Computer Science

Computer Science — Grade 3

American Curriculum · Ages 8-9

Third grade computer science introduces decisions. Students combine sequence, loops and conditionals so a program can respond differently depending on what happens, and learn to break a task into smaller parts before building it.

They begin working with data — entering it into a spreadsheet, sorting it and making a chart to answer a question — and learn how a search engine finds results and why some sources are more trustworthy than others.

Key topics covered

• Conditionals — Using if-statements so a program responds to different situations.
• Decomposition — Breaking a problem into smaller steps before coding it.
• Programming — Sequence, loops and events combined in a working Scratch project.
• Data & Charts — Entering, sorting and charting data to answer a question.
• Searching Online — How search works and judging whether a source is reliable.
• Online Safety — Personal information, safe behavior and reporting problems.