Kindergarten

Computer science and programming basics for Kindergarten.

Full-year course · 30 lessons · 1 unit

Pacing options
Pacing	Lessons
1x/month	11
2-3x/month	22
4x/month	30

Block Coding
Launch Pad
Year
Kindergarten

Course Summary
Course Outline
Standard Alignment
Course Project

Course Summary

Students build foundational knowledge of computer basics to support them in the beginning of their computer science and programming journey. This course includes an assessment, which you can assign to students from the Manage Assessments page. It is not automatically assigned when you assign the course.

Course Outline

1. Kindness and Empathy in a Digital World Students will learn more about kindness, empathy and how this is important on computers.
2. Being Respectful with Technology Students will learn how to show respect when using computers and tablets.
3. Digital Footprints and Responsibility Students will learn what a digital footprint is and why it’s important to think before sharing or posting online and how to be responsible and protect their personal information when using technology.
4. Balancing Screens and Feelings Students will explore how technology can affect their feelings and energy. They’ll learn why taking breaks from screens is important for their bodies and minds. The lesson helps them recognize when it’s time to move, rest, or try something away from a device. It introduces the “Stop, Think, and Choose” strategy to help them make healthy, balanced choices with screen time.
5. Private or Public? Being Safe with Information Students will learn the difference between private and public information online. They’ll practice thinking about what is safe to share and what should be kept private. The lesson reminds students to always ask a trusted adult if they’re unsure.
6. Passwords and Logging Out Students will learn that a password is a secret code that protects their information. The computer will explain why passwords are important, what makes a good one, and how logging out keeps their work safe. This lesson helps students build early habits for using technology safely and responsibly.
7. What is a Computer? Students will explore what a computer is and what it can do. The lesson will help them recognize that computers are tools found in many places and used in many ways.
8. Computer Devices Students will learn that even though devices like tablets, laptops, phones, and smartboards look different, they’re all computers because they follow instructions and help us do things. The computer will walk students through examples and explain how each device is used.
9. Computer Navigation Students will be introduced to basic computer navigation by watching and listening as the computer explains how to move the cursor and click to open or close a program. They will learn to recognize the cursor on the screen and understand how input tools help us make choices. This lesson builds early awareness and prepares students for independent use of digital devices.
10. What is Hardware? Students will explore examples of computer hardware and learn to identify common parts they can see and touch. The lesson will reinforce the idea that hardware is what makes a computer run and it includes tools like the screen, mouse, and keyboard.
11. What is Software? Students will learn that software is what we see and hear on the computer, like apps, games, or music. The computer will explain that software helps us do things like draw, read, or learn numbers and work together with hardware to make the computer useful. Students will begin to recognize software as the programs they click or tap on to get something done.
12. The Internet and Giving Credit Students will learn that the internet helps us find and use things like pictures, videos, and games. They will also begin to understand that many things we see online were made by someone else, and we should say who made them. This lesson introduces respectful habits when using the internet.
13. Life Before and After Computers Students will learn that many everyday things—like writing letters, drawing, and talking to family—used to be done without computers. The computer will explain what people used to do before technology and how computers help us do these same things now, but faster, easier, and in new ways. Students will begin to understand how computers have changed how we live, work, and play.
14. Pattern Decoding Students will learn how to recognize simple patterns with shapes, colors, and objects. They will see how patterns repeat and practice spotting what comes next. This builds important skills for coding and for finding patterns in data.
15. Different Ways to Show Data Students will learn how to show data using tally marks, bar graphs, and pictographs. The computer will explain each method using simple, familiar examples like favorite fruits or pet counts. These visual tools help students organize information and compare it easily.
16. Data in Variables Students will learn that a variable is like a labeled container that stores information a computer needs to remember. The computer will explain how variables hold one piece of data, like a name, number, or favorite item. Simple examples will help students understand how variables help computers do their jobs.
17. Data Patterns and Sorting Students will learn that sorting data into groups and finding patterns helps us organize information. The computer will show how data can be sorted by color, size, or type, and how repeating patterns help us understand what comes next. These ideas support skills in both data and coding.
18. Algorithm Introduction Students will learn that an algorithm is a list of steps that helps us get something done. The computer will explain how everyday tasks—like getting dressed or cleaning up—can be broken into steps. Students will understand that computers use algorithms too, and the steps must be in the right order to work.
19. Computational Thinking Students will learn how to solve problems by breaking them into smaller steps. The computer will explain that when something feels tricky or big, taking it one step at a time can help. Simple, everyday examples will help students understand how this skill is used in both life and coding.
20. Debugging Students will learn that debugging means finding and fixing mistakes in a list of steps. The computer will show how something can go wrong when a step is missing or out of order, and how to fix it by checking each part. This builds confidence in solving simple problems by thinking carefully.
21. Introduction to Coding With Blocks Students will learn that an algorithm is a list of steps, and that in coding, blocks are used to show those steps. The computer will introduce block-based coding by showing how blocks connect to make a character move, talk, or play a sound. This sets the foundation for using a platform similar to Scratch Jr, referred to as "Blocks."
22. Event Blocks Students will learn that event blocks tell the computer when to begin. The computer will show that every program starts with an event—like tapping a character, pressing play, or clicking the green flag. Students will understand that event blocks always come first to start the action.
23. Motion Blocks Students will learn that motion blocks come after event blocks and tell a character how to move on the screen. The computer will show simple examples like sliding left or right, going up or down, hopping, or turning. Motion blocks help characters do actions and move through a story or game.
24. Look Blocks Students will learn that looks blocks help change how a character appears or speaks. The computer will show examples like making a character grow, shrink, hide, or say something with a speech bubble. These blocks help tell a story by showing feelings or changes on the screen.
25. Sound Blocks Students will learn that sound blocks help characters make sounds or talk. The computer will show how to use sound blocks to add noises like clicks, pops, songs, or voice messages. These sounds help bring a project to life and make it more fun to watch and hear.
26. Control and Loop Blocks Students will learn that control blocks help organize actions, and loop blocks tell the computer to repeat something again and again. The computer will show how to use loops for repeating motions, words, or actions, helping programs stay short and clear while doing more.
27. Using Sprites Students will learn that sprites are the characters or objects they choose for their project. The computer will show how to pick a sprite and use blocks to move it, make it talk, or change how it looks. This helps students bring their ideas to life in fun, creative ways.
28. Using Backgrounds Students will learn that a background shows where a sprite is—like a setting in a story. The computer will show how choosing the right background helps the project make sense, like putting a fish in water or a robot in space. Students will understand that backgrounds come first to set the scene.
29. Planning Your Coding Project Students will learn that planning helps them build better projects. The computer will guide them to explore sprites, backgrounds, and blocks before starting their coding. This helps students choose what they want their story or activity to look like and do.
30. Create and Share Your Coding Project Students will use the blocks they've learned—like motion, looks, sounds, and events—to build their final project. The computer will encourage students to follow their plans, use the right blocks, and test their work. This is their chance to create something fun and share it with others.

Standard Alignment

CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards

1A-AP-08
1A-AP-09
1A-AP-10
1A-AP-11
1A-AP-12
1A-AP-13
1A-AP-14
1A-AP-15
1A-CS-01
1A-CS-02
1A-CS-03
1A-DA-05
1A-DA-06
1A-DA-07
1A-IC-16
1A-IC-17
1A-IC-18
1A-NI-04
1B-AP-15
1B-IC-18
1B-NI-04

State standards documents

Document	Standards	Grades
National
2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide	CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Alabama
Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arizona
Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Arizona Computer Science Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
California
California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	California K-12 CS Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Florida
Florida Introduction to Computer Science 1 + Skill Struck Alignment	Florida Introduction to Computer Science 1	K-2
Georgia
Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science	K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Idaho
Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Illinois
Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Indiana
Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Iowa
Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Iowa Computer Science Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kansas
Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment	Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kentucky
Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Maryland
Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Michigan
Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Mississippi
Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Missouri
Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nebraska
Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada
Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment	Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment	Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New Jersey
New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New York
New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment	New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
North Carolina
North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	North Carolina K-12 CS Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Ohio
Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
South Carolina
South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Tennessee
Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Texas
TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Utah
Utah K-5 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Utah K-5 CS Standards	K-2, 3-5
Virginia
Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Washington
Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment	Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023	K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wyoming
Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards + Skill Struck Alignment	Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards · 2020	K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Course Project

In this course, students will complete several projects including: Dance Party, Shapes, Create a Story, Flappy Bird, Make it Disappear, Ping Pong, Drive Across Town, Add It Up, Patterns, Push and Pull, Corssing the Road, Good Kick!, Zero Gravity, Dribble the Ball, and Things You Like To Do. These projects will help students develop their foundational algorithm building skills that will propel them in their coding journey.