Classroom Resource

Computer Science Discoveries Unit 1 Chapter 1 Lesson 1: Intro to Problem Solving

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

6, 7, 8

Overview

The class works in groups to design aluminum foil boats that will support as many pennies as possible. At the end of the lesson, groups reflect on their experiences with the activity and make connections to the types of problem-solving they will be doing for the rest of the course.

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Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.5

Identify algorithms that make use of sequencing, selection or iteration.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.5

Vocabulary

algorithm sequence selection iteration

Knowledge

Students know:
  • differences between the three basic programming structures.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • explain the differences in sequencing, selection, and iteration.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • differences exist in sequencing, selection, and iteration.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.6

Identify steps in developing solutions to complex problems using computational thinking.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.6

Vocabulary

  • computational thinking

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to define the problem.
  • how to plan solutions.
  • how to implement a plan.
  • how to reflect on the results and process.
  • how to iterate through the process again.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify the steps involved with formulating problems and solutions in a way that can be represented or carried with or without a computer.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • computational thinking is formulating problems and solutions in a way that can be represented or carried out with or without a computer.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.30

Discuss and apply the components of the problem-solving process.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.30

Vocabulary

  • problem-solving process

Knowledge

Students know:
  • when solving problems, one should identify the problem, identify possible solutions, evaluate to select a best solution, implement the solution, evaluate the solution and/or seek feedback.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify a problem.
  • identify possible solutions.
  • evaluate to select a best solution.
  • implement a solution.
  • evaluate a solution.
  • seek feedback.
  • revise an artifact based on feedback.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • problem-solving is a process that can take multiple iterations.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.5

Solve a complex problem using computational thinking.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.5

Vocabulary

  • computational thinking

Knowledge

Students know:
  • smaller tasks are easier to solve than complex problems.
  • that trends in data can also speed up the problem-solving process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • abstract portions of the problem and focus on smaller tasks to aid in solving a complex problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • complex problems can be overwhelming.
  • by decomposing the complex problem into simpler problems, a solution is easier to reach.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.30

Apply the problem-solving process to solve real-world problems.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.30

Vocabulary

  • problem-solving process

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the steps to the problem-solving process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • select and dissect a problem.
  • seek solutions.
  • select a best alternative.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • often there are multiple solutions to real
  • world problems.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.5

Discuss the efficiency of an algorithm or technology used to solve complex problems.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.8.5

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that many solutions exist to solve a problem.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • communicate their opinion on the efficiency of problem solving methods.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • while many solutions exist for a problem, some are better suited to meet specific needs, such as efficiency.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.29

Create an artifact to solve a problem using ideation and iteration in the problem-solving process.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.8.29

Vocabulary

  • ideation
  • iteration
  • problem-solving process

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that problem solving is a process to find the best solution.
  • that through ideation and iteration, the final product or artifact may be a more polished or appropriate solution.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • gather initial data about a topic.
  • informally propose a solution.
  • gather feedback on informal proposal.
  • design a solution to a chosen problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • problem-solving is a process.
  • products or artifacts may undergo many revisions after data is reviewed and feedback is received.
Link to Resource
https://studio.code.org/s/csd1-2018/stage/1/puzzle/1

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Code.org
Accessibility
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://code.org/tos

Approved Date

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