Arkansas Computer Science: 4th Grade
- Level Elementary School
- Number of Lessons 32
- Grade 4th
This course is designed to provide computer science instruction for Arkansas 4th grade students. Students learn programming and principles of computer science including: computing systems, research, algorithms and programming, and computer safety.
See the full syllabus for all topics and activities, or explore the course to try it out.
UNITS - 11 (32 lessons)
Students get comfortable with the CodeHop Playground and its drawing tools before the course begins.
Students learn key computer science vocabulary and use computational thinking to plan solutions.
Students compare and refine algorithms and use events to build interactive, branching programs.
Students use loops to build games and graphics and practice breaking programs into parts to debug them.
Students use conditionals to control decisions in their programs and learn to give proper credit when remixing code.
Students use variables and lists to store and change information in interactive programs.
Students apply the design thinking process to make programs more accessible for all users.
Students identify the parts of a computing system, troubleshoot problems, and model how data travels across a network.
Students build cybersecurity habits, respond to cyberbullying, manage their digital footprints, and practice healthy screen time.
Students evaluate data and sources, conduct research and investigations, and present their findings using productivity tools.
Students explore how machines learn to make predictions and why people design new technologies.
Explore a sample lesson from this course!
Fourth graders program in the CodeHop Playground, comparing and refining algorithms and using loops, conditionals, operators, variables, and lists to build games, turtle graphics, and interactive programs. They apply design thinking to make a game more accessible, and they also study computing systems and networks, cybersecurity and digital citizenship, research and data analysis, and how machines learn.
The course is aligned to the Arkansas K-4 Computer Science Standards. Lessons that are required to fully meet the state standards list their standard codes beside the lesson title in the course syllabus.
No. There are no prerequisites, and the course is designed to support all learners regardless of prior computer science experience. An optional review unit introduces the CodeHop Playground and its drawing tools, and the course begins by teaching key computer science vocabulary.
The course includes 36 lessons, each about 45 minutes long, designed to be taught across one school year. Concepts spiral across grade levels, so students can revisit and build on them the following year even if every lesson is not completed.
Yes. In the Artificial Intelligence unit, students explore different machine learning approaches, modify a program to model how AI is trained to make predictions, and discuss how and why people design emerging technologies.
