Florida Unplugged Computer Science: 3rd-5th Grade
- Level Elementary School
- Number of Lessons 35
- Grade 3rd, 4th, 5th
This course is aligned to Florida Unplugged Computer Science standards and is designed to provide 3rd-5th grade students with a comprehensive introduction to key concepts in computer science with limited technology use. It is meant to be taught approximately weekly.
See the full syllabus for all topics and activities, or explore the course to try it out.
UNITS - 10 (35 lessons)
Introduces the CodeHop platform, responsible technology use and screen time habits, computational thinking through school design, and basic keyboarding skills.
Builds sequencing and algorithm design skills, including parallel sequences and remixing with attribution, while exploring how coding applies to health/fitness and sports careers.
Teaches loops for repeating instructions, applying them through pair programming, sprite animation using multiplication, and modeling volcanic land-forming processes.
Introduces if/then conditional logic, applying it to a division practice game and a model of day and night caused by Earth's rotation.
Culminates the unit with an accessibility-focused redesign project that applies the design thinking process to solve real-world problems.
Covers digital citizenship topics including addressing cyberbullying, spreading positivity online, and collaborating respectfully and effectively online.
Builds cybersecurity awareness through Scout's Cybersecurity Adventure series and a study of cybersecurity policies and laws.
Explores computing system components and troubleshooting, appropriate productivity software choices, and how network protocols like WiFi, wired, and cellular connections enable data transfer.
Develops research skills including effective search keywords, source evaluation and attribution, a technology history timeline, and a data-driven inquiry project with bar graphs.
Introduces artificial intelligence concepts including how machines learn and compare to humans, training a chatbot, and evaluating the ethics and responsible use of generative AI and AI products.
Explore a sample lesson from this course!
Students build block-based programs using sequences, loops, and conditionals, with projects like pair programming a band, a division game, and a day and night model, ending with a design thinking project on accessibility. The course also covers digital citizenship, cybersecurity, computing systems and networks, research and data, and artificial intelligence, including training an AI chatbot and discussing the ethical use of AI.
Yes. The course is split between programming and digital literacy and combines unplugged instruction with block-based programming. For programming lessons, students can work in small groups or use pair programming, where partners share a device to create a program together.
The course includes 36 lessons, each about 45 minutes long, providing a full year of instruction when taught once a week. Every lesson is built in a ready-to-teach format, with step-by-step videos that walk students through the lesson. Lessons are designed to be teacher-led using an "I do, we do, you do" format, and a self-paced option is also available. The course is designed for students in grades 3-5.
No. There are no prerequisites, and the course is designed to support all learners regardless of prior computer science experience. The Getting Started lessons introduce CodeHop and computational thinking before students move into programming and digital literacy units.
Florida Unplugged Computer Science: 3rd-5th Grade is aligned to Florida's K-12 computer science standards. Lessons required to fully meet the standards are labeled in the course syllabus with the standards they address.
