Middle School

Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of programming languages and how they are used to communicate with computers.

Demonstrate the use of logic and problem solving, and relate these concepts to computer programming.

Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental structured programming concepts.

Demonstrate proficiency in basic programming and working with data.

Define ”programming,” and discuss its role in computing.

Explain the binary representation of data and programs in computers.

Distinguish among the three types of programming languages (machine, assembly, high-level), and give examples. 

Compare and contrast languages that are usually compiled (e.g., C++, Java) and interpreted (e.g., JavaScript, Python).

Describe the structure of a simple program, and explain why sequencing is important.

Write a program design document using pseudocode that shows program flow.

The strategies used in problem solving, and how they relate to computer programming.

An ”algorithm,” is a set of rules or instructions for performing a task or problem solving.

There are three types of programming errors (i.e., logic, syntax, runtime). There are different forms of testing that can be used to locate and debug errors. 

Solve a problem using logic by planning a strategy, designing and testing a hypothesis, and/or creating a set of step-by-step instructions to perform a task.

Define ”structured programming,” and discuss the advantages of this approach. 

Define the three main programming control structures used in structured programming: sequential, selection (decision), and iteration (loops).

Describe iterative programming structures (e.g., while, do/while, etc.) and how they are used in programming. 

Describe selection programming structures (e.g., if/then, else) and explain the logic used for if statements. 

Write a simple program in pseudocode that uses structured programming to solve a problem.

Explain the types and uses of variables in programming.

Explain basic object-oriented concepts.

Describe fundamental Boolean concepts, including Boolean algebra, operators, logic.

Create animated objects using a high-level programming environment (e.g., Alice, Greenfoot) to control their behavior.

Create a simple program that uses animated objects.

Convert a simple program from pseudocode into a common high-level programming environment (e.g., Alice, Greenfoot). 

Create a simple program using a high-level programming environment (e.g., Alice, Greenfoot).

Troubleshoot and debug errors in code.