Every LASD TK-8th grade student is learning computer science — how to use code to express their creativity and make projects that are relevant to them. Computer science builds problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills, and provides a way to experiment with math concepts. 

LASD Computer Science Teachers

Our strong computer science teaching team has developed a curriculum that integrates new ideas and devices and provides a cohesive experience for TK-8th-grade students.

Alex Shroeder - Almond, Oak, Santa Rita, Covington
Brandon Marquis - Loyola, Gardner Bullis, Springer, Covington
Sheena Vaidyanathan - Blach, Egan

Basic principles that younger students learn are reinforced and expanded each year. In the classroom, our teachers strive to help all students feel successful as they learn computer science by participating in engaging projects. This school year, the focus is on the core competencies a computer programmer needs. Students acquire fundamental coding skills they will use throughout their years of learning.

TK-6th grade students learn computer science as part of the curriculum. Students engage in projects that apply their computer programming to hands-on experiences.

Junior high students have computer science integrated into their core classes, such as math and science, and they have an opportunity to sign up for computer science elective courses.

Computer Science Instruction By Grade
LASD students start learning the basic concepts of computer science, like algorithms, by manipulating physical objects in Kindergarten. Each year throughout their time in elementary school, they receive more computer science instruction, building on the skills they learned in earlier grades. Here’s a brief description of what students learn in each grade level.

Transitional Kindergarten

This school year, for the first time, Transitional Kindergarten students will be introduced to computer science basics.

• Sequencing
• Algorithms

Students learn core concepts using unplugged hands-on activities that do not use any screens or devices. 

Kindergarten

• Input and Output
• Sequencing 
• Algorithms

Students use Bee-Bot robots - a physical tangible object that turns abstract coding into something real that they can see and is simple and fun to use. They also use ScratchJr app on iPads.

1st Grade

• Sequencing
• Algorithms 
• Events

Students use Bee-Bot robots and ScratchJr app on iPads.

2nd Grade

• Algorithms 
• Events
• Loops

Students use ScratchJr app on iPads and Ozobots. Ozobots are simple tiny robots that have sensors to detect color and can move based on lines drawn on paper.

3rd Grade

• Algorithms 
• Loops
• Parallelism
• Basic Events

Students use Scratch on computers/Chromebooks. Scratch has more functionality than ScratchJr. They create more complex projects that include loops, parallelism, and basic events.

4th Grade

• Conditionals
• Advanced Events
• Abstraction

Students use Scratch on Computers/Chromebooks and the Microbit, a small computer that can connect to the outside world and program it using Makecode. They make their projects more complex by adding in conditionals statements. Using the microbit they learn about “abstraction” – taking something in the real world and making it as simple as possible so you can turn it into a coding project. 

5th Grade

• Variables
• Functions
• Abstraction

Students use Scratch on the Computer/Chromebook, Java Script, Microbit, Makecode. Students learn to decompose large problems into smaller portable chunks so they can make bigger projects without getting overwhelmed. They continue to use the concept of Abstraction to simplify projects so they can be converted to code. 

Students then advance to more complicated projects with Microbits and learn text-based coding using JavaScript toward the end of 5th grade.

6th Grade

• Web Design Basics
• User Interface/Experience
• Variables
• Functions
• Google Site, Java Script, Makecode (to program Microbits), Arcade (game software), Finch robot

New this year, 6th graders are learning web design basics using only the Google Suite, so they can easily push out their ideas and have a place to put all their computer science projects. Parents and teachers will have an opportunity to look at all their projects in one space. Their Scratch games will be on their site, so it is a simple and secure way to share their creations.

6th graders learn about variables and functions and more complicated programming concepts, and they create with Makecode and the Finch robot.

Junior High

Blach and Egan students have computer science integrated into their core classes, such as math and science, and they have an opportunity to sign up for a computer science elective course. This fun hands-on class is designed to help students learn computer science skills so they can express their creativity and solve problems. Using the programming language Python, they get a deeper understanding of how computers work, study algorithms, data, the internet, and learn to design and code their own projects. The curriculum includes:

• Python programming language
• Algorithms
• Data - binary, text representation etc.
• How the Internet works
• Impact of computing
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Blach students also have another elective  - Coding Apps Games and More, a project-based class that uses different JavaScript coding tools to create apps, games, and program Microbits to control LEDs (physical computing). This class gives students opportunities to create a variety of projects and teaches them user interfaces, peer testing, and presentation skills.

"My son has had the good fortune to take both computer science electives at the junior high with Mrs.V. She is an absolute treasure and such an incredible asset to our students!" – LASD parent

LASD has been a leader in computer science presenting at STEM and CS Education conferences and writing articles for the past 10+ years. Unlike most districts, we provide computer science instruction to every student every year, from Transitional Kindergarten to 8th grade. LASD makes sure that groups that are not often well-represented — such as girls, English language learners, and Special Education students — have access to this important and exciting field.

Through learning to code, our students develop problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity so they better understand the digital world around them. The LASD computer science teaching team continues to innovate, ensuring that our students remain engaged, passionate, and well-prepared to excel.