Context of the Standard

When an algorithm or a set of algorithms is tested, a program has been created.  People work together to plan, create and test these programs.  This process of planning, creating, and testing program is called programming and is used to create a wide variety of products such as video games, interactive art projects and digital stories.

The sequencing of tasks and the testing of programs can be done with or without the use of a computer.  When it is done without a computer it is considered an unplugged activity.  Unplugged activities allow students to understand the sequencing and testing process in a concrete way.  Unplugged activities can be found at sites such as CS Unplugged.

Programs can also be developed and tested using computer applications; these are referred to as plugged activities.  Students may use block based programs to sequence steps as they develop simple computer programs.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• As a class, construct a sequence of steps to accomplish an activity (unplugged).
• Recognize that a sequence of steps when using a computer is called a program.
• As a class or individually, use a block based programming language (e.g., Scratch Jr.) or unplugged activity to complete a simple task as a form of creative expression.
• Model the steps of a program using coding cards or similar instructional strategy.
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Students should investigate these concepts:

• How would you describe a series of steps that you do every day to complete an activity (brushing your teeth, putting on a shirt, etc)?
• Why is it important that some tasks have a beginning, middle, and end?
• What would happen if a set of instructions was begun in the middle, rather than at the beginning?
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Students should be introduced to these concepts:

• Algorithm
• Program
• Sequence
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