Context of the Standard

Computing enables people to use creative development processes to create computational artifacts for creative expression or to solve a problem. 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.  A computational artifact is anything created by a human using a computer.

In fifth grade, students are expected to use block based or text based programming to develop basic programs that include sequences, loops, variables, and conditional statements.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• Use loops, variables, and conditionals when creating block or text-based programs.
• Understand that computing devices can be used as a means for creative expression.
• Explain different types of creative products that can be generated using a computing device (e.g. computer games, interactive stories, graphic design, programs, music, and movies).
• Determine an original problem and create a solution using a text or block based program.

Students should investigate these concepts:

• When might you use an if-statement in a program that is designed for creative expression?
• What are examples of different creative products that you can make using a program?

Students should apply these terms in context:

• Algorithm
• Variable
• Conditional (if-statement)