Context of the Standard

Algorithms are commonly used in school and at home as students engage in step-by-step activities that are done on a routine basis. Students can create algorithms as they describe and sequence tasks that are part of daily activities. When an algorithm or a set of algorithms is tested, a program has been created.

Programs use sequencing and may include loops and variables; the use of these are dependent on the intended outcome of the program. Students entering fifth grade should have experience with the construction of loops using a wide variety of patterns to include repeating and growing patterns.  

In fourth grade, students learn that variables are used to store and press data.  Variables in a computer program are analogous to "Buckets" or "Envelopes" where information can be maintained and referenced. On the outside of the bucket is a name. When referring to the bucket, we use the name of the bucket, not the data stored in the bucket.  Many programming languages provide variables, which are used to store, modify, and process data. The data type determines the values and operations that can be performed on that data.  Examples of operations that may be used on variables include count and sum.

In fifth grade, algorithms become more complex through the addition of conditionals, or “if-statements.” Conditionals act as gates in programs. They test a true-false condition, if it is true then the code inside the gate, or conditional, runs. If the test is false, then the program skips the code and moves on to the next command. Conditionals refer to statements that require the computer to determine whether to run a specific set of instructions based upon certain criteria being met. Conditionals enable the computer to “make a decision” concerning what set of directions to follow.

Teacher note: the use of the term variable is used across disciplines in fifth grade and students should be aware of how this term can be interpreted or applied differently depending on the discipline context.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• Construct algorithms to include loops, variables, and conditionals.
• Identify a variable in an algorithm.
• Apply the use of variables in a math calculation in an algorithm.
• Assign one or more variables in a computer program to name or categorize data.
• Apply the use of conditionals in an algorithm.

Students should investigate these concepts:

• When should you use an if-statement in an algorithm?
• How do we use variables to complete math problems on a computer?
• When do you assign a variable to an expression or a set of data?
• When you use an if-statement, how does the computer respond to the directions?
• Why are if-statements useful when writing algorithms?

Students should apply these terms in context:

• Algorithm
• Variable
• Conditional (if-statement)