California Computer Science: 4th Grade
- Level Elementary School
- Number of Lessons 37
- Grade 4th
This course belongs to the CodeHS Computer Science Standards for California Public Schools pathway. This course is designed to provide computer science instruction for California 4th grade students, and it is aligned to the Computer Science Standards for California Public Schools.
See the full syllabus for all topics and activities, or explore the course to try it out.
UNITS - 8 (37 lessons)
Students review foundational CS vocabulary, navigate the coordinate plane, and use drawing tools to prepare for the year's programming units.
Students design and compare algorithms, collaborate through pair programming, and use broadcast messages to build event-driven programs like a band and a joke-telling sketch.
Students use different loop types to build a simple game and debug maze programs by decomposing code.
Students build maze and drawing-app programs using keyboard and mouse inputs, loops, and if/then conditionals to control program behavior.
Students use variables, lists, and classes/objects with randomizers to track score and build games such as a spelling bee and a pong game.
Students create animations and drawings using clones and functions with boolean and number inputs.
Students apply lists, variables, operators, and conditionals to build capstone projects including an AI chatbot and a music player, and use design thinking to improve accessibility.
Students explore digital literacy topics spanning technology history, online safety, computing systems, file management, source attribution, networking and data packets, data analysis, digital footprints, etiquette, cyberbullying, emerging technology, and effective AI prompting.
Explore a sample lesson from this course!
There are no prerequisites. The course supports every learner, and an optional 4-lesson intro unit covers basic CS vocabulary before students start building programs.
CodeHop, a block-based language where students write, save, and debug programs directly in the platform.
Students move into clones, functions with boolean and number inputs, classes and objects, and randomizers — concepts that go beyond the sequences and loops taught in K–3.
Yes, through short two-question quizzes at the end of some units, available digitally, as a QuizBuzz activity, or on paper.
A substantial one — a 14-lesson unit covers online safety, digital footprints, cyberbullying, digital etiquette, and secure communication, alongside data and networks.
