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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.

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.

Pattern recognition is the second step in the computational thinking process. Once a problem is decomposed, similarities or common differences are identified that will help in making predictions or discovering shortcuts. This step is called pattern recognition. For example, a driver looks for patterns when driving in traffic to help them decide if and when to change lanes. In science, patterns are described as regular sequences that can be found throughout nature. In math, patterns are described as a repeated sequence of objects, numbers, colors, or letters. 
 

Provide students with multiple examples containing simple patterns. Ask students to identify the pattern in each example. Next, show students a picture of an incomplete simple pattern and two pattern options for what may come next in the sequence. Ask the students to point to [predict] the option that completes each sequence.
 

Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

the principle of ignoring those aspects of a subject that are not relevant to the current purpose in order to concentrate solely on those that are
 

a combination of qualities, acts, tendencies, etc., forming a consistent or characteristic arrangement