Resources to Support Implementing CT in your School
Computational Thinking Integration
Computational Thinking for All
The Vision
KIPP Computational Thinking is dedicated to ensuring that ALL students in grades K-5 will receive at least 25-30 hours of Computational Thinking instruction annually throughout their elementary school journey. We believe that explicitly teaching students computational thinking at an early age will allow all students to develop the necessary skills to better navigate the world they live in.
Early research suggests that computational thinking and computing education have the potential to develop students’ higher-order thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills in ways that can advance learning across the curriculum and empower students to be creative inventors with technology. Initial studies also point to the connection between computing education and greater student confidence in and engagement with core academic content.
Computational Thinking for All
How will we achieve this goal?
We have embedded Computational Thinking units to be integrated into existing K-5 math, ELA, and science. All of our units are multidisciplinary and are designed to be project based, collaborative, hands-on units for all students. iWe also believe that providing all teachers with the necessary resources, training, and ongoing support to execute this curriculum is vital. There is potential to enhance the existing curriculum and contribute to advancing student learning and achievement in an engaging and relevant manner to develop the future problem solvers of tomorrow.
Mini-units are designed to extend students’ understanding of the core science content while developing their computational thinking skills and gaining exposure to different kinds of software and hardware. Fig. 1
Math
Math and computational thinking go hand in hand, emphasizing pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and systematic problem solving. Integrating computational methods into math education, like using algorithms for arithmetic or word problems, helps students grasp math as a logical process that can be broken down step by step, similar to how a computer processes information.
ELA
In ELA, computational thinking transforms how students engage with stories. By treating a story as an algorithm, students learn to spot patterns in narratives and strengthen their storytelling skills. Activities like organizing story events or recognizing cause-and-effect relationships foster algorithmic thinking, boosting comprehension and analysis. This method fortifies literary understanding and cultivates a structured thinking style applicable in diverse situations.
The blend of computational thinking with NGSS enhances science education by promoting better understanding through data analysis, modeling, and simulation. For instance, a lesson on weather patterns can turn into a computational exercise where students gather data, spot patterns, and simulate weather events using basic programming. This approach makes abstract concepts tangible and promotes hands-on learning, aligning with NGSS's focus on inquiry and evidence-based learning.
How Does the Curriculum Support Computational Thinking?
We have embedded Computational Thinking units to be flexible and adaptable to a wide variety of school settings, schedules, and systems. All units are designed like the one showcased below:
Each mini-unit is aligned to the CSTA standards along with national literacy and science standards. Fig. 2
Students engage in a variety of activities through their computational thinking-integrated science lessons, often starting out with student-led inquiry-based activities that lead into teacher-led whole and small group instruction. Fig. 3
Science
Each mini-unit concludes with a project-based assessment that lasts between one and three days. Each project is scored using a simple rubric that assesses both science and computational thinking concepts. Fig. 4
Resources and Tools for Educators
Providing educators with the right resources and tools is crucial for the successful integration of computational thinking into the curriculum. This includes access to high quality curriculum, best practices, and selecting software/hardware that is age-appropriate and engaging for students.
Professional development opportunities, such as workshops and online courses, are also essential for teachers to stay abreast of the latest teaching methods and technologies in computational thinking. We are in the process of developing professional development on Computational Thinking and Implementation of Computational Thinking. By equipping educators with these resources, we ensure that they are well-prepared to guide their students in this innovative learning journey.