programming skills. This lesson will teach you about functions using lyrics from songs.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Lesson in Action Video | Worksheet | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 20: Functions in Minecraft

Functions | Minecraft

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Functions (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Can you figure out how to use functions for the most efficient code?

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 21: Functions with Harvester

Function | Harvester

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Functions will save you lots of work as you help the farmer with her harvest!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 22: Functions with Artist

Function | Artist

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Make complex drawings more easily with functions!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 23: Screen Out the Mean

Common Sense Education | Cyberbullying | Unplugged

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Main Activity (35 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Assessment (5 - 10 min)

In this lesson, you'll learn what to do if something online makes you feel angry, sad, or scared.

Teacher Links: Teacher Prep Guide | Website | Resource List Student Links: Student Handout | Reflection Journal

Lesson 24: Determine the Concept

Bee

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

We aren't giving away any secrets! This lesson could use any of the skills you've learned so far.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 25: The Big Event

Unplugged | Events

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (15 min)
  • Wrap Up (10 min)
  • Assessment (10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Play a fun game to learn about events.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Worksheet | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 26: Build a Flappy Game

Flappy | Event

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Events (10 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (10 - 15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Build you own Flappy Bird game however you like, then share it with your friends!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 27: The Power of Words

Common Sense Education | Cyberbullying

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Main Activity (35 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Assessment (10 min)

Bullying is never okay. This lesson will teach you about what is and isn't okay to say online.

Teacher Links: Teacher Prep Guide | Lesson Video | Website | Resource List Student Links: Emotion Images | Reflection Journal

Lesson 28: Envelope Variables

Unplugged | Variable

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (10 min)
  • Assessment (10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Envelopes and variables have something in common: both can hold valuable things. Here you will learn what variables are and the awesome things they can do.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Worksheet | Worksheet Answer Key | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 29: Variables with Artist

Variable | Artist

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Bridging Activity - Variables (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Don't forget to bring creativity to class! In these puzzles you will be making fantastic drawings using variables.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Student Video | Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 30: Changing Variables with Bee

Variables | Bee

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

This bee loves variables!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 31: Changing Variables with Artist

Variable | Artist

  • Warm Up (5 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

In this lesson, you'll make drawings using variables that change as the program runs.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Student Video | Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 32: For Loop Fun

Unplugged | For Loops

  • Warm Up (20 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Assessment (5 min)
  • Extended Learning

You're going to have loads of fun learning about for loops!

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Key | Teacher Video | Lesson in Action Video | Worksheet | Worksheet Answer Key | Assessment Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 33: For Loops with Bee

For Loop | Bee

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Bridging Activity - For Loops (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Buzz buzz. In these puzzles you will be guiding a bee to nectar and honey using for loops!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives | Reflection Journal

Lesson 34: For Loops with Artist

For Loop | Artist

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Get ready to make your next masterpiece. Here you will be using for loops to make some jaw-dropping pictures.

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 35: Learning Sprite Lab

Event | Sprite Lab

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Learn how to create and edit sprites.

Teacher Links: | Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 36: Alien Dance Party

Event | Sprite Lab

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Practice making games to share with your friends and family.

Teacher Links: | Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 37: Pet Giraffe

Event | Sprite Lab

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (30 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)

Make your own pet giraffe!

Teacher Links: Website | Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 38: Explore Project Ideas

Project | Define | Prepare | Try | Revise | Reflect

  • Day 1 - Explore Project Ideas (45 min)
  • Day 2 - The Design Process (45 min)
  • Day 3 - Build Your Project (45 min)
  • Day 4 (Recommended for 5th Grade) - Revise Your Project (45 min)
  • Day 5 & 6 - Present Your Project (45 min each)
  • Extension Activity

Time to get some inspiration! These puzzles will show you a handful of pre-built games and illustrations to help develop your plan for your BIG project.

Teacher Links: | Teacher Prep Guide | Worksheet | Rubric | Website |

Lesson 39: The Design Process

Project

  • Day 2 - The Design Process (45 min)

Projects this big take time and plenty planning. Here, you will learn about the design process that you'll use to build your own creation.

Lesson 40: Build Your Project

Project

  • Day 3 - Build Your Project (45 min)

Finally you can start building your project!

Lesson 41: Revise Your Project

Project

  • Day 4 - Revise Your Project (45 min)

Rome wasn't built in a day and your project shouldn't be, either. Take time to edit and revise your project to make it the best it can be.

Lesson 42: Present Your Project

Project

  • Day 5 & 6 - Present Your Project (45 min each)

Time to show your work! Here you will be presenting your awesome project to your peers.

Lesson 43: Binary Bracelets

Unplugged | Binary

  • Warm Up (15 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (5 min)
  • Assessment (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

Create your very own binary bracelet and learn how computers remember information!

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Lesson in Action Video | Worksheet | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Student Video | Reflection Journal

Lesson 44: Binary Images

Binary | Unplugged

  • Warm Up (10 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (10 min)
  • Assessment (10 min)
  • Extended Learning

Learn how computers store pictures using simple ideas like on and off.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Worksheet | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key | Thinkersmith Lesson Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 45: Binary Images with Artist

Binary | Artist

  • Warm Up (15)
  • Main Activity (30)
  • Wrap Up (15)

In this lesson, you will learn how to make images using on and off.

Teacher Links: Website

Lesson 46: The Internet

Unplugged | Internet

  • Warm Up (20 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Assessment (5 min)

Ever wondered how information travels across the internet? It's not magic! This lesson will teach you the basics of how the internet works.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Manipulatives | Assessment | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Reflection Journal

Lesson 47: Crowdsourcing

Unplugged | Crowdsourcing

  • Warm Up (20 min)
  • Main Activity (20 min)
  • Wrap Up (15 min)
  • Extended Learning

This lesson will teach you about crowdsourcing, the process of building a project with a team.

Teacher Links: Unplugged Video | Teacher Video | Worksheet Student Links: Reflection Journal