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What Computers Do

Second graders learn what computers are and what they do — helpful machines that follow our instructions step by step, work super fast, and are found all around us, always controlled by people.

Grade 2Computing Systems30 minutes1 class periodUse → Modify → CreateExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain what a computer is.
  • ✓Know computers follow instructions.
  • ✓See computers are everywhere.
  • ✓Know people are the boss.
Essential Question

Computers are all around us — in games, phones, even microwaves! But what IS a computer, and what does it do?

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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 Computer Explorer

Project this and tap each idea. Have children learn what computers are and what they do.

💻 Explore what computers do — tap eachTry it

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

30 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — All Around Us

4 min

Computers are everywhere — but what IS a computer?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Point out computers.
  • Ask what they do.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Think.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

8 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Be a “computer” that follows steps.
  • Do them exactly.
  • Feel the idea.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Follow.
  • Be exact.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Explore Computers

9 min

Children use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to the Computer Explorer.
  • Note following instructions.
  • Note people control them.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Note it.
  • Explain.
4

Modify — Look Around

6 min

Children modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Find computers in the room.
  • Say what each helps do.
  • Explain it.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Find them.
  • Say it.
  • Explain.
5

Create — Create

3 min

Children conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Say what a computer does.
  • Name where you see one.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Name one.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
1A-CS-01

Describe how computing devices are used.

CSTA
1A-CS-02

Use computing devices to do tasks.

CSTA
1A-IC-16

Compare how people use computing.

ISTE
1

Empowered Learner.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Computer picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “A computer helps me ___.”
  • Point to devices.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with “computers help us.”
  • Use pictures.
  • Name one device.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • List more computers.
  • Explain what one does.
  • Draw a computer helper.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 💻Device pictures
  • 💻The Computer Explorer
  • 📱Real devices (for show)
  • 🖍️Crayons
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

computera machine that helps usmachinea tool that does workinstructiona step to followdevicea computer like a tabletfastquickhelpto make easiercontrolto tell what to dotoolsomething that helps you
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
What is a computer?
A machine that helps us do things and follows our instructions.
QUESTION 2
Do computers think on their own?
No — they only do what we tell them, step by step.
QUESTION 3
Name a place you find a computer.
A phone, tablet, car, or even a microwave.

Create: computer hunt.

Have children find three computers at home (like a tablet or microwave) and tell what each one does. A printable computers 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.

🃏 What Computers DoFlip
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.

📝 What Computers DoQuiz
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.

🖨️ What Computers DoPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: computer, control, device, fast, help, instruction, machine, tool
  1. to make easier
  2. a machine that helps us
  3. a computer like a tablet
  4. a step to follow
  5. to tell what to do
  6. quick
  7. something that helps you
  8. a tool that does work

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a computer?
  2. Do computers think on their own?
  3. Name a place you find a computer.
Answer key — Part A: 1) help · 2) computer · 3) device · 4) instruction · 5) control · 6) fast · 7) tool · 8) machine
Part B: 1) A machine that helps us do things and follows our instructions. 2) No — they only do what we tell them, step by step. 3) A phone, tablet, car, or even a microwave.