Core Skills Analysis
Technology and Computational Thinking
Cillian completed Book A, the “Get Ready for the Code” primer. By working through this introductory coding activity, Cillian practiced engaging with code-related learning and built familiarity with the primer’s first-level material. Completing the book also gave Cillian experience following an activity from beginning to end. This activity supported early computational-thinking readiness through structured practice.
Tips
Tips Build on Cillian’s primer experience with a simple unplugged coding game: give step-by-step directions for moving a toy from a starting point to a target, then swap roles and check the sequence together. Invite Cillian to draw a small route and use arrows or symbols to represent its steps. For a playful extension, make a short sequence of actions such as clap, turn, and jump, then change one instruction and notice how the result changes. These activities connect coding ideas to movement, communication, and careful sequencing.
Book Recommendations
- Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas: An illustrated introduction to computational thinking, problem-solving, and coding ideas.
- My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman: A child-friendly introduction to foundational coding concepts through visual activities.
Learning Standards
- Common Core ELA, SL.1.4: A follow-up in which Cillian describes the primer activity or explains a sequence of directions would support clear communication about an activity.
- NGSS, K-2-ETS1-1: Extending the primer with a simple route challenge would let Cillian ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a problem to solve.
- NGSS, K-2-ETS1-2: Drawing a route or representing instructions with symbols would connect to using a sketch or drawing to illustrate how a solution works.
- Note: These are natural extensions aligned with the standards; the activity description alone does not establish that Cillian completed those specific tasks.
Try This Next
- Draw a three-step arrow path from a toy to a target.
- Make an unplugged “robot directions” game using simple movement commands.
- Create an action sequence with picture cards, then rearrange one card and try it again.