Students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade have begun learning about computer science. In class, we are learning that computer science is the study of how we can use computers to accomplish tasks and to express ourselves.
Our first activities have been "unplugged" -- meaning that we are learning about aspects of how computers and programming work without actually using a computer.
First and second graders learned about algorithms -- a set of steps to complete a task -- by creating step-by-step directions to help our new friend Ruby (from Hello Ruby) visit with each of her friends.
In their second lesson, first and second graders are learning about loops -- a repeated sequence of steps -- by creating their own dance routines.
In kindergarten, we started our work in computer science by drawing what we think computers look like and describing as many of their parts as possible. In our second lesson, students learned that computers use an input from humans to know what to do and then create an output. We learned about some of the ways humans can input information to computers -- microphones, touch screens, keyboards, buttons -- and some of the possible outputs -- a screen display, 2D or 3D printed items, sound, or movement. We then used our imaginations to turn classroom items into computers!
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