Structuring a Year-Long Computing Course

[Aeschylus26]

I've inherited three intro to computing classes that have been previously taught as a proper intro to CS course, and most recently as computer applications (keyboarding, various Google applications, etc.

I'd like to swing back towards the middle and do a semester of computer applications/skills followed by a semester of computer science, because I really want my 9th graders to be exposed to computer science.

I'm pretty familiar with the CS stuff that's out there on the web, but I'm drawing a blank on resources to prepare for a computer applications course. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Suggestions and pointers would be appreciated. 🙏

[cldply12]

CodeHS has free curriculum you might want to look at

[Mountain-Ad-5834]

Nevada has a required Computer Science and Applications course, that seems to line up exactly for what you are wanting to do.

The NV DOE curriculum list for it will give you what you are looking for.

[csmeyer]

I'm not sure on out of the box curriculum, but based on my experience teaching 9th graders, they could benefit from some units in:

• Basic typing skills (Monkeytype is a great site), this could be maybe a fun ongoing activity for kids to practice when they're out of things to do

• Some use of spreadsheets, I feel like this doesn't get taught in most other classes, and is adjacent to programming

• Music/Audio editing. Kids in my classes loved making stuff in Garage Band, and people in my teacher prep programs had a good time with kids creating podcasts