Context of the Standard

Computing enables people to use creative development processes to create computational artifacts for creative expression or to solve a problem. A computational artifact is anything created by a human using a computer. Examples of computation artifacts include programs, images, audio, videos, presentations, or web page files.

Computing has the potential to provide students’ opportunities to extend their creative expression to solve problems, create computational artifacts, and develop new knowledge. As students create block and text based programs, they move from being mere consumers of content to engaging in the subject matter by creating computational artifacts.

In third grade, students are expected to use block based or text based programming to develop basic programs that include sequences, loops, and events.  This may be the first time a student uses a text or block-based application to construct programs. Prior grades may have used unplugged activities when integrating computer science standards into instruction.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• Construct programs using text or block-based applications.
• Modify programs to use loops when appropriate.

Students should investigate these concepts:

• How would you write instructions for an action that repeats itself?
• What are different ways that you can signal the start of a program?
• How are loops and events used when constructing programs?
• What are examples of creative products that you can use a sequence to make?

Students should apply these terms in context:

• Algorithm
• Loop
• Repeat
• Event