TeachCS customizes our programs to meet the needs and goals of your school. We’ll meet your students where they are and design a program with you focused on your goals, budget, and time. The following is a sample sequence for an Elementary-Middle School.
Grade 1
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students are introduced the basics of computing with Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding.
Internet Usage and Online Communication:
Students learn the basics of internet safety with Code.org and Common Sense Media.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students are introduced to programming through a series of unplugged activities and a block based programming language built for pre-readers called Scratch Jr.
Grade 2
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
The “Computing through time” unit will teach students about what makes a computer a computer, their history, and what they might look in the future. Students will interview their parents to learn about what computers were like when they were younger.
Internet Usage and Online Communication:
Students learn the basics of internet safety with Code.org and Common Sense Media.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students create programs with sequencing, loops, and events in Code.org. They translate their initials into binary, investigate different problem-solving techniques, and learn how to respond to cyberbullying. At the end of the course, students create their own game or story.
Keyboarding:
Students begin to build keyboarding skills with typing.com. They’ll document their projects and type up their descriptions.
Grade 3
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students learn about robots and providing directions. They write “code” to direct their classmates and practice debugging.
Internet Usage and Online Communication:
Students learn the basics of internet safety with Code.org and Common Sense Media.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students develop their understanding of nested loops, while loops, conditionals, and events by building creative animations and games with Scratch.
Keyboarding:
Students continue to build keyboarding skills with typing.com and through project documentation.
Grade 4
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students will learn to create presentations using Google Slides. They will learn basic computer skills like keyboard shortcuts, file management, and typing as they create presentations for their final projects. Students will present their final projects to the class and provide constructive feedback to their classmates.
Internet Usage and Online Communication:
Students learn the basics of internet safety and courtesy online.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students learn the basics of how computers function and represent data, problem solving strategies, different types of problems, and how visual programming languages can be used to create interactive, expressive projects. Every activity gives students time to work hands-on, personalize their work, and be creative while applying CS practices and concepts.
Keyboarding:
Students continue to build keyboarding skills with typing.com and through project documentation.
Grade 5
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students will learn to create presentations using Google Slides. They will learn basic computer skills like keyboard shortcuts, file management, and typing as they create presentations for their final projects. Students will present their final projects to the class and provide constructive feedback to their classmates.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students learn to use different kinds of loops, events, functions, and conditionals. They investigate different problem-solving techniques and discuss societal impacts of computing and the internet.
Keyboarding:
Students continue to build keyboarding skills by continuously documenting their work.
Digital Citizenship:
Our curriculum delves into the importance of proper online conduct, safe email habits, and how to navigate the internet safely and securely.
Grade 6
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students build and program physical prototypes with beginner-friendly microcontrollers called micro:bits and learn how to collect and use data from their environment.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students develop a familiarity with the principles of coding by working through Scratch, the M.I.T designed block-based-coding educational platform.
Digital Citizenship:
We stress the importance of safe behavior online. Students are taught to understand the importance of their digital footprint, as well as the power of their words. We teach students the power of their words and the value of showing respect to other online.
Internet Usage and Online Communication:
Students learn about the web by building websites focused on computing topics using HTML and CSS.
Keyboarding:
Students apply their typing skills to their first text based programs.
Grade 7
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students will apply coding in a hands on environment using micro:bits, creating physical objects that respond to their more advanced code. Students will prototype physical interfaces that solve problems and collaborate on projects.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students move from Scratch’s block based coding to text based coding with Woof.sj; a transitional Javascript language.
Students learn text-based Javascript with a creative coding library called p5.js, and use it to create interactive graphics.
Grade 8
Hardware/Software Fundamentals:
Students work with arduinos to combine their programming and physical computing skills. They learn the basics of circuitry and design physical interfaces.
Computational Thinking and Coding Basics:
Students add interactivity to websites using native javascript.
Students learn their second programming language and learn to manipulate data with python.
Advanced Digital Citizenship & Security:
Our course explores the human side of technology and what it means to be a citizen of digital spaces. We consider the implications of our actions online, and equip students with the understanding that online interaction can be even more powerful than human interaction with a lasting digital footprint.
Final Project:
Students collaborate on their final projects. Students learn basic skills in User Experience Design (UX and UI), User Research and Design-Thinking to build a prototype and pitch for Shark Tank Day.