Course E
Created with fourth grade students in mind, this course begins with a brief review of concepts previously taught in courses C and D. This introduction is intended to inspire beginners and remind the experts of the wonders of computer science. Students will practice coding with algorithms, loops, conditionals, and events before they are introduced to functions. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to create a capstone project that they can proudly share with peers and loved ones.
Journaling
The lessons in this course include journaling prompts. Journals are also useful as scratch paper for building, debugging, and strategizing. Journals can become a fantastic resource for referencing previous answers when struggling with more complex problems.
Think Spot Journal Student Handout
Debugging
From beginners to professionals, debugging is an essential yet often underrated practice. It is likely that your students will find most of their "coding" time is actually spent fixing bugs! To encourage students to take ownership of this practice, we provide this handy reference they can use while coding. Please consult the "Debugging" section of our CS Fundamentals Curriculum Guide for more information on this, as well as other debugging facilitation strategies for your classroom.
Debugging Guide Student Handout
Ramp Up
Lesson 1: Sequencing in the Maze
Skill Building | Ramp Up
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
- Extended Learning
In this lesson, you will learn how to write your very own programs!
Student Links: Manipulatives | Student Handout
Lesson 2: Drawing with Loops
Skill Building | Ramp Up
- 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!
Lesson 3: Conditionals in Minecraft: Voyage Aquatic
Skill Building | Ramp Up
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Extended Learning
Here you will learn about conditionals in the world of Minecraft.
Lesson 4: Conditionals with the Farmer
Skill Building | Ramp Up
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Extended Learning
You will get to tell the computer what to do under certain conditions in this fun and challenging series.
Sprites
Lesson 5: Simon Says
Unplugged | Behaviors
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Main Activity (20 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
Play a game and think about what commands are needed to get the right result.
Lesson 6: Swimming Fish with Sprite Lab
Skill Building | Sprites
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Bridging Activity
- Main Activity (20 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
Learn how to create and edit sprites.
Lesson 7: Alien Dance Party with Sprite Lab
Skill Building | Sprites
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (10 min)
Create an interactive project that can be shared with classmates.
Digital Citizenship
Lesson 8: Private and Personal Information
Unplugged | Online Safety
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Main Activity (35 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Assessment (10 min)
The internet is fun and exciting, but it's important to stay safe too. This lesson teaches you the difference between information that is safe to share and information that is private.
Teacher Links: Teacher Reference | Website Student Links: Student Handout | Student Handout | Student Handout
Lesson 9: About Me with Sprite Lab
Application | Online Safety
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
By creating an interactive poster with SpriteLab, students will apply their understanding of sharing personal and private information on the web.
Teacher Links: Video
Impacts of Computing
Lesson 10: Designing for Accessibility
Unplugged | Impacts of Computing
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Main Activity (35 min)
- Wrap Up (5 min)
In this lesson, students will learn about accessibility and the value of empathy through brainstorming and designing accessible solutions for hypothetical apps.
Student Links: Slide Deck
Nested Loops
Lesson 11: Nested Loops in Maze
Skill Building | Nested Loops
- 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.
Lesson 12: Fancy Shapes using Nested Loops
Skill Building | Nested Loops
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Extended Learning
More nested loops! This time, you get to make some AMAZING drawing with nested loops.
Student Links: Student Handout | Student Video
Lesson 13: Nested Loops with Frozen
Application | Nested Loops
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
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.
Functions
Lesson 14: Songwriting
Unplugged | Functions
- 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: Lesson in Action Video | Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Unplugged Video | Worksheet | Assessment
Lesson 15: Functions in Minecraft
Skill Building | Functions
- 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?
Student Links: Manipulatives
Lesson 16: Functions with Harvester
Skill Building | Functions
- 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!
Lesson 17: Functions with Artist
Skill Building | Functions
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Extended Learning
Make complex drawings more easily with functions!
Student Links: Manipulatives
End of Course Project
Lesson 18: End of Course Project
End of Course Project
- Day 1 - Explore Project Ideas (45 min)
- Day 2 - The Design Process (45 min)
- Day 3 - Build Your Project (45 min)
- Day 4 & 5 - Present Your Project (45 min each)
- Extension Activity
Projects this big take time and plenty of planning. Find your inspiration, develop a plan, and unleash your creativity!