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Computer Science Standards




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Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Standards

Standard Identifier: K-2.AP.10

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Algorithms
Practice(s): Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems, Developing and Using Abstractions (3.2, 4.4)

Standard:
Model daily processes by creating and following algorithms to complete tasks.

Descriptive Statement:
Algorithms are sequences of instructions that describe how to complete a specific task. Students create algorithms that reflect simple life tasks inside and outside of the classroom. For example, students could create algorithms to represent daily routines for getting ready for school, transitioning through center rotations, eating lunch, and putting away art materials. Students could then write a narrative sequence of events. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3) Alternatively, students could create a game or a dance with a specific set of movements to reach an intentional goal or objective. (P.E K.2, 1.2, 2.2) Additionally, students could create a map of their neighborhood and give step-by-step directions of how they get to school. (HSS.K.4, 1.2, 2.2)

Standard Identifier: K-2.AP.11

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Variables
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions (4.4)

Standard:
Model the way programs store data.

Descriptive Statement:
Information in the real world can be represented in computer programs. Students model the digital storage of data by transforming real-world information into symbolic representations that include text, numbers, and images. For example, after identifying symbols on a map and explaining what they represent in the real world, students could create their own symbols and corresponding legend to represent items on a map of their classroom (HSS.K.4.3, 1.2.3, 2.2.2) Alternatively, students could invent symbols to represent beat and/or pitch. Students could then modify symbols within the notation and explain how the musical phrase changes. (VAPA Music K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 2.2.2)

Standard Identifier: K-2.AP.16

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Program Development
Practice(s): Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts (6.2)

Standard:
Debug errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops.

Descriptive Statement:
Algorithms or programs may not always work correctly. Students use various strategies, such as changing the sequence of the steps, following the algorithm in a step-by-step manner, or trial and error to fix problems in algorithms and programs. For example, when given images placed in a random order, students could give step-by-step commands to direct a robot, or a student playing a robot, to navigate to the images in the correct sequence. Examples of images include storyboard cards from a familiar story (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy RL.K.2, RL.1.2, RL.2.2) and locations of the sun at different times of the day (CA NGSS: 1-ESS1-1). Alternatively, students could "program" the teacher or another classmate by giving precise instructions to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or navigate around the classroom. When the teacher or classmate doesn't respond as intended, students correct their commands. Additionally, students could receive a partially completed soundboard program that has a variety of animals programmed to play a corresponding sound when the user touches them. Students correct any sounds that don't match the animal (e.g., if the cat moos, students change the moo sound to meow).

Standard Identifier: 3-5.AP.10

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Algorithms
Practice(s): Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems, Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts (3.3, 6.3)

Standard:
Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine which is the most appropriate.

Descriptive Statement:
Different algorithms can achieve the same result, though sometimes one algorithm might be more appropriate for a specific solution. Students examine different ways to solve the same task and decide which would be the better solution for the specific scenario. For example, students could use a map and create multiple algorithms to model the early land and sea routes to and from European settlements in California. They could then compare and refine their algorithms to reflect faster travel times, shorter distances, or avoid specific characteristics, such as mountains, deserts, ocean currents, and wind patterns. (HSS.4.2.2) Alternatively, students could identify multiple algorithms for decomposing a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator and record each decomposition with an equation (e.g., 2 1/8 = 1 + 1 + 1/8 = 8/8 + 8/8 + 1/8). Students could then select the most efficient algorithm (e.g., fewest number of steps). (CA CCSS for Mathematics 4.NF.3b) Additionally, students could compare algorithms that describe how to get ready for school and modify them for supporting different goals including having time to care for a pet, being able to talk with a friend before classes start, or taking a longer route to school to accompany a younger sibling to their school first. Students could then write an opinion piece, justifying with reasons their selected algorithm is most appropriate. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy W.3.1, W.4.1, W.5.1)

Standard Identifier: 3-5.AP.14

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Modularity
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions, Creating Computational Artifacts (4.2, 5.3)

Standard:
Create programs by incorporating smaller portions of existing programs, to develop something new or add more advanced features.

Descriptive Statement:
Programs can be broken down into smaller parts, which can be incorporated into new or existing programs. Students incorporate predefined functions into their original designs. At this level, students do not need to understand all of the underlying implementation details of the abstractions that they use. For example, students could use code from a ping pong animation to make a ball bounce in a new basketball game. They could also incorporate code from a single-player basketball game to create a two-player game with slightly different rules. Alternatively, students could remix an animated story and add their own conclusion and/or additional dialogue. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy W.3.3.B, W.3.3.D, W.4.3.B, W.4.3.E, W.5.3.B, W.5.3.E) Additionally, when creating a game that occurs on the moon or planets, students could incorporate and modify code that simulates gravity on Earth. They could modify the strength of the gravitational force based on the mass of the planet or moon. (CA NGSS: 5-PS2-1)

Standard Identifier: 3-5.AP.17

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Program Development
Practice(s): Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts (6.2)

Standard:
Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.

Descriptive Statement:
Programs do not always run properly. Students need to understand how to test and make necessary corrections to their programs to ensure they run properly. Students successfully identify and fix errors in (debug) their programs and programs created by others. Debugging strategies at this level may include testing to determine the first place the solution is in error and fixing accordingly, leaving "breadcrumbs" in a program, and soliciting assistance from peers and online resources. For example, when students are developing a program to control the movement of a robot in a confined space, students test various inputs that control movement of the robot to make sure it behaves as intended (e.g., if an input would cause the robot to move past a wall of the confined space, it should not move at all). (CA NGSS: 3-5-ETS1-3) Additionally, students could test and debug an algorithm by tracing the inputs and outputs on a whiteboard. When noticing "bugs" (errors), students could identify what was supposed to happen and step through the algorithm to locate and then correct the error.

Standard Identifier: 3-5.AP.18

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Program Development
Practice(s): Collaborating Around Computing (2.2)

Standard:
Perform different roles when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development.

Descriptive Statement:
Collaborative computing is the process of creating computational artifacts by working in pairs or on teams. It involves asking for the contributions and feedback of others. Effective collaboration can often lead to better outcomes than working independently. With teacher guidance, students take turns in different roles during program development, such as driver, navigator, notetaker, facilitator, and debugger, as they design and implement their program. For example, while taking on different roles during program development, students could create and maintain a journal about their experiences working collaboratively. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy W.3.10, W.4.10, W.5.10) (CA NGSS: 3-5-ETS1-2)

Standard Identifier: 6-8.AP.10

Grade Range: 6–8
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Algorithms
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions (4.1, 4.4)

Standard:
Use flowcharts and/or pseudocode to design and illustrate algorithms that solve complex problems.

Descriptive Statement:
Complex problems are problems that would be difficult for students to solve without breaking them down into multiple steps. Flowcharts and pseudocode are used to design and illustrate the breakdown of steps in an algorithm. Students design and illustrate algorithms using pseudocode and/or flowcharts that organize and sequence the breakdown of steps for solving complex problems. For example, students might use a flowchart to illustrate an algorithm that produces a recommendation for purchasing sneakers based on inputs such as size, colors, brand, comfort, and cost. Alternatively, students could write pseudocode to express an algorithm for suggesting their outfit for the day, based on inputs such as the weather, color preferences, and day of the week.

Standard Identifier: 6-8.AP.14

Grade Range: 6–8
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Modularity
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions (4.1, 4.3)

Standard:
Create procedures with parameters to organize code and make it easier to reuse.

Descriptive Statement:
Procedures support modularity in developing programs. Parameters can provide greater flexibility, reusability, and efficient use of resources. Students create procedures and/or functions that are used multiple times within a program to repeat groups of instructions. They generalize the procedures and/or functions by defining parameters that generate different outputs for a wide range of inputs. For example, students could create a procedure to draw a circle which involves many instructions, but all of them can be invoked with one instruction, such as “drawCircle.” By adding a radius parameter, students can easily draw circles of different sizes. (CA CCSS for Mathematics 7.G.4) Alternatively, calculating the area of a regular polygon requires multiple steps. Students could write a function that accepts the number and length of the sides as parameters and then calculates the area of the polygon. This function can then be re-used inside any program to calculate the area of a regular polygon. (CA CCSS for Mathematics 6.G.1)

Standard Identifier: 6-8.AP.15

Grade Range: 6–8
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Program Development
Practice(s): Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture, Collaborating Around Computing (1.1, 2.3)

Standard:
Seek and incorporate feedback from team members and users to refine a solution that meets user needs.

Descriptive Statement:
Development teams that employ user-centered design processes create solutions (e.g., programs and devices) that can have a large societal impact (e.g., an app that allows people with speech difficulties to allow a smartphone to clarify their speech). Students begin to seek diverse perspectives throughout the design process to improve their computational artifacts. Considerations of the end-user may include usability, accessibility, age-appropriate content, respectful language, user perspective, pronoun use, or color contrast. For example, if students are designing an app to teach their classmates about recycling, they could first interview or survey their classmates to learn what their classmates already know about recycling and why they do or do not recycle. After building a prototype of the app, the students could then test the app with a sample of their classmates to see if they learned anything from the app and if they had difficulty using the app (e.g., trouble reading or understanding text). After gathering interview data, students could refine the app to meet classmate needs. (CA NGSS: MS-ETS1-4)

Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Standards


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