Brie MacDonald, Sydney Bolton, Ruth Esteves, Katrina Crawshaw
Math Unit – Computer Science Unplugged
Computer Science Unplugged – Math Unit Plan K:1
Grade: Kindergarten/Grade 1 (but could be easily used/adapted for older grades)
Guiding Questions
- What is computer science?
- How are math and computer science related?
- How is math a language that we speak?
- What is the importance of clear instructions in math and day to day life?
- How do binary numbers work?
- How do computers use sorting networks to make decisions?
- How do computers detect error and why is it important?
Unit Purpose
The purpose of this unit is for students to explore various ideas, skills, and ways of thinking related to computers, coding, and logical thinking through hands-on activities that do not require any digital equipment. The activities are chosen for our youngest students, in kindergarten and grade 1, to begin their exploration and understanding of these critical skills in our modern world. The goal for this unit is to provide students with experience in computational thinking and communication of mathematical ideas in order for them to have a solid base of skills to prepare them for mathematics in later grades. The explorations that students will do throughout the unit in number concepts, patterning, and data and probability are all applicable to the continuing mathematics content in later grades. Additionally, the curricular competencies explored in this unit, specifically using logic and reasoning strategies for problem solving, continue to be a part of the curriculum in some way through to the end of highschool. We have chosen to create this unit plan for both Kindergarten and Grade 1 because these grades are often combined in the school system. This unit has lots of opportunities for personalization through the peer mentorship that is inherent in split grade classes.