1. Why Cs?
Overview & Core Ideas
Overview
Students will learn about the world of computer science and the connections between cs and issues, activities, products and media that are relevant in their lives. Students will learn they can become producers of CS products as well as consumers by creating apps. They will be introduced to the idea that CS is a collaborative and social experience in the way that people create using CS and how CS affects communities.
Purpose
To learn about the world of computer science and how it can relate to students’ lives, including future careers
To connect students’ awareness of issues, activities, products, media, and people important to them to computer science and possibly other subject areas.
To understand that as well as being consumers of CS products, they can be creators with computer science to express their needs and interests.
To begin engaging in the collaborative and social experience of CS
Explore App Lab and the Code.org resources
Explore, Investigate, and Practice block-based coding
Understand that computers follow literal directions
Understand that computers follow directions in a sequence
Students will play in the programming environment to make simple, exploratory programs to gain familiarity programming
Core Ideas
Having computer science skills and knowledge is important to being productive adults and citizens
Anyone can learn to program and do computer science; computer science is not just for some and not others
Computer science is another way to explore and express student interests
People control computers through code.
Computers have a limited vocabulary and follow directions literally; they cannot read a programmer's mind.
Computers follow directions in a sequence
Links:
Slide Deck - Unit 1 Overview and Resources
Video - About Code.org
Reference - App Lab Basics Guide
Resource Links - Unit Resources
Core Modules
Module 1
Apps for Social Good - Connecting CS with Community
Overview: A framing or kick-off module can connect apps to kids lives, their communities, and relevant topics, such as science, civics, and art. YOU AND THE STUDENTS WILL USE IDEAS GENERATED FROM OR RELATED TO THIS MODULE THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM.
Students will define identity and community within their environment
Students will understand computer science as a creative endeavor that uses digital technology to create and express meaning.
Students will understand how apps can be used as a communication medium.
Purpose: Establish Culturally Responsive Approach to CS and student and/or class topics.
Focus on getting to know your students and their interests.
How do they define their identity? How do they define community?
What will be your class's definition for community benefit? How will you motivate your students?
How will you incorporate digital literacy and computer science? As a communication medium? Topic? Subject matter learning tool?
Choice 1: Vision Boards
Students will create a class slide deck to express who they are and to get to know their classmates. As students create their vision boards, they explore their identities and the concept of community in preparation for designing apps that can serve their communities. They will also learn about media fair use.
These vision boards can become the basis for a plan for students' initial simple apps. After exploring students' interest via vision boards, brainstorm how
Core
Lesson Plan - Vision Boards w_fair use.docx
Choice 2: Inventing a Better World: Connecting apps to students' lives
Core
Slide Deck - Inventing a Better World
Civics Connection
This module can address stages one and two for Student-Led Civics Projects as described in the Massachusetts DESE Civics Project Guidebook: Examining Self and Community and Identifying an Issue.
Alternatively, teachers can adapt their own stage one and two lessons for this module by including the following consideration:
How will you inc digital literacy and computer science? As a communication medium? Topic? Subject matter learning tool?
Unplugged Module
CS Unplugged & the PBJ (beginners)
Overview:
The Peanut Butter and Jelly Lesson Plan is an unplugged activity about sequencing and literalness in computer science. By doing this activity, students experience the concepts of literalness and sequencing as applied to sandwich-making to help them understand the concept when they program.
Purpose:
Students become familiar with the App Lab platform and apps.
Links:
Slide Deck - Unplugged Activity: Peanut Butter & Jelly
Lesson Plan - Peanut Butter & Jelly
Video - Scott Jernigan: Programming with a PBJ Sandwich
Module 1.5
Writing Your First Computer Program (beginners)
Overview
This lesson introduces the Computer Science concepts of coding and programming (using blocks), as well as simple debugging techniques.
Using drag and drop programming you will "play" a game-like, self-directed tutorial starring video lectures by Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies.
Purpose
Students will explore and practice using repeat-loops, conditionals, and basic algorithms.
Links:
Slide Deck - Writing your first Computer Program
Lesson Plan - Writing Your First Computer Program
Resource - Unit 1 Module 3 CRC Prompt-Hour of Code
Unit 1 Module 3 CRC Prompt-Hour of Code
Module 2
CS for All and App Lab
Overview:
In this module, present the the CSForAll message, introduce students to the APP Lab platform, and present examples of App Lab apps. Intro to App Lab is Lesson 7 in Code.org's hour of code.
Students do the Introduction to app lab Levels 1-4 in Code. org. Students with coding experience may move faster through the tutorial. Plan for students with different beginning skill levels, giving extra support to some and providing guidance about moving ahead to others.
Purpose:
Discuss the CS for All message
Students become familiar with the App Lab platform and apps
Students do Code Studio tutorials
Teachers learn about students' experience with coding
Links:
Slide Deck - App Lab & CS for All
Video - About Code.org
Lesson Plan - Guide to Intro to App by Jackie Rowen
Lesson Plan - Introduction to App Lab (CS Pathways)
Activity - Intro to App Lab Tutorial: Level 1
Reference - Code.org's Teachers' Guide intro to App Lab
Reference - App Lab Basics Guide
Module 3
Computer Science Vocabulary and Concepts
Overview:
Learners of all ages should get an introductory experience/lesson with vocabulary related to coding and computer science. This experience/lesson should be routinized and revisited as new vocabulary and concepts get introduced.
Purpose:
Introduction to important vocabulary utilized throughout computer science.
Links:
Slide Deck - Computer Science Vocabulary & Concepts
Lesson Plan - Coding Vocabulary
Lesson Plan - Word Wall: Vocabulary Lesson
Activity - App Lab Quizlet/Flashcards
Activity - Flocabulary Vocabulary
Activity - Kahoot Vocabulary
Reference - Code.org Computer Science Glossary
More
Understanding the Process
One Approach to CS Pathways by Barbara Campbell
Objective: Teachers will be able to identify vocabulary needed for unit of study, create an account at Code.org, setup a Google Classroom for use with unit of study. Understand that they will make a planbook or GC for this unit of study, create a sample content based app to use as an example for their students, and complete an hour of coding using Intro to App Lab.
Links:
Resource & Lesson Plans - APP Lab Unit - Teacher AppLab PD
Resource & Lesson Plans - Barbara's CS Curriculum Website
App Lab Basics
An App Lab Basics Guide
Here are two resources that can help you get started and find your way around using App Lab.
Links:
Reference - App Lab Basics Guide
Video - App Lab: Introduction
CRC
Vision Boards
Vision Boards
As students create their vision boards, they explore their identities and the concept of community in preparation for designing apps that can serve their communities. Vision boards are a way for teachers and students to learn about each other and how computer science can connect to their lives.
Links:
Lesson Plan - Vision Board Lesson w_fair use.docx
Example - Rowen Vision board.pptx
Video - How To Make A Vision Board | 2021 SIMPLE
Apps and Code
Garima Vision Board App
The Site is under construction!