Grade 2: Computer Coding

Standards Assessed
1. Empowered Learner: Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences. Students:
(A) articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.

5. Computational Thinker: Students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions. Students:
(A) formulate problem definitions suited for technology assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
(B) collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.
(C) break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
(D) understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.

Enduring Understandings

Essential Questions
Students will understand that...
  • Binary code is the base language for all computer programming languages.
  • People can use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers across the globe.
  • Students use technology to promote collaboration and creativity among learners of multiple cultures.
  • Individuals must make responsible decisions on what to share and what to keep private.​
Students will be able to answer...
  • How do computers communicate?
  • How can I communicate and work with others using technology?
  • What can I learn working with students in other cultures?
  • How do I work to take care of myself and others in the digital world?

Knowledge 

Skills 
The student will know... 
  • How programming is the process of instructing a computer how to do a task.
  • That programming basics involves: conditional statements like "If this, then that;" loops that repeat commands and functions that execute sets of commands.​
The student will be able to...
  • "Program" objects to move from one location to another in sequential steps (order of events.)
  • Use loops, functions and conditional statements to make shorter lines of code that perform powerful operations.

Performance Tasks

Students will start off the unit by learning how binary code is the base language for all other computer programming languages. Students will create a bead necklace spelling out their name in binary code. Using a variety of gamification website, each selected based on the individual student's needs, each student will understand programming concepts, skills, and logic. The goal is to maximize enjoyment and engagement through capturing the interest of learners and inspiring them to continue learning.  This self paced environment increase student learning by allowing the lessons taught to be personalized for each individual.​