Course B
Course B was developed with first graders in mind. Tailored to a novice reading level, this course also assumes limited knowledge of shapes and numbers.
At the moment, Course B closely parallels Course A, but provides more complex unplugged activities and more variety in puzzles. Students will learn the basics of programming, collaboration techniques, investigation and critical thinking skills, persistence in the face of difficulty, and internet safety. At the end of this course students will create their very own custom game from Play Lab that they can share with a link.
Modifications for Virtual and Socially-Distanced Classrooms
Are you teaching in a virtual setting or in a socially-distanced classroom?
Check out our modifications for Course B for suggestions and resources to modify the curriculum as needed for your current teaching situation.
Persistence
Computer science requires persistence. We've created two short picture books and an optional activity to model ways to approach struggle and problem solving in a way that young students can understand. Read these stories with your class any time you want to introduce or reinforce persistence. After reading, you can even complete Stevie's big "marble run" project with your class!
Picture Book: Unspotted Bugs Slides | Video
Picture Book: Stevie and the Big Project Slides | Video
Optional Activity: Marble Run Teacher Guide
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
Digital Citizenship
Lesson 1: Digital Trails
Unplugged | Online Safety
- Watch: Follow the Digital Trail (5 min)
- Play: Animal Tracks (15 min)
- Review: OK to Share? (15 min)
- Wrap Up: Pause & Think Moment (5 min)
- Extended Learning
Learn about your digital footprint and how to stay safe when visiting websites.
Teacher Links: Slide Deck | Lesson Video Student Links: Student Handout | Student Handout
Sequencing
Lesson 2: Move It, Move It
Unplugged | Sequencing
- Warm Up (20 min)
- Activity: Move It, Move It (20 minutes)
- Wrap-up (10 min)
- Extended Learning
Program your classmates to step carefully from place to place.
Teacher Links: Worksheet Answer Key | Teacher Video Student Links: Map Activity | Worksheet
Lesson 3: Sequencing with Angry Birds
Skill Building | Sequencing
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Bridging Activity - Drag and Drop (10 - 15 min)
- Main Activity (20 - 30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
- Extension Activities
Help Red the Angry Bird follow the path to the naughty pig.
Teacher Links: Teacher Video Student Links: Emotion Images | | Manipulatives | Map Activity | Student Video
Lesson 4: Programming with Angry Birds
Skill Building | Sequencing
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Bridging Activity - Choose One (10 min)
- Previewing Online Puzzles as a Class (3 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
- Extended Learning
Create programs to help the Angry Bird move through the maze.
Student Links: Manipulatives | Student Video | Map Activity | Handout | Manipulatives
Lesson 5: Programming with Harvester
Skill Building | Sequencing
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
Help the Harvester collect vegetables along a path.
Student Links: Emotion Images
Loops
Lesson 6: 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: Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Unplugged Video | Worksheet | Assessment
Lesson 7: Loops with Harvester
Skill Building | Loops
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Bridging Activity - Loops (10 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
- Extended Learning
Help the Harvester collect even more, using loops!
Teacher Links: Lesson Recommendations Student Links: Manipulatives
Lesson 8: Loops with Laurel
Skill Building | Loops
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Online Foundation: Preview Loops in Collector
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
Program Laurel the adventurer to collect treasure in an open cave.
Lesson 9: Drawing Gardens with Loops
Skill Building | Loops
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
Use patterns and loops to finish the images.
Impacts of Computing
Lesson 10: The Right App
Unplugged | Impacts of Computing
- Warm Up (5 - 10 min)
- Activity (35 min)
- Wrap Up (5 min)
Sketch your own smartphone app.
Student Links: Slide Deck
Events
Lesson 11: The Big Event Jr.
Unplugged | Events
- Warm Up (15 min)
- Main Activity (15 min)
- Wrap Up (10 min)
- Assessment (10 min)
- Extended Learning
Move or shout when your teacher presses buttons on a giant remote.
Teacher Links: Assessment Answer Key Student Links: Unplugged Video | Controller Image | Assessment
Lesson 12: A Royal Battle with Events
Application | Events
- Warm Up (10 min)
- Bridging Activity - Events (10 min)
- Main Activity (30 min)
- Wrap Up (5 - 10 min)
- Extended Learning
Use events to create a story or make an interactive game.