Getting to know devices
Students learn the parts of a computer or tablet and how to use them with care. They practice naming buttons, opening apps, and asking for help when something is stuck.
What does a student learn in
These are the years students start treating a computer as a tool they can direct, not just watch. Students learn the names of the parts they use, try simple fixes when something goes wrong, and put steps in order to make a program do what they want. They also practice working with a partner and talking about what is safe and kind online. By spring, students can write a short sequence of steps that tells a character or robot exactly how to move.
- Parts of a computer
- Step-by-step instructions
- Simple coding
- Online safety
- Working with a partner
- Sorting information
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Staying safe online
Students learn that computers can talk to each other through the internet. They practice keeping personal information private and being kind in shared spaces.
- 3
Sorting and showing data
Students collect simple information, like favorite colors or weather each day, and put it into charts. They look for patterns and share what they notice.
- 4
Step-by-step instructions
Students write clear sets of steps a person or robot could follow, like a recipe. They build short programs, test them, and fix the parts that do not work.
- 5
Building and sharing projects
Students work in pairs to plan small projects, like an animation or a digital drawing. They give feedback to classmates and talk about how technology affects the people around them.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Kindergarten.
Concepts
Concepts
- Grades K-2
Identify, select, and apply hardware, software
Students learn to pick the right tool for the job, whether that means choosing an app, using a keyboard or mouse, or figuring out why something stopped working.
- Grades K-2
Explain how computer networks and the Internet enable communication…
Students learn what happens when computers connect to each other. A network lets people send messages, share files, and work together from different places, the same way a phone lets you talk to someone across town.
- Grades K-2
Collect, transform, and represent data
Students gather information, sort it, and display it as a chart or picture. Then they look for patterns in what they found and explain what the data shows.
- Grades K-2
Design, develop, and analyze algorithms and programs to solve problems…
Students learn to plan out steps to solve a problem, then turn those steps into simple programs. They test what they built, figure out what went wrong, and fix it.
- Grades K-2
Investigate the social, ethical, legal
Students look at how computers and apps affect people's daily lives, like how a phone call connects family far away or how a game can change how kids spend their time.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Identify, select, and apply hardware, software Grades K-2 | Students learn to pick the right tool for the job, whether that means choosing an app, using a keyboard or mouse, or figuring out why something stopped working. | VT-CSDF.C1.k-2 |
| Explain how computer networks and the Internet enable communication… Grades K-2 | Students learn what happens when computers connect to each other. A network lets people send messages, share files, and work together from different places, the same way a phone lets you talk to someone across town. | VT-CSDF.C2.k-2 |
| Collect, transform, and represent data Grades K-2 | Students gather information, sort it, and display it as a chart or picture. Then they look for patterns in what they found and explain what the data shows. | VT-CSDF.C3.k-2 |
| Design, develop, and analyze algorithms and programs to solve problems… Grades K-2 | Students learn to plan out steps to solve a problem, then turn those steps into simple programs. They test what they built, figure out what went wrong, and fix it. | VT-CSDF.C4.k-2 |
| Investigate the social, ethical, legal Grades K-2 | Students look at how computers and apps affect people's daily lives, like how a phone call connects family far away or how a game can change how kids spend their time. | VT-CSDF.C5.k-2 |
Practices
Practices
- Grades K-2
Foster an inclusive computing culture that values diverse perspectives and…
Students practice working with classmates who think and solve problems differently. The goal is to make sure everyone feels welcome when the class uses technology together.
- Grades K-2
Collaborate around computing — divide work, share ideas
Students work with a partner or small group to build something on a computer, splitting up tasks and sharing ideas along the way.
- Grades K-2
Identify and define problems that can be solved with computation and decompose…
Spot a problem that a computer could help solve, then break it into smaller steps. Students practice this with everyday tasks, like figuring out each step it takes to make a sandwich or get ready for school.
- Grades K-2
Use abstractions to simplify complexity, generalise solutions
Students learn to spot patterns and use them as shortcuts, like noticing that the same steps work for sorting both toys and books instead of figuring out a new approach each time.
- Grades K-2
Create computational artifacts — programs, simulations, models — by applying…
Students write simple programs or build digital projects, then test and improve them in rounds. Each round of trying, fixing, and trying again is part of how the work gets done.
- Grades K-2
Systematically test computational artifacts and refine them based on evidence…
Students try out a program or digital project, notice what goes wrong, and fix it. Testing and fixing is part of the work, not a sign something failed.
- Grades K-2
Communicate clearly with appropriate vocabulary, visualizations
Students explain how a program or digital tool works, using words and pictures a classmate could follow. They describe what the technology does and what effect it has.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Foster an inclusive computing culture that values diverse perspectives and… Grades K-2 | Students practice working with classmates who think and solve problems differently. The goal is to make sure everyone feels welcome when the class uses technology together. | VT-CSDF.P1.k-2 |
| Collaborate around computing — divide work, share ideas Grades K-2 | Students work with a partner or small group to build something on a computer, splitting up tasks and sharing ideas along the way. | VT-CSDF.P2.k-2 |
| Identify and define problems that can be solved with computation and decompose… Grades K-2 | Spot a problem that a computer could help solve, then break it into smaller steps. Students practice this with everyday tasks, like figuring out each step it takes to make a sandwich or get ready for school. | VT-CSDF.P3.k-2 |
| Use abstractions to simplify complexity, generalise solutions Grades K-2 | Students learn to spot patterns and use them as shortcuts, like noticing that the same steps work for sorting both toys and books instead of figuring out a new approach each time. | VT-CSDF.P4.k-2 |
| Create computational artifacts — programs, simulations, models — by applying… Grades K-2 | Students write simple programs or build digital projects, then test and improve them in rounds. Each round of trying, fixing, and trying again is part of how the work gets done. | VT-CSDF.P5.k-2 |
| Systematically test computational artifacts and refine them based on evidence… Grades K-2 | Students try out a program or digital project, notice what goes wrong, and fix it. Testing and fixing is part of the work, not a sign something failed. | VT-CSDF.P6.k-2 |
| Communicate clearly with appropriate vocabulary, visualizations Grades K-2 | Students explain how a program or digital tool works, using words and pictures a classmate could follow. They describe what the technology does and what effect it has. | VT-CSDF.P7.k-2 |
Common Questions
What does computer science look like in the early grades?
Students learn the basic parts of a computer, like the screen, keyboard, and mouse, and how to log in and open a program. They also write simple step-by-step instructions, sometimes on a screen and sometimes with paper arrows or blocks on the floor. Most of the work feels like puzzles and games.
How can I help my child at home with no special tech?
Practice giving step-by-step directions for everyday tasks, like brushing teeth or making a sandwich. Ask what comes first, next, and last, and try to follow the steps exactly. This builds the same thinking students use when they write a program.
Does my child need a computer at home for this?
No. A lot of early computer science can be done away from a screen with paper, blocks, or board games. If there is a tablet or computer at home, short sessions with kid-friendly coding apps are useful, but they are not required.
What should students be able to do by the end of second grade?
Students should be able to log in, open a program, and save their work with help. They should also be able to write a short sequence of steps to solve a small problem, spot a mistake in those steps, and fix it. They should know basic rules for being kind and safe online.
How do I plan a year of computer science when I am not a specialist?
Start with hardware names and routines in the fall, move into unplugged step-by-step thinking in the winter, and bring in a simple block-based coding tool in the spring. Tie each unit to something students already do in math or reading, like patterns, sorting, or retelling a story in order.
What part of this usually needs the most reteaching?
Debugging is the hardest part. Students want to start over instead of finding the one step that went wrong. Plan short, repeated practice with broken sequences so finding and fixing a mistake feels normal, not scary.
How do I talk to young students about online safety without scaring them?
Keep it concrete and short. Practice rules like asking an adult before clicking something new, not sharing names or addresses, and telling an adult if something on the screen feels wrong. Role-play these moments the same way fire drills are practiced.
How do I know my child is ready for third grade computer science?
A ready student can follow and write a short list of steps, work with a partner without taking over, and keep trying when something does not work the first time. Comfort with basic computer parts and simple typing also helps a lot.