Introduce: Parallelism

Lesson Overview

Students will be introduced to the computer science concept of parallelism through plugged and unplugged activities. A variety of activities are included below to provide the teacher with choice around best supporting their students' comprehension of this concept.

Agenda

  1. ⭐️ Introduce: Use the pages in the Blue Workbook to introduce students to parallelism. (5-10 min.)

  2. 🤖 Engage: Select from the activities below to engage students in learning about parallelism and what they do in computer programs. (35-50 min.)

  3. 📓 Reflect: (5 min.)

    • How to explain parallelism to a friend?

    • Can you think of any way Parallelism is used in real life?

Materials

  • varies, based on the activities selected from below

  • Blue Level Student Workbooks, p. 4-5

Unplugged Activity:

Learn about parallelism using this unplugged activity.

Parallelism in Scratch:

Vocabulary

parallelism: sets of instructions that run at the same time

Standards

  • CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.

  • CA CSS 3-5.AP.17 Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.

  • CA CSS 3-5.AP.18 Perform different roles when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development.