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Computer Science Standards




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Showing 1 - 10 of 28 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.12

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Control
Practice(s): Creating Computational Artifacts (5.2)

Standard:
Create programs with sequences of commands and simple loops, to express ideas or address a problem.

Descriptive Statement:
People create programs by composing sequences of commands that specify the precise order in which instructions should be executed. Loops enable programs to repeat a sequence of commands multiple times. For example, students could follow simple movements in response to oral instructions. Students could then create a simple sequence of movement commands in response to a given problem (e.g., In how many ways can you travel from point A to point B?) and represent it as a computer program, using loops to repeat commands. (VAPA Dance K.1.4, 1.2.3, 1.2.5, 1.2.8, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3) Alternatively, on a mat with many different CVC words, students could program robots to move to words with a similar vowel sound. Students could look for multiple ways to solve the problem and simplify their solution by incorporating loops. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy RF.K.2.D, RF.1.2.C)

Standard Identifier: K-2.CS.3

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Computing Systems
Subconcept: Troubleshooting
Practice(s): Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts, Communicating About Computing (6.2, 7.2)

Standard:
Describe basic hardware and software problems using accurate terminology.

Descriptive Statement:
Problems with computing systems have different causes. Accurate description of the problem aids users in finding solutions. Students communicate a problem with accurate terminology (e.g., when an app or program is not working as expected, a device will not turn on, the sound does not work, etc.). Students at this level do not need to understand the causes of hardware and software problems. For example, students could sort hardware and software terms on a word wall, and refer to the word wall when describing problems using "I see..." statements (e.g., "I see the pointer on the screen is missing", "I see that the computer will not turn on"). (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy L.K.5.A, L.1.5.A, SL K.5, SL1.5, SL 2.5) (Visual Arts Kinder 5.2) Alternatively, students could use appropriate terminology during collaborative conversations as they learn to debug, troubleshoot, collaborate, and think critically with technology. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy SL.K.1, SL.1.1, SL.2.1)

Standard Identifier: K-2.NI.5

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Networks & the Internet
Subconcept: Cybersecurity
Practice(s): Communicating About Computing (7.2)

Standard:
Explain why people use passwords.

Descriptive Statement:
Passwords protect information from unwanted use by others. When creating passwords, people often use patterns of familiar numbers and text to more easily remember their passwords. However, this may make the passwords weaker. Knowledge about the importance of passwords is an essential first step in learning about cybersecurity. Students explain that strong passwords are needed to protect devices and information from unwanted use. For example, students could play a game of guessing a three-character code. In one version of the game, the characters are only numbers. In the second version, characters are numbers or letters. Students describe why it would take longer to guess the correct code in the second case. Alternatively, students could engage in a collaborative discussion regarding passwords and their importance. Students may follow-up the discussion by exploring strong password components (combination of letters, numbers, and characters), creating their own passwords, and writing opinion pieces indicating reasons their passwords are strong. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy SL.K.1, SL.1.1, SL 2.1, W.1.1, W.2.1)

Standard Identifier: K-2.NI.6

Grade Range: K–2
Concept: Networks & the Internet
Subconcept: Cybersecurity
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions (4.4)

Standard:
Create patterns to communicate a message.

Descriptive Statement:
Connecting devices to a network or the Internet provides great benefit, but care must be taken to protect devices and information from unauthorized access. Messages can be protected by using secret languages or codes. Patterns help to ensure that the intended recipient can decode the message. Students create a pattern that can be decoded and translated into a message. For example, students could use a table to associate each text character with a number. Then, they could select a combination of text characters and use mathematical functions (e.g., simple arithmetic operations) to transform the numbers associated with the characters into a secret message. Using inverse functions, a peer could translate the secret message back into its original form. (CA CCSS for Mathematics 2.OA.A.1, 2.OA.B.2) Alternatively, students could use icons or invented symbols to represent patterns of beat, rhythm, or pitch to decode a musical phrase. (VAPA Music K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 2.2.2)

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.12

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Algorithms & Programming
Subconcept: Control
Practice(s): Creating Computational Artifacts (5.2)

Standard:
Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.

Descriptive Statement:
Control structures specify the order (sequence) in which instructions are executed within a program and can be combined to support the creation of more complex programs. Events allow portions of a program to run based on a specific action. Conditionals allow for the execution of a portion of code in a program when a certain condition is true. Loops allow for the repetition of a sequence of code multiple times. For example, students could program an interactive map of the United States of America. They could use events to initiate a question when the user clicks on a state and conditionals to check whether the user input is correct. They could use loops to repeat the question until the user answers correctly or to control the length of a "congratulations" scenario that plays after a correct answer. (HSS.5.9) Alternatively, students could write a math fluency game that asks products of two one-digit numbers and then uses a conditional to check whether or not the answer that was entered is correct. They could use a loop to repeatedly ask another question. They could use events to allow the user to click on a green button to play again or a red button to end the game. (CA CCSS for Mathematics 3.OA.7) Additionally, students could create a program as a role-playing game based on a literary work. Loops could be used to animate a character's movement. When reaching a decision point in the story, an event could initiate the user to type a response. A conditional could change the setting or have the story play out differently based on the user input. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy RL.5.3)

Standard Identifier: 3-5.CS.3

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Computing Systems
Subconcept: Troubleshooting
Practice(s): Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts (6.2)

Standard:
Determine potential solutions to solve simple hardware and software problems using common troubleshooting strategies.

Descriptive Statement:
Although computing systems vary, common troubleshooting strategies can be used across many different systems. Students use troubleshooting strategies to identify problems that could include a device not responding, lacking power, lacking a network connection, an app crashing, not playing sounds, or password entry not working. Students use and develop various solutions to address these problems. Solutions may include rebooting the device, checking for power, checking network availability, opening and closing an app, making sure speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in, and making sure that the caps lock key is not on. For example, students could prepare for and participate in a collaborative discussion in which they identify and list computing system problems and then describe common successful fixes. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy SL.3.1, SL.4.1, SL.5.1) Alternatively, students could write informative/explanatory texts, create a poster, or use another medium of communication to examine common troubleshooting strategies and convey these ideas and information clearly. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy W.3.2, W.4.2, W.5.2)

Standard Identifier: 3-5.NI.5

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Networks & the Internet
Subconcept: Cybersecurity
Practice(s): Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems (3.1)

Standard:
Describe physical and digital security measures for protecting personal information.

Descriptive Statement:
Personal information can be protected physically and digitally. Cybersecurity is the protection from unauthorized use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this. Students identify what personal information is and the reasons for protecting it. Students describe physical and digital approaches for protecting personal information such as using strong passwords and biometric scanners. For example, students could engage in a collaborative discussion orally or in writing regarding topics that relate to personal cybersecurity issues. Discussion topics could be based on current events related to cybersecurity or topics that are applicable to students, such as the necessity of backing up data to guard against loss, how to create strong passwords and the importance of not sharing passwords, or why we should keep operating systems updated and use anti-virus software to protect data and systems. Students could also discuss physical measures that can be used to protect data including biometric scanners, locked doors, and physical backups. (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy SL.3.1, SL.4.1, SL.5.1)

Standard Identifier: 3-5.NI.6

Grade Range: 3–5
Concept: Networks & the Internet
Subconcept: Cybersecurity
Practice(s): Developing and Using Abstractions (4.4)

Standard:
Create patterns to protect information from unauthorized access.

Descriptive Statement:
Encryption is the process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. At this level, students use patterns as a code for encryption, to protect information. Patterns should be decodable to the party for whom the message is intended, but difficult or impossible for those with unauthorized access. For example, students could create encrypted messages via flashing a flashlight in Morse code. Other students could decode this established language even if it wasn't meant for them. To model the idea of protecting data, students should create their own variations on or changes to Morse code. This ensures that when a member of that group flashes a message only other members of their group can decode it, even if other students in the room can see it. (CA NGSS: 4-PS4-3) Alternatively, students could engage in a CS Unplugged activity that models public key encryption: One student puts a paper containing a written secret in a box, locks it with a padlock, and hands the box to a second student. Student 2 puts on a second padlock and hands it back. Student 1 removes her lock and hands the box to student 2 again. Student 2 removes his lock, opens the box, and has access to the secret that student 1 sent him. Because the box always contained at least one lock while in transit, an outside party never had the opportunity to see the message and it is protected.

Showing 1 - 10 of 28 Standards


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