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Databases

Eleventh graders learn how databases organize information — tables, records, fields, and queries — and that SQL is the language used to search and manage the data that powers apps and websites.

Grade 11Data55 minutes1 class periodUse → Modify → CreateExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain a database.
  • ✓Name tables/records/fields.
  • ✓Understand a query.
  • ✓Connect data to apps.
Essential Question

Every app, website, and store runs on databases. How is all that data organized — and how do you get it back out?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

The Databases Explorer

Project this and tap each part. Have students learn how databases organize data.

💻 Explore databases — tap eachTry it

The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — Data Behind Everything

6 min

Every app and site runs on databases — how is the data organized?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a data table.
  • Ask how apps store data.
  • Set up.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Wonder.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

11 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Build a table on paper.
  • Add records and fields.
  • Write a query in words.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Table it.
  • Fill it.
  • Query it.
3

Use — Explore Databases

16 min

Students use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Databases Explorer.
  • Note table/record/field.
  • Note queries.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Note them.
  • Explain.
4

Modify — Modify

13 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Design a table for a task.
  • Choose the fields.
  • Write a query.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Design it.
  • Choose them.
  • Query it.
5

Create — Create

9 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Explain a database’s parts.
  • Describe a query.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Explain.
  • Describe.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (Level 3) and ISTE Standards.

CSTA
3A-DA-11

Organize and store data.

CSTA
3A-DA-12

Use data to solve problems.

CSTA
2-DA-08

Model data with tables.

ISTE
5

Computational Thinker.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Database-part cards.
  • Sentence frame: “A ___ holds ___.”
  • Use a sample table.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with table and record.
  • Use a spreadsheet.
  • Name one part.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Write a simple SQL query.
  • Relate two tables.
  • Design a database schema.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 📊A sample table
  • 💻The Databases Explorer
  • 📄Data handouts
  • ✏️Pens
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

databasean organized store of datatablerows and columns of datarecordone row (one item)fieldone column (one data type)querya request for dataSQLa database languagefilterto narrow resultsschemaa database’s structure
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
How does a database organize data?
Into tables, like a spreadsheet with rows and columns.
QUESTION 2
What is a record?
One row — all the data about one item.
QUESTION 3
What is a query?
A request to find or filter specific data.

Create: model the data.

Have students design a small table with fields for a real collection (like books or games). A printable databases sheet is in the Computer Science library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 DatabasesFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 DatabasesQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ DatabasesPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: database, field, filter, query, record, schema, SQL, table
  1. rows and columns of data
  2. an organized store of data
  3. a database’s structure
  4. one row (one item)
  5. a database language
  6. a request for data
  7. to narrow results
  8. one column (one data type)

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. How does a database organize data?
  2. What is a record?
  3. What is a query?
Answer key — Part A: 1) table · 2) database · 3) schema · 4) record · 5) SQL · 6) query · 7) filter · 8) field
Part B: 1) Into tables, like a spreadsheet with rows and columns. 2) One row — all the data about one item. 3) A request to find or filter specific data.