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CS Fundamentals - Types of Lessons

Code.org Computer science Fundamentals Types of Lessons

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ktwist
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5 views

CS Fundamentals - Types of Lessons

Code.org Computer science Fundamentals Types of Lessons

Uploaded by

ktwist
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CS Fundamentals Curriculum Guide

Types of Lessons in CS Fundamentals


Each concept chunk consists of individual lessons, but many of these share common characteristics. Knowing the types
of lessons in this curriculum will help you understand the intent and purpose and your role in teaching.

Context-Setting Lessons Sprites


These lessons introduce students to concepts, usually in a hands-on
way and often without computers (see: Unplugged Activities). Context-
setting lessons consist of teacher-led group activities, videos, Lesson 1: Introducing Sprite Lab
discussions, and worksheets. These lessons should not be skipped as
the concepts covered will be reinforced in subsequent lessons.
12
Lesson 2: Making Sprites
Skill-Building Lessons
Typically involving programming on the computer, these lessons are
12345
designed to give students structured practice with a new tool or Lesson 3: Sprites in Action
concept. Throughout a skill-building lesson, students will write code to
solve puzzles, explore sample programs, make predictions, and apply 12345
what they’ve learned in open-ended contexts. These lessons also
include teacher-led warm-ups, wrap-ups, discussions, videos, and Lesson 4: Mini-Project: Virtual Pet
student reflection.
12345
Mini-Projects Example concept chunk with one context-
These lessons ask students to apply what they have learned by setting lesson, two skill-building lessons,
creating a more extensive program step-by-step. Mini-projects often and one mini-project
include a planning component, where students write their ideas on
paper after exploring sample programs. Mini-projects provide students
with instructions and feedback to help them get started, but all choices
are up to the student by the end of the lesson.

Impacts of Computing
Exploratory Lessons
These lessons introduce essential concepts to learning computer
science but may not be directly related to other lessons in the course. Lesson 18: Designing for Accessibility
These lessons are often self-contained and might even be the only
lesson in a given concept chunk. Unplu
gged
Projects
Activit
Projects are open-ended lessons found at the end of each course. y
Projects include planning guides for students.

Example concept chunk with one


exploratory lesson

End of Course Project

Lesson 19: End of Course Project

An end of course project


CS Fundamentals Curriculum Guide

Types of Levels
When looking at the detailed view of a course page (e.g., studio.code.org/s/coursea), you will notice several different
icons representing different types of levels within a given lesson.

These levels feature Code.org tools, including programming puzzles and environments for creating
Onlin projects. An instructions panel appears on these levels to explain any new content introduced in
the level and provide a checklist of tasks to complete. Teachers can review their students’ code.
e
All CS Fundamentals courses feature great videos for students designed to introduce tools or to
Vide help explain new concepts. Students can watch the videos together as a class or individually on
their computers.
o
Choice levels show up in Course F and provide a menu of additional online levels for students to
Choi complete. Students must do at least one sub-level to complete the activity but may work through
as many as they (or you) like.`
ce
Lesson Extras are an optional area at the end of each lesson where students can revisit concepts
Extra they learned previously by completing extra challenges or open-ended tasks.

s
How do these levels show up in a lesson?
Alongside a level’s icon are labels that indicate the purpose of that level within the lesson. These labels can help you
develop expectations for students or think about your role in teaching.
Skill Building
Students develop skills individually or in pairs by completing targeted Lesson 1: Welcome to Computer
tasks in these levels. You can support them by helping them to develop Science!
Students will learn the basics of computer science.
strong coding practices.

Practice 1 Prediction
Longer skill-building lessons may also include practice levels. These
levels provide students with multiple opportunities to practice skills
learned in the previous levels.
2 Video: Intro to Programming

Exploration
These levels present students with sample programs that use the
concepts they are about to learn or model the projects they are about to 3 Exploration
create. These are best completed in pairs or as a whole-class discussion.

Prediction
These levels also present pre-written code, but students must answer a 4- Skill Building
question before running the code. These levels are not intended to be 8
used for assessment but to encourage careful reading of the code.

Challenge
Challenge levels test students’ persistence and can highlight
4 5 6 7 8
misconceptions. In case it is needed, all challenge puzzles have a “Skip”
button which allows students to move on. 9 Practice

Free Play
CS Fundamentals Curriculum Guide

These levels provided a space to get creative at the end of a lesson, with
no right or wrong answers.
1 Free Play
Mini-Projects 0
In Mini-Project Lessons, these are the levels where students build their
more extensive programs.

Sample lesson with various level types.

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