Grades 6 - 8
From Block to Text-based Programming
Many universities introduce CS through block-based programming to assist students transition to a text-driven language.
The middle school grades opens up a larger number of curriculum providers with a focus on transitioning students from the block to a text-based programming language. As in the younger grades, the first choice to make is to determine if CS will be offered as an elective each year as a structured sequence. If not, schools will have to determine when during the middle school grades to introduce a CS course a minimum during one of the three years or identify opportunities within the core content curriculum to integrate CS activities.
- Learn: Watch the video to learn why block-based programming can assist students transition to a text-based programming language.
- Practice: Practice some advanced coding using a block-based programming language to create your own
Dance Party. - Identify your Implementation Method: Now that you've experienced some advanced block-based coding, your next decision is to decide how you may bring this to your school.
- Option 1 - Sequential: Time and staff permitting, CS can be offered once or twice a week or as a four-six week long course sequentially each year so students learn new concepts in each year.
- Option 2 - Integrated / Grade Band: If sequential is not possible, CS can be introduced in an integrated fashion with an existing subject (math, science, etc.) OR taught during a select grade over the grade band (ex/ the 20 hour unit can be taught in 8th grade).
- Select your Curricular Resource: Now that you've identified how to incorporate CS in your school, review and select one of the following curricular resources from either the left or right column below.
Sequential
Apple
- Curriculum: Swift Playgrounds Learn to Code 1, 2, & 3
- Grade 6: Learn to Code 1
- Grade 7: Learn to Code 2
- Grade 8: Learn to Code 3
- Minimum Hours: Approximately 45 hours for each grade
- Cost: No Cost (for the curriculum but requires specific Apple hardware)
- Additional Details: Requires iMacs and iPads
Code.org: https://curriculum.code.org/csf-18/
- Curriculum: CS Discoveries
- Grade 6: Unit 1 - Problem Solving and Unit 2 - Web Development
- Grade 7: Unit 3 - Animations and Games and Unit 4 - The Design Process
- Grade 8: Unit 5 - Data and Society and Unit 6 - Physical Computing
- Minimum Hours: 16-20 Hours for each grade
- Cost: No Cost however teacher professional development is offered as a surcharge
- Additional Details: Code.org is one of the only CS curricula available designed to be implemented each grade with sequenced lessons and scaffolded topics
Wonder Workshop - Cue
- Course: Applied Robotics
- Minimum Hours: 10 Hours for each grade
- Cost: Upfront cost for robots & annual subscription for LMS
- Additional Details: Can be integrated with Code.org to extend lessons over the course of a year
Integrated or Grade Band
Code.org - Grade Band
- Curriculum: CS Discoveries
- Minimum Hours: Six (6) 16-20 hours unites
- Cost: No Cost
- Additional Details: Same as sequential but schools can select individual units as opposed to teaching all six in sequence.
Code.org - Integrated
- Algebra: Bootstrap 20-hour free module
- Science: Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically) 20-hour free module
- Cost: No Cost
- Additional Details: Same as sequential but schools can select individual units as opposed to teaching all six in sequence.
Computer Science for All
- Curriculum: Computational Media Creator: Build My City
- Minimum Hours: 16-20 Hours
- Cost: No Cost
- Additional Details: Lessons and activities developed by the NY City Department of Education
Google Education
- Curriculum: CS First
- Minimum Hours: Seven (7) units that each include approximately eight activities and 10 hours each
- Cost: No Cost
- Additional Details: Free CS lesson plans developed by Google Education
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
- Courses: PLTW Gateway
- Minimum Hours: Approximately 45 hours
- Cost: ~$750/school plus additional cost for teacher professional development
- Additional Details: PLTW is a national recognized engineering program