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Binary: 1s and 0s

Fourth graders discover that computers store everything — numbers, letters, pictures — using just two symbols: 1 and 0. A bit is one ON/OFF switch; eight bits make a byte. They explore binary, then write a short message in bits.

Grade 4Binary: 1s and 0s45 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit 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 a bit.
  • ✓See why computers use 1 and 0.
  • ✓Connect bits to bytes.
  • ✓Write a code in bits.
Essential Question

How can a computer store everything with only 1s and 0s?

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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 Binary Explorer

Project this and tap each. Have students explore how computers use 1s and 0s.

🔢 Explore binary — tap eachTry it

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

45 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — On or Off

5 min

How could a light switch spell out a message?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Flip a switch on/off.
  • Ask what 1 and 0 mean.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Guess.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Binary

10 min

Students use the idea.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Binary Explorer.
  • Tap each idea.
  • Note bit, byte, 1 and 0.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Flip the Bits

12 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Flip a bit from 0 to 1.
  • Count the ON bits.
  • See the value change.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Flip.
  • Count.
  • See it.
4

Create — Make a Code

12 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Write a 5-bit on/off code.
  • Use it for yes/no answers.
  • Decode a partner’s.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Write.
  • Use.
  • Decode.
5

Reflect — Reflect

6 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Say what a bit is.
  • Say the two binary digits.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

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

Built to the standards you report on

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

CSTA
1B-DA-05

Store, copy, and retrieve data in different formats.

CSTA
1B-DA-06

Organize and present data.

CSTA
1B-CS-01

Describe how hardware and software work together.

ISTE
5 Computational Thinker

Represent data to solve problems.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Use light-switch cards.
  • Frame: “on = 1, off = 0.”
  • Flip cards for bits.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Use 4 bits.
  • Count ON bits.
  • Use two colors.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Count 0 to 7 in binary.
  • Spell a letter in binary.
  • Make a binary bracelet.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 💡On/off cards
  • 💻The Binary Explorer
  • 🔢Binary chart
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

binarya code of only 1s and 0sbitone 1 or 0 (on or off)byteeight bits togetherdigita single symbol (0 or 1)on / offwhat 1 and 0 stand fordatainformation a computer storescodesymbols that stand for somethingswitchon/off, like a bit
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 two symbols does binary use?
1 and 0.
QUESTION 2
What is a bit?
One 1 or 0 — on or off.
QUESTION 3
How many bits make a byte?
Eight.

Reflect: binary.

Have students write a short on/off (1/0) code. A printable binary worksheet 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.

🃏 CS Binary 1s and 0s (Grade 4)Flip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
0

Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

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

📝 CS Binary 1s and 0s (Grade 4)Quiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
0%

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.

🖨️ CS Binary 1s and 0s (Grade 4)Print
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: binary, bit, byte, code, data, digit, on / off, switch
  1. a code of only 1s and 0s
  2. what 1 and 0 stand for
  3. one 1 or 0 (on or off)
  4. information a computer stores
  5. a single symbol (0 or 1)
  6. on/off, like a bit
  7. eight bits together
  8. symbols that stand for something

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What two symbols does binary use?
  2. What is a bit?
  3. How many bits make a byte?
Answer key — Part A: 1) binary · 2) on / off · 3) bit · 4) data · 5) digit · 6) switch · 7) byte · 8) code
Part B: 1) 1 and 0. 2) One 1 or 0 — on or off. 3) Eight.