Virginia Programming Scheme of Work

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Code-it Scratch programming adaptations for schools following Virginia State Computing Science Standards . (W)eb versions are free. (B)ook versions, code, and slides are linked here, but the pupil booklets and marksheets need to be photocopied from the book(s). Some code templates linked here have been modified to suit Virginia state standards. The highlighted rows are good starter modules. Non-highlighted modules are good extension modules.

Grade Module Name (Book Web) Computing Standards (CS) Mathematics (M) English (E) History (H) Science (S) Health (He) Method
Grade 2 Scratch Environment W   Self-Learning Video
Grade 2 Animal Challenges B CS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
H 2.11
Instruction
Grade 2 Conversation B CS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
E 2.10 H 2.10
Instruction
Grade 2 Fish Fun B CS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
H 2.11
Instruction
Grade 2 Animation B CS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
H 2.5
Instruction
Grade 2 Ladybug Munch B CS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
H 2.4
PRIMM
       
Grade 3 Toy Give Away B CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
H 3.1 H 3.2
PRIMM
Grade 3 Exploring 2D Shapes B CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
M 3.MG.4
PRIMM
Grade 3 Come Back Doggy B CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
S 3.7
PRIMM
Grade 3 Fishtank B CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
He 3.3
PRIMM
Grade 3 Helicopter Game B CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
He 3.3
PRIMM
       
Grade 4 Virginia Variables W CS 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
M 4.NS.5, M 4.CE.1
PRIMM
Grade 4 Drawing with Variables W CS 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
M 4.MG.6
PRIMM
       
Grade 5 Making Choices B CS 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5
H USI.1, USI.2 to USI.9
PRIMM
Grade 5 Wizards Choice Two B CS 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5
H USI.1, USI.2 to USI.9
PRIMM
       
Grade 6 Ocean Pollution B CS 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
M 6.NS.1, S 6.9
PRIMM
Grade 6 Butterfly Fun B CS 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
M 6.NS.1
PRIMM
Grade 6 Walker One W CS 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 PRIMM
Grade 6 Ada Lovelace B CS 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
M 6.MG.1
PRIMM
       
Grade 8 Orange Run W CS 8.1,  PRIMM
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Programming Progression

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Research Influences

Introductory elements of many modules have been influenced by the cognitive load work of John Sweller.

Use Modify Create is the idea of Irene Lee et al and helps us start by examining code rather than building code.

PRIMM is the idea of Sue Sentance and is an adaptation of Use Modify Create. It stands for Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make. She introduces the idea of code comprehension to help students think deeply about code before writing their own code.

4 levels of abstraction Jane Waitereviewing primary teachers use of planning in programming found that there was little understanding of the difference between an algorithm and code and no coherent planning structure. She suggested that we adapt the work of Armoni and use four levels of abstraction. Ideas level: What do I want to create in general terms? Design level: including an algorithm, objects to use and initialisation. Code level: where we turn algorithm into code. Run the code or execute level: Where we test the code.

Concept before code has been influenced by the work of Shuchi Grover.

Progression in programming concepts has been influenced by the work of the everyday computing team. Their excellent trajectories have informed the internal order of many of the concepts.

Every module ends with a make/create section. These have been influenced by the work of Seymour Papert

As always, all misconceptions are my own.

Phil Bagge, October 15, 2023

Books can be ordered directly from the publisher via this link

Virginia Tech Innovation campus