Computer Science Curriculum for Elementary School

Ellipsis Education computer science curriculum is grade-level differentiated, aligns with all state and national computer science standards, and is continually updated to reflect changes in computer science. Since computer science is more than just coding, Ellipsis Education courses include coding, unplugged, digital citizenship, and STEM career lessons as well as hardware integrations.

In a 21st century society, it is important to teach computer science in elementary school. The earlier students discover computer science, the more skills they will be able to master in the future. The basic building blocks of coding and computer topics for primary school, such as loops, functions, and conditionals, can be applied to more complex languages. As students progress to more advanced projects, such as developing websites, programs, and games, they are motivated to connect with their world and empowered to expand their skills. Students also practice the communication, collaboration, computational thinking, and creative skills they will need to be successful later in their educational careers. What other benefits does K-12 computer science provide? In this blog, we explore computer science education research and how it benefits academic achievement in other subject areas. For example, in this computer science pdf, it was found that students who studied CS achieved greater gains in mathematics than students who did not study CS.

It is clear that computer science in primary schools is not just about coding. Standards for elementary computer curriculum K-5 also include digital citizenship, STEM careers, and more. In a society where children are interacting with technology daily, it is important to foster responsible and creative learning around computer science. That’s why our computer science curriculum for elementary school includes more than just coding. Our lessons include a variety of computer science activities for elementary students. For example, in this free digital citizenship lesson, students learn about safe Internet use, including password safety and creating a good digital footprint. Additionally, we offer a student-friendly My STEM Career podcast, in which we interview STEM professionals. For example, check out this interview about the 3D printing industry.

We understand that teaching computer science is a big task and that takes a lot of preparation and planning. That’s why our lessons include materials, resources, instructions, and assessments. Take a glimpse at the free computer science lesson plans pdf we offer for grades K-5 listed below.

K-2

• Coding – Lunar Loops: Students will participate in a hands-on game introducing the concept of loops. Following the game, they’ll work independently to create their own code program using the loop block.

• Unplugged – Idea Generation: Students learn different ways to communicate an idea and will practice generating ideas with a visualization activity. Students will then use their senses to envision their dream classroom and draw their ideas. Through this activity, students gain an understanding that ideas are unique and different for everyone.

• STEM Career – Firefighter: Students will participate in an activity where they observe different technologies used by firefighters and reflect on how these technologies have enhanced the role of a firefighter as well as the lives of others.

3-5

• Coding – Treasure Map Coordinates: Students will use coordinates and coordinate planes to explore the functionality of the Scratch Motion blocks with the goal of animating a sprite to move around a treasure map.

• Coding – Gaming Concepts: Clones: Students will be introduced to how and when clones are used in game development. To gain this knowledge, students will first be introduced to a game that does not incorporate clones and then discuss how the game could be enhanced through the use of clones. Students will then complete a code-along activity where they will learn how to create a clone in Scratch. Finally, students will create their own game that incorporates clones and then discuss the games they created in a pair and share activity.

• Digital Citizenship – What’s in the News: Students will discuss the emotional impacts of breaking news and the trustworthiness of digital media. Students will learn how to approach news headlines and how to use a critical lens when viewing media.

• Digital Citizenship – Old Computers, New Problems: Students will learn about the negative effects of e-waste, and they’ll work together to brainstorm ways to build awareness and encourage change within their own community.

• STEM Career – Aviation: Students will be introduced to the daily routines, skills, and responsibilities of airline pilots and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators. Students will compare and contrast the two careers by completing a venn diagram.

View all of our free lesson offerings for grades K-12 on our Computer Science Lesson Plans page, and explore all of our free resources to help you teach CS in your classroom.

There are many resources and free coding games for kids on the web to help you teach computer science and technology curriculum k-5 in your classroom. In this section, explore an overview of a few websites we found for you to give you more computer science lesson ideas.

• Scratch is a free, block-based coding language. Scratch coding for kids uses an inventive puzzle-like interface to empower students to make stories, animations, games, and art. The idea is to introduce computer science skills to students that have little to no experience writing code. Our elementary technology curriculum for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade courses use Scratch.

• Scratch Jr. is a version of Scratch that is built for young coders, ages 5-7. Students use block-based coding to create interactive stories and games while building basic coding skills. Our coding curriculum for elementary school kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade courses use Scratch Jr.

• Blockly Games by Google provides educational games to help students who have no computer science experience. Through the games, students learn block-based coding and text-based coding (JavaScript).

• Code.org offers free computer curriculum for elementary through high school. The website includes courses, activities, and projects that students can access from any device. Learn more about how Ellipsis Education is the Perfect Complement to Code.org in our blog.

• View NASA education resources on the NASA education website. Here you can find a variety of STEM activities for all grade levels, including a Mars rover game or STEM themed storybook read aloud activities.

• On the Concord Consortium STEM resource finder, discover science activities for your classroom. You can search the Concord STEM site by science domain or by grade level to find the lesson you need.

Ellipsis Education provides full-year K-12 computer science curriculum. The curriculum offers grade level differentiated learning pathways, aligns with all state and national computer science standards, and is continually updated to reflect changes in computer science. Ellipsis Education computer science education courses are customized to districts’ unique instructional strategy for computer science integration. This can mean incorporating computer science into an existing class period, adding to a Specials rotation, or introducing a stand alone class. Courses are delivered with instructional resources teachers need to feel confident teaching computer science. Explore our full course offerings on this computer curriculum guide pdf or on our courses page. Below, learn more about our K-5 courses. Each course page includes a computer science for primary school pdf to help you learn more about the course.

Our elementary computer science curriculum for K-2 empowers you to engage your students with courses that fuel their interest. Coding lessons use Scratch Jr., an introductory block coding language platform, perfect for emergent and early readers. Try one of our free K-2 coding lessons, and explore each course in the grade band:

• Computer Science Foundations K

• Computer Science Foundations 1

• Computer Science Foundations 2

In grades 3-5, inspire your students with courses that spark their creativity. Coding lessons use Scratch, a block based coding language platform, ideal for the transitional and fluent reader. Download a free 3-5 Scratch lesson, and explore each course in the grade band:

• Computer Science Fundamentals 3

• Computer Science Fundamentals 4

• Computer Science Fundamentals 5

Build on what your students have learned with our computer curriculum for primary schools. Explore our courses for grades 6-12, including elective courses for high school students.

Our computer science curriculum middle school (grades 6-8) helps you motivate your students with courses that connect to their world. Coding lessons use line-based languages JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Java to explore programming options. This free lesson involves students practicing JavaScript and HTML. Explore the courses in this grade band:

• Intro to CS Applications 6th grade

• CS Applications 7th grade

• CS Applications Java 8th grade

Our computer science high school curriculum (grades 9-12) helps empower your students with courses that expand their skills. Coding lessons use JavaScript, Java, Python, and Godot to develop websites, programs, and games. Download a free Python lesson to try with your high school students. Explore the courses in this grade band to see each high school computer science curriculum pdf:

• High School Computer Science JavaScript

• High School Computer Science Python

• High School Computer Science Java

• High School Computer Science Game Development

Explore our full course offering on our courses page, and learn about the suggested K-12 pathway. To see how Codelicious aligns with national sets of standards, including CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017) and the K-12 Computer Science Framework, visit our K-12 Computer Science Standards page.