Grades K - 2

CS Unplugged & Intro to Coding

Unplugged activities that are done without a computer are a great way to introduce new CS topics as described in the above video developed by University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

A great way to introduce computer science beginning in the younger grades is through activities that do not require a computer whatsoever, also referred to as unplugged. Students can practice with CS concepts including computational thinking by making choices, performing if/then statements, etc. This assists young students (as well as older students) understand CS fundamentals. Students can also move from unplugged to block-based programming during this time.

Learn: Watch the video to learn how CS concepts like computational thinking and design learning can be introduced to students as young as kindergarten without even a computer.
Practice: Practice doing an unplugged CS activity by printing Bitt Bott Explores the World Coding Activity to learn how to introduce CS concepts without a computer.
Identify your Implementation Method: Now that you've experienced some unplugged coding, your next decision is to decide how to bring this to your school.
1. 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 annually.
2. 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 16-hour unit will be taught in 2nd 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

Code.org: https://curriculum.code.org/csf-18/

Courses: CS Fundamentals
- Grade K: Course A
- Grade 1: Course B
- Grade 2: Course C
Minimum Hours: 20 Hours for each course
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

San Francisco Unified School District Creative Computing K-2 Curriculum (https://sites.google.com/sfusd.edu/k-2cs/home)

Courses:
- Grade K: Red
- Grade 1: Orange
- Grade 2: Yellow
Minimum Hours: 20 Hours for each course
Cost: No Cost
Additional Details: Approximately 4 units with 15-20 lessons total "designed to be implemented in 45 to 60-minute periods approximately once per week".

Wonder Workshop Dash & Dot

Course: Learn to Code
Minimum Hours: 6 Hours for each grade
Cost: Upfront cost for robots & annual subscription for LMS
Additional Details: Can be integrated with Code.org to extend courses over the course of a year

Integrated / Grade Band

Apple

Curriculum: Apple Get Started with Code 1
Minimum Hours: 30 Hours
Cost: No Cost (for the curriculum but requires specific Apple hardware)
Additional Details: Requires iPads

Code.org

Curriculum: Pre-reader Express
Minimum Hours: 16 Hours
Cost: No Cost
Additional Details: Combines CS Fundamentals Courses A and B

Computer Science for All

Curriculum: Computational Media Explorer: Computing through Time
Minimum Hours: 16-20 Hours
Cost: No Cost
Additional Details: Lessons and activities developed by the NY City Department of Education

CS Unplugged: https://csunplugged.org/en/topics/

Curriculum: Five units
Minimum Hours: 3-5 hours for each unit; Units do not need to be taught sequentially
Cost: No Cost
Additional Details: Lessons and activities developed by the University of Canterbury in New Zealand to introduce the concepts related to programming

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