Substitute Lesson Plan: Introducing Exploring Computer Science

Objective

Students will be able to describe the overall goals of the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) course and identify the six units of study students will move through over the course of the year, based on the course's Table of Contents and Course Overview.

Materials

• Printed or projected copies of the "Course Overview" section (Goals, Standards, Prerequisites, Hardware) and the Table of Contents from Exploring Computer Science — Full Curriculum
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Paper or notecards for the exit ticket

Warm-up (~5 min)

1. Write on the board: "What do you think computer science is about?"
2. Give students 2 minutes to jot down a quick answer individually.
3. Ask for 3–4 volunteers to share their answers aloud. Do not correct or add outside information — just collect ideas on the board.

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Whole-class read-aloud (8 min): As a class, read aloud the "Goals" section of the Course Overview. Pause to highlight these key points from the text:
2. ECS focuses on the conceptual ideas of computing, not just specific software tools or programming languages.
3. The course develops algorithm development, problem solving, and programming skills through problems relevant to students' lives.
4. Students will also explore interface design, the limits of computers, and societal/ethical issues.
5. ECS was created to broaden participation in computing, especially for girls and students of color.

1. Table of Contents exploration (7 min): Show students the Table of Contents listing the six units:
2. Unit 1: Human Computer Interaction (4 weeks)
3. Unit 2: Problem Solving (4 weeks)
4. Unit 3: Web Design (5 weeks)
5. Unit 4: Introduction to Programming (6 weeks)
6. Unit 5: Computing and Data Analysis (6 weeks)
7. Unit 6: Robotics (7 weeks)

Ask students to notice the order and length (in weeks) of each unit.

1. Small-group task (10 min): Divide students into 6 small groups (or fewer, with groups covering multiple units). Assign each group one unit name and its number of weeks from the list above. Using only the unit title and week count, each group should discuss and write down:
2. What they predict the unit might cover, based on its title
3. One question they have about that unit

Have each group briefly share their prediction and question with the class (about 1 minute per group).

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students answer the following on paper individually, using complete sentences:

1. Name at least three of the six units in the ECS course.
2. According to the Course Overview, is ECS more focused on learning specific software/programming languages, or on the conceptual ideas of computing? Explain in one sentence.
3. According to the text, who was ECS originally designed to reach in Los Angeles?

Collect exit tickets as students leave or place them in a designated bin.

If Time Remains

Ask students to reread the "Prerequisites" and "Hardware" portions of the Course Overview. Have them discuss with a partner: Why might a class like this be designed to work with a 2:1 student-to-computer ratio, given that the text describes the course as having a "collaborative nature"? Have a few pairs share their thinking with the class.