Computational Thinking Lesson Plan: Computational Thinking
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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP Jr. topic Computational Thinking, and supports the standard of breaking problems into component parts in order to facilitate problem-solving. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.
Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Prompt students to think about a classroom routine, like lining up for recess or packing up at the end of the day. Ask:
- What steps make up the routine?
- How might we change steps in the routine so it would be easier or quicker?
Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE
- Play the Computational Thinking movie.
- Click the pause button each time a question appears in Annie’s Notebook and discuss it as a class. Then play to see how Annie answers it.
TIP: The pause button turns red to remind you to pause.
Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS
Students take the Easy Quiz or Hard Quiz, demonstrating what they learned about the topic while applying essential literacy skills.
Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND
Students express what they learned about computational thinking while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student or grade-level needs.
- Draw About It: Draw a solution for keeping your shoelaces tied.
- Activity: Find and fix a problem in a pattern.
- Talk About It: Use the flowchart to describe steps to solve a problem.
- Write About It: Write about a problem you can solve at school.
More to Explore
Technology Unit: Continue to build understanding around computational thinking by exploring more BrainPOP Jr. topics.
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