CS Problem Solving is designed to expose students to key Computer Science concepts through various problem-solving tasks and activities. Students will learn about the evolution of technology and the significant impact made by pioneering CS figures. By drawing on real-life and interdisciplinary connections, they will be encouraged to consider how CS skills can be applied when developing impactful computing systems. The curriculum introduces Scratch, a visual block-based programming language and a mix of plugged and unplugged activities to turn students into powerful problem solvers. Students will strengthen their problem-solving skills by exploring concepts such as algorithms, programming, debugging, loops, conditionals, and abstraction.

The Integrated Unit for school year 2021-22 has been revamped for in-person computer science instruction. Each of the 13 lesson folders contains all of the resources needed to deliver a high-quality computer science experience to students. In order for students to strengthen their problem solving skills, they will work through the concepts of: algorithms, programming, debugging, loops, conditionals, and abstraction. The first 3 lessons help students make the connection between hardware and software and begin to develop their own algorithms. Lessons 4-13 include a mix of plugged and unplugged lessons designed to prepare students the tools and skills needed to give instructions to a computer!

The computer science lessons for the 2020-21 school have been modified to work in both a blended and remote classroom environment. Each lesson folder contains all of the resources required to deliver computer science education to your students. Lesson plans, digital handouts, slide decks, and more are included!

Creating From Scratch builds off of the prior Computer Science knowledge that students may possess about concepts. In the first part of the unit, students will be re-introduced to the concepts of hardware/software and input/output. Students will create a Scratch account and begin to explore the platform. In order for students to strengthen their problem solving skills, they will work through the concepts of: algorithms, programming, debugging, loops, conditionals, and abstraction. For each concept, students will receive instruction first through an “unplugged” activity. Then, students will apply their knowledge of the concept to a “plugged” activity via Scratch. Towards the end of the unit, students will be tasked with reverse engineering a Scratch project. Students plan on recreating/reverse engineering the Scratch project seen in a previous lesson. The unit culminates with a final project Hackathon or Codeathon performed over the course of multiple days.

Build My City is a unit of computer science (CS) instruction that engages students in remixing and creating visual media using procedures on and off the computer. 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.