Nova Scotia Information and Communication Technology: 1st Grade
- Level Elementary School
- Number of Lessons 40
- Grade 1st
This course is designed to provide computer science instruction for Nova Scotia 1st grade students. Students learn programming and principles of computer science, including: computing systems, networks and the Internet, data analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing.
See the full syllabus for all topics and activities, or explore the course to try it out.
UNITS - 10 (40 lessons)
This module reviews foundational CodeHopJr skills through a sequential Scout Adventures story, having students explore the programming interface and add, modify, and animate characters, backgrounds, and pages.
This module introduces computer basics such as input, output, hardware, and software, covers responsible technology use, and applies computational thinking to everyday evening routines.
This module builds sequence and event programming skills using drawing tools, wait/grow/shrink/hide blocks, and debugging, while connecting coding to career awareness and positive online behavior.
This module uses unplugged card-game activities to let students practice sequencing instructions with loops to move a character through a maze.
This module introduces repeat and forever loops, combining them with show/hide blocks and events to build games and animations such as catching butterflies and a dance party.
This module teaches students to use message events so characters can communicate and interact, applying debugging, speed blocks, and grow/shrink/show/hide blocks in projects like a relay race, Simon Says game, and story animation.
This module teaches students to build multi-page programs using "go to page" blocks combined with messages and loops to create games like a tapping game, mini golf, and a digital greeting card.
This module introduces the grid feature and the "end" block to program characters through mazes, races, and grid-based animations.
This culminating module has students apply sequences, loops, and speed blocks to design and program an obstacle-based river crossing game with adjustable difficulty.
This module builds data and research literacy by having students collect and visually present data and use research sources to communicate findings through a program.
Explore a sample lesson from this course!
A one-year course that introduces programming through a block-based coding platform. Students build computational thinking and problem-solving skills while creating interactive projects, animations, and games.
36 hours total, with lessons around 30-45 minutes each. It's teacher-led, using an "I do, we do, you do" approach so students gain independence gradually.
CodeHopJr, a block-based coding platform where students build characters and scenes, then save and run their programs from their own account.
Students build sequencing, events, loops, message events, and grid-based movement skills, working toward a final interactive game. They also build digital literacy skills like online safety and simple data collection through guided research.
Students build practical, real-world projects like a digital greeting card and a mini golf game, and see how coding applies to real careers, like exploring how it's used in fashion and retail design.
