Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student

The Teacher’s Getting-Started Guide
Jane Krauss - University of Oregon, USA
Kiki Prottsman
Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student
November 2016 | 208 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781506341293
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Download a free chapter!

Empower tomorrow’s tech innovators

Our students are avid users and consumers of technology. Isn’t it time that they see themselves as the next technological innovators, too?  Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to learn to integrate the basics of computer science into their curriculum. Readers will find 

  • Practical strategies for teaching computational thinking and the beginning steps to introduce coding at any grade level, across disciplines, and during out-of-school time
  • Instruction-ready lessons and activities for every grade
  • Specific guidance for designing a learning pathway for elementary, middle, or high school students
  • Justification for making coding and computer science accessible to all
  • A glossary with definitions of key computer science terms, a discussion guide with tips for making the most of the book,  and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources 

Momentum for computer science education is growing as educators and parents realize how fundamental computing has become for the jobs of the future. This book is for educators who see all of their students as creative thinkers and active contributors to tomorrow’s innovations.

“Kiki Prottsman and Jane Krauss have been at the forefront of the rising popularity of computer science and are experts in the issues that the field faces, such as equity and diversity. In this book, they’ve condensed years of research and practitioner experience into an easy to read narrative about what computer science is, why it is important, and how to teach it to a variety of audiences. Their ideas aren’t just good, they are research-based and have been in practice in thousands of classrooms…So to the hundreds and thousands of teachers who are considering, learning, or actively teaching computer science—this book is well worth your time.”
Pat Yongpradit
Chief Academic Officer, Code.org

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

  • Why This Book? Why Now?
  • What to Expect
  • A Note About Preparation
  • Lights, Camera, Action!

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Part 1: Storyboarding

  • Chapter 1. An Introduction to Computer Science
  • Computer Science Is Within You
  • An Introduction to Computational Thinking
  • What Computer Science Is
  • What Computer Science Is Not
  • Chapter 2. Why Kids Should Have the Opportunity to Learn
  • What Computer Science Really Teaches
  • A Look Back
  • It Would Be Irresponsible Not to Introduce Computer Science

Part 2: Casting Call

  • Chapter 3. Try Your Hand at Coding
  • Time Well Spent
  • Key Strategy: Pair Programming
  • Teacher Warm-ups and Exercises
  • Chapter 4. Getting Started in the Classroom
  • Start Low-Tech
  • Encourage Movement
  • Foster Critical Consumption
  • Protect Privacy and Prevent Cyberbullying
  • Achieve Access
  • Banish Anxiety
  • Chapter 5. Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Computer Science
  • 1. DON’T Expect to Be an Expert
  • 2. DO Let Your Class Explore
  • 3. DO Let Your Class Share
  • 4. DO Give Kids Time to Move
  • 5. DO Get Creative
  • 6. DON’T Be a Bore
  • 7. DO Relate Computer Science to Students’ Lives
  • 8. DON’T Expect Cookie-Cutter Results
  • 9. DO Set Students up for Success
  • 10. DO Treat CS as an Art
  • 11. DO Give It a Try

Part 3: In Production

  • Chapter 6. Activities That Foster Computational Thinking
  • Thinking Computationally
  • Digging Deeper Into Computational Thinking
  • Chapter 7. Decomposition
  • Decomposition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Break It Down!
  • Decomposition: Break It Up!
  • Chapter 8. Pattern Recognition (With Pattern Matching)
  • Pattern Recognition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Divine Patterns
  • Chapter 9. Abstraction
  • Abstraction Resources
  • Lesson Plan: So Abstract
  • Sample Stories
  • Chapter 10. Automation
  • Automation Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Algorithms and Automation— A Compliment Generator
  • A Last Word on Computational Thinking
  • What’s Next?
  • Chapter 11. Activities That Foster Spatial Reasoning
  • Spatial Abilities Tied to Success in STEM
  • “Spatialize” Your Teaching
  • Wrapping It Up
  • Chapter 12: Making With Code
  • Making Within STEAM Studies
  • Design for Design Thinking
  • “Freestyle” Making

Part 4: Your Feature Presentation

  • Chapter 13. Designing a Curriculum Continuum Across K–12
  • Chapter 14. Important Ideas Across All Grades
  • Pair Programming
  • Learning to Learn
  • Resources at the Ready
  • Equitable Practices
  • Chapter 15. The Elementary Pathway
  • Kindergarten and First Grade
  • Second and Third Grades
  • Fourth and Fifth Grades
  • Out-of-School Learning in the Elementary Grades
  • Elementary Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Build an Alligator!
  • Chapter 16. The Middle School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in the Middle Grades
  • Middle School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Create Your Own Fortune
  • Chapter 17. The High School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in High School
  • High School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Roll the Dice
  • Chapter 18. Adapting Lessons for Your Class
  • 1. The Lessons Are Only Suggestions
  • 2. Adapt a Lesson for Younger Students
  • 3. Adapt a Lesson for Older Students
  • 4. Create a Lesson to Squeeze Into Other Curricula
  • Chapter 19. What People Are Doing and How They Are Doing It Well
  • Taking It to the Streets: Build Community Enthusiasm for Computer Science
  • Testimonials

Afterword: Opportunities Abound

Afterword: Opportunities Abound

Discussion Guide

Discussion Guide

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Description

Download a free chapter!

Empower tomorrow’s tech innovators

Our students are avid users and consumers of technology. Isn’t it time that they see themselves as the next technological innovators, too?  Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to learn to integrate the basics of computer science into their curriculum. Readers will find 

  • Practical strategies for teaching computational thinking and the beginning steps to introduce coding at any grade level, across disciplines, and during out-of-school time
  • Instruction-ready lessons and activities for every grade
  • Specific guidance for designing a learning pathway for elementary, middle, or high school students
  • Justification for making coding and computer science accessible to all
  • A glossary with definitions of key computer science terms, a discussion guide with tips for making the most of the book,  and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources 

Momentum for computer science education is growing as educators and parents realize how fundamental computing has become for the jobs of the future. This book is for educators who see all of their students as creative thinkers and active contributors to tomorrow’s innovations.

“Kiki Prottsman and Jane Krauss have been at the forefront of the rising popularity of computer science and are experts in the issues that the field faces, such as equity and diversity. In this book, they’ve condensed years of research and practitioner experience into an easy to read narrative about what computer science is, why it is important, and how to teach it to a variety of audiences. Their ideas aren’t just good, they are research-based and have been in practice in thousands of classrooms…So to the hundreds and thousands of teachers who are considering, learning, or actively teaching computer science—this book is well worth your time.”
Pat Yongpradit
Chief Academic Officer, Code.org

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

  • Why This Book? Why Now?
  • What to Expect
  • A Note About Preparation
  • Lights, Camera, Action!

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Part 1: Storyboarding

  • Chapter 1. An Introduction to Computer Science
  • Computer Science Is Within You
  • An Introduction to Computational Thinking
  • What Computer Science Is
  • What Computer Science Is Not
  • Chapter 2. Why Kids Should Have the Opportunity to Learn
  • What Computer Science Really Teaches
  • A Look Back
  • It Would Be Irresponsible Not to Introduce Computer Science

Part 2: Casting Call

  • Chapter 3. Try Your Hand at Coding
  • Time Well Spent
  • Key Strategy: Pair Programming
  • Teacher Warm-ups and Exercises
  • Chapter 4. Getting Started in the Classroom
  • Start Low-Tech
  • Encourage Movement
  • Foster Critical Consumption
  • Protect Privacy and Prevent Cyberbullying
  • Achieve Access
  • Banish Anxiety
  • Chapter 5. Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Computer Science
  • 1. DON’T Expect to Be an Expert
  • 2. DO Let Your Class Explore
  • 3. DO Let Your Class Share
  • 4. DO Give Kids Time to Move
  • 5. DO Get Creative
  • 6. DON’T Be a Bore
  • 7. DO Relate Computer Science to Students’ Lives
  • 8. DON’T Expect Cookie-Cutter Results
  • 9. DO Set Students up for Success
  • 10. DO Treat CS as an Art
  • 11. DO Give It a Try

Part 3: In Production

  • Chapter 6. Activities That Foster Computational Thinking
  • Thinking Computationally
  • Digging Deeper Into Computational Thinking
  • Chapter 7. Decomposition
  • Decomposition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Break It Down!
  • Decomposition: Break It Up!
  • Chapter 8. Pattern Recognition (With Pattern Matching)
  • Pattern Recognition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Divine Patterns
  • Chapter 9. Abstraction
  • Abstraction Resources
  • Lesson Plan: So Abstract
  • Sample Stories
  • Chapter 10. Automation
  • Automation Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Algorithms and Automation— A Compliment Generator
  • A Last Word on Computational Thinking
  • What’s Next?
  • Chapter 11. Activities That Foster Spatial Reasoning
  • Spatial Abilities Tied to Success in STEM
  • “Spatialize” Your Teaching
  • Wrapping It Up
  • Chapter 12: Making With Code
  • Making Within STEAM Studies
  • Design for Design Thinking
  • “Freestyle” Making

Part 4: Your Feature Presentation

  • Chapter 13. Designing a Curriculum Continuum Across K–12
  • Chapter 14. Important Ideas Across All Grades
  • Pair Programming
  • Learning to Learn
  • Resources at the Ready
  • Equitable Practices
  • Chapter 15. The Elementary Pathway
  • Kindergarten and First Grade
  • Second and Third Grades
  • Fourth and Fifth Grades
  • Out-of-School Learning in the Elementary Grades
  • Elementary Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Build an Alligator!
  • Chapter 16. The Middle School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in the Middle Grades
  • Middle School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Create Your Own Fortune
  • Chapter 17. The High School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in High School
  • High School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Roll the Dice
  • Chapter 18. Adapting Lessons for Your Class
  • 1. The Lessons Are Only Suggestions
  • 2. Adapt a Lesson for Younger Students
  • 3. Adapt a Lesson for Older Students
  • 4. Create a Lesson to Squeeze Into Other Curricula
  • Chapter 19. What People Are Doing and How They Are Doing It Well
  • Taking It to the Streets: Build Community Enthusiasm for Computer Science
  • Testimonials

Afterword: Opportunities Abound

Afterword: Opportunities Abound

Discussion Guide

Discussion Guide

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

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Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student

The Teacher’s Getting-Started Guide

Jane Krauss , Kiki Prottsman
Cancel Print

November 2016 | 208 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781506341286 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781506341293 $35.00

Download a free chapter!

Empower tomorrow’s tech innovators

Our students are avid users and consumers of technology. Isn’t it time that they see themselves as the next technological innovators, too?  Computational Thinking and Coding for Every Student is the beginner’s guide for K-12 educators who want to learn to integrate the basics of computer science into their curriculum. Readers will find 

  • Practical strategies for teaching computational thinking and the beginning steps to introduce coding at any grade level, across disciplines, and during out-of-school time
  • Instruction-ready lessons and activities for every grade
  • Specific guidance for designing a learning pathway for elementary, middle, or high school students
  • Justification for making coding and computer science accessible to all
  • A glossary with definitions of key computer science terms, a discussion guide with tips for making the most of the book,  and companion website with videos, activities, and other resources 

Momentum for computer science education is growing as educators and parents realize how fundamental computing has become for the jobs of the future. This book is for educators who see all of their students as creative thinkers and active contributors to tomorrow’s innovations.

“Kiki Prottsman and Jane Krauss have been at the forefront of the rising popularity of computer science and are experts in the issues that the field faces, such as equity and diversity. In this book, they’ve condensed years of research and practitioner experience into an easy to read narrative about what computer science is, why it is important, and how to teach it to a variety of audiences. Their ideas aren’t just good, they are research-based and have been in practice in thousands of classrooms…So to the hundreds and thousands of teachers who are considering, learning, or actively teaching computer science—this book is well worth your time.”
Pat Yongpradit
Chief Academic Officer, Code.org

Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Why This Book? Why Now?
  • What to Expect
  • A Note About Preparation
  • Lights, Camera, Action!
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Part 1: Storyboarding
  • Chapter 1. An Introduction to Computer Science
  • Computer Science Is Within You
  • An Introduction to Computational Thinking
  • What Computer Science Is
  • What Computer Science Is Not
  • Chapter 2. Why Kids Should Have the Opportunity to Learn
  • What Computer Science Really Teaches
  • A Look Back
  • It Would Be Irresponsible Not to Introduce Computer Science
  • Part 2: Casting Call
  • Chapter 3. Try Your Hand at Coding
  • Time Well Spent
  • Key Strategy: Pair Programming
  • Teacher Warm-ups and Exercises
  • Chapter 4. Getting Started in the Classroom
  • Start Low-Tech
  • Encourage Movement
  • Foster Critical Consumption
  • Protect Privacy and Prevent Cyberbullying
  • Achieve Access
  • Banish Anxiety
  • Chapter 5. Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Computer Science
  • 1. DON’T Expect to Be an Expert
  • 2. DO Let Your Class Explore
  • 3. DO Let Your Class Share
  • 4. DO Give Kids Time to Move
  • 5. DO Get Creative
  • 6. DON’T Be a Bore
  • 7. DO Relate Computer Science to Students’ Lives
  • 8. DON’T Expect Cookie-Cutter Results
  • 9. DO Set Students up for Success
  • 10. DO Treat CS as an Art
  • 11. DO Give It a Try
  • Part 3: In Production
  • Chapter 6. Activities That Foster Computational Thinking
  • Thinking Computationally
  • Digging Deeper Into Computational Thinking
  • Chapter 7. Decomposition
  • Decomposition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Break It Down!
  • Decomposition: Break It Up!
  • Chapter 8. Pattern Recognition (With Pattern Matching)
  • Pattern Recognition Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Divine Patterns
  • Chapter 9. Abstraction
  • Abstraction Resources
  • Lesson Plan: So Abstract
  • Sample Stories
  • Chapter 10. Automation
  • Automation Resources
  • Lesson Plan: Algorithms and Automation— A Compliment Generator
  • A Last Word on Computational Thinking
  • What’s Next?
  • Chapter 11. Activities That Foster Spatial Reasoning
  • Spatial Abilities Tied to Success in STEM
  • “Spatialize” Your Teaching
  • Wrapping It Up
  • Chapter 12: Making With Code
  • Making Within STEAM Studies
  • Design for Design Thinking
  • “Freestyle” Making
  • Part 4: Your Feature Presentation
  • Chapter 13. Designing a Curriculum Continuum Across K–12
  • Chapter 14. Important Ideas Across All Grades
  • Pair Programming
  • Learning to Learn
  • Resources at the Ready
  • Equitable Practices
  • Chapter 15. The Elementary Pathway
  • Kindergarten and First Grade
  • Second and Third Grades
  • Fourth and Fifth Grades
  • Out-of-School Learning in the Elementary Grades
  • Elementary Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Build an Alligator!
  • Chapter 16. The Middle School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in the Middle Grades
  • Middle School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Create Your Own Fortune
  • Chapter 17. The High School Pathway
  • Out-of-School Time in High School
  • High School Computer Science Resources
  • Curriculum: Roll the Dice
  • Chapter 18. Adapting Lessons for Your Class
  • 1. The Lessons Are Only Suggestions
  • 2. Adapt a Lesson for Younger Students
  • 3. Adapt a Lesson for Older Students
  • 4. Create a Lesson to Squeeze Into Other Curricula
  • Chapter 19. What People Are Doing and How They Are Doing It Well
  • Taking It to the Streets: Build Community Enthusiasm for Computer Science
  • Testimonials
  • Afterword: Opportunities Abound
  • Discussion Guide
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Change in education and schooling comes in waves, and coding, computer science, and computational thinking represent the next very big wave. This very readable book will introduce teachers, parents and students to the future."
Dr Neil MacNeill, PhD, EdD.
This book will help a lot of educators take their first steps toward bringing high quality programming experiences to their students. It offers clear examples and good strategies supported by research and best practices.
Sylvia Martinez
Wondering whether this book is for you? Check out the “dos and don’ts” of Chapter 5 and then take them to heart. I did!
Dr. James Cohoon, University of Virginia
This book is so clear and so encouraging. I recommend it to my Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) leaders as we work to incorporate more computer science into our activities. The authors present a comprehensive introduction to computing in a way that’s useful, readable, and fun.
Laura Reasoner Jones

Recommendations