CS K8 Resources for CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) Website
(resources listed in alphabetical order, and by age/grade)
Check out these free (unless otherwise noted) K8 CS resources:
Starting in Kindergarten (K-8)
Starting in 1st
Starting in 2nd
Starting in 3rd
Starting 4th
Starting in 5th grade
Starting in 6th
(resources listed in alphabetical order, and by age/grade)
Check out these free (unless otherwise noted) K8 CS resources:
Starting in Kindergarten (K-8)
- Curriculum
- CSTA K-8 Computer Science - Building a Solid Foundation: This document is a comprehensive look at K-8 CS. You will find dozens of articles offering a variety of perspectives and examples of implementation and engagement for younger students. Suitable for grades K-8+
- Computer Science Unplugged: a series of lessons that teach CS concepts without a computer. Suitable for K8+ and includes a teacher’s edition that focuses on K-5.
- Traveling Circuits: lesson plans for activities that teach computer science concepts without the use of a computer. Suitable for K8+.
- IPad Apps
- Daisy The Dinosaur: Daisy the Dinosaur is a great introduction to scratch / logo programming for young learners. It is available for iPad. Daisy the Dinosaur is made by the people who created Hopscotch. Suitable for grades K-2.
- Programming Languages
- Blockly: Blockly is a web-based, open source, graphical programming editor that can be embedded into a larger project. Blockly was influenced by App Inventor and Scratch. Users can export their programs as JavaScript or Python code. Suitable for grades K-8+
- Kinderlogo: a programming language in which students don’t need to know how to read. Suitable for preK2. Software and curriculum for purchase.
- National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - Ladybug Leaf & Ladybug Mazes: Virtual manipulative that provides students with an environment similar to the Logo programming environment that allows them to create, try out and revise plans. Suitable for grades K-5. Two price points. One free and one charge.
- Puzzles
- Kodable - Kodable is an educational iPad game providing a kid friendly introduction to programming concepts and problem solving to kids 5 and up. Curriculum will be available. Suitable for grades K-5.
- Botlogic - On-line logic game to help teach children (and adults) how to program. Suitable for grades K-8+
- Robotics
- Bee-Bot: Bee-Bot is a good physical robot that K-2 students can control. Can connect to a related iPad app or web software/Kinderlogo. Software and curriculum for purchase. Suitable for grades K-6
Starting in 1st
- Turtle Art: Turtle Art lets you make images with your computer. The Turtle follows a sequence of commands. You specify the sequence by snapping together puzzle like blocks. This kind of programming is inspired by the LOGO programming language. It was designed to be easy enough for children and yet powerful enough for people of all ages. Turtle Art is focused on making images while allowing you to explore geometry and programming. Suitable for grades 1-8+
Starting in 2nd
- Hopscotch: Hopscotch picks up where Daisy the Dinosaur leaves off and opens up the possibilities of logo / scratch programming with much more to offer. Suitable for grades 2 - 6.
Starting in 3rd
- Go Berserk - A book (and website) plus a IPad App to teach children to build websites. Curriculum also available to purchase. Check website for current cost. $$ Suitable for grades 3-8+.
- Kodu: a visual programming language used to create video games. Contains built in tutorials. Suitable for grades 3-8+.
- Lego WeDo: a visual programming language used to create simple LEGO robots. Materials and software required; available here. Suitable for grades 3-5+.
- LEGO NXT Robotics: a visual programming language used to build LEGO robots. Must purchase materials and software. Suitable for grades 3-8+. Free curriculum for grades 6-8 that relate programming to STEM subjects.
- Lightbot: a visual programming language with built-in levels for users to advance through. Suitable for grades 3-8+.
- MakeyMakey: MakeyMakey provides learners with the opportunity to control the keyboard by completing circuits. Anything that is a conductor of electricity can be used by clipping the alligator clips and completing the circuit. Great for use with Scratch, creating game controllers, etc. Suitable grades 3-8.
- Mozilla Hackasaurus: Hackasaurus allows kids to remix/change/mod their favorite web sites via a visual toolset. It's based on the idea of revealing the structure of web programming to move students from passive consumers of the digital media to active producers. Suitable for grades 5+.
- PicoBoards: Using the Scratch programming language, you can easily create simple interactive programs based on the input from sensors. Designed for educators and beginners, the PicoBoard is a good way to get into the very basics of programming and reading sensors. Suitable for grades 3-8+. Check website for cost.
- Processing: a text based programming language focusing on artistic creation. Find teacher created curriculum here. Download Free IDE or use Khan Academy’s online version on their CS platform. Has some introductory videos on the site. Suitable for grades 3-8+.
- Scratch: a visual programming language to create 2D animations. Suitable for grades 3-8+. Find scratch curriculum here that is created by teachers.
- SNAP!: a visual programming language which is an extension of Scratch. Users can create their own blocks in SNAP! Suitable for grades 3-8+
- Tynker: a visual programming language based on Scratch that include tutorials and classroom management for teachers. Suitable for grades 3-8+.
Starting 4th
- Mozilla Thimble: Thimble makes it ridiculously simple for students create their own web pages. Write and edit HTML and CSS right in the browser. Students can Instantly preview their work. There are also ready made projects for students to use to introduce them to the basics of HTML. Suitable for grades 4-8+
- Starlogo TNG: StarLogo TNG is a 3D modeling and simulation software that might serve as a follow up programming environment for students proficient with Scratch. It brings a blocks-based programming interface, allowing for importing of sound files and 3D models, that make it a great tool for programming educational video games, simulations, and models of complex systems. Suitable for grades 4-8+
Starting in 5th grade
- Computer Science for Fun: Site explores how computer science is also about people, solving puzzles,creativity, changing the future and, most of all, having fun. Reinforces computer science concepts without the use of a computer. Suitable for 5-8+
- Mozilla Hackasaurus: Hackasaurus allows kids to remix/change/mod their favorite web sites via a visual toolset. It's based on the idea of revealing the structure of web programming to move students from passive consumers of the digital media to active producers. Suitable for grades 5-8+.
- Robozzle - (two versions, one on-line and one IPad app)
Starting in 6th
- App Inventor: a visual programming language for the creation of mobile apps. Suitable for grades 68+. Includes tutorials here and here, and curriculum guides here.
- LearnStreet: online tutorials for students to learn text based programming languages. Suitable for grades 6-8+. Built-in teacher dashboard and educator resources.
- GameMaker: a text based programming language used to create video games with built-in tutorials. Suitable for grades 6-8+.
- CodeHS: student directed curriculum teaching text based programming. Suitable for grades 6-8+. Free to try, but schools must purchase license.
- Bootstrap: a text based programming language that uses algebra and geometry concepts to create video games. Comes with curriculum. Suitable for grades 6-8+.
- Alice: An Educational Software that teaches students computer programming in a 3D environment. Suitable for grades 6-8+
- Looking Glass: Alice derivative (Need additional info)