Knowledge and Skills Statement
Computational thinking--foundations. The student explores the core concepts of computational thinking, a set of problem-solving processes that involve decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms.
Further Explanation
The further explanation is designed to be a resource for educators that helps them better understand the topic their students are learning. Further explanations may be written at a more complex level than would be expected for students at the grade level.
The final step in computational thinking is to design an algorithm or develop a step-by-step strategy for solving a problem. Algorithmic thinking involves both the creation and the execution of an algorithm. For example, when a grandmother writes down a family recipe for her signature dish, she creates an algorithm that others can follow to replicate the dish. In social studies, when using maps to get directions to a friend’s house, there is a specific sequence of steps to follow. In science investigations, students have a set of instructions to carry out, so one can collect and analyze data. In math, when solving a problem, students are working an algorithm.