Virginia Computer Science: 1st Grade
- Level Elementary School
- Number of Lessons 43
- Grade 1st
This course is designed to provide computer science and technology instruction for Virginia 1st Grade students. Students learn programming and technology concepts, 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 - 8 (43 lessons)
Reviews CodeHopJr basics through a story-driven Scout adventure covering characters, backgrounds, pages, and motion sequencing.
Introduces computer basics, responsible technology use, and computational thinking applied to evening routines.
Builds sequencing and event skills using drawing tools and wait blocks while debugging simple programs and reinforcing digital responsibility and a CS careers connection.
Introduces repeat and forever loops through card games and interactive games like a butterfly-catching activity and a dance party.
Teaches message events to coordinate character interactions, alongside speed blocks and an introduction to variables, through a relay race, Simon Says, and story projects.
Uses pages and the grid feature to build multi-scene games such as a tapping game, mini golf, a greeting card, and a maze race.
Applies the design process to build capstone projects including an "About Me" program and a river-crossing game with adjustable difficulty.
Covers research skills, basic data visualization, the impact of computing, online safety, data storage, networks and the internet, and an introduction to AI and machine learning.
Explore a sample lesson from this course!
1st grade students use events, wait blocks, loops, message events, pages, and the grid to create games and animations such as a hide and seek game, a mini golf game, and a digital greeting card, ending with an About Me project and a River Crossing game. They also learn computer basics and responsible technology use, keep information safe, complete guided research, explore data and how computing affects their community, learn how networks and the Internet work, and explore what AI can do and how it learns.
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. Optional review lessons at the start of the course are not counted in the 36 lessons. Optional unplugged activities also introduce loops through team card games.
No. There are no prerequisites, and the course is designed to support all learners regardless of prior computer science experience. Optional review lessons at the start of the course help students who are new to CodeHop learn the basics before moving into grade-level content.
Virginia Computer Science: 1st Grade is aligned to the Virginia Computer Science Standards of Learning. Lessons required to fully meet the standards are labeled in the course syllabus with the standards they address, and all Digital Literacy lessons are required because they cover essential non-programming computer science concepts.
