Unplugged activities are lessons that teach computational thinking skills through exploration and play. These activities are highly collaborative and designed to be run easily, without much preparation or supplies.

In this workshop, we’ll explore two unplugged lesson plans, then tinker with some ‘plugged’ extensions together. We’ll identify the relationships between patterning and computational thinking by connecting key mathematical concepts – like cores, attributes, rules, and terms – to computer science practices. We’ll also look at strategies for writing efficient patterning algorithms using materials that get learners away from screens, and even outdoors in nature!

This session may be applied to Kindergarten to grade 3.