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Programming Vocabulary

Sixth graders learn the core words every coder uses, from variable and loop to conditional and function, and match each term to what it actually means.

Grade 6Programming Vocabulary50 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…

  • ✓Learn core code terms.
  • ✓Link each term to its meaning.
  • ✓Use the words correctly.
  • ✓Match each pair.
Essential Question

Every field has its words, and code is no different. What do the core programming terms mean, and how does knowing them help you read and write code?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Term

Project this and match each programming term to what it means — tap a term, then tap its meaning.

📖 Match each programming term to what it meansTry it
Term
What it means
Tap a term, then tap what it means.
The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

50 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — Speak Code

5 min

Coders throw around words like “loop” and “variable.” What do they actually mean, and why does knowing them help you read code?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Ask which terms they know.
  • List guesses.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Match the Term

12 min

Students match each term to its meaning.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the Term.
  • Match each pair.
  • Note the meaning.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Spot It in Code

13 min

Students find terms in a program.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Read a short program.
  • Point to each term.
  • Name what it does.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Read.
  • Point.
  • Name.
4

Create — Code Glossary

15 min

Students build a glossary.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • List the key terms.
  • Write a kid-friendly meaning.
  • Add a tiny example.

🎒 Student Actions

  • List.
  • Write.
  • Add.
5

Reflect — Talk Like a Coder

5 min

Students reflect on the vocabulary.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What is a variable?
  • What does a loop do?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • 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
2-AP-11

Create clearly named variables that store data.

CSTA
2-AP-12

Use loops and conditionals in programs.

CSTA
2-AP-14

Use precise language to describe code.

ISTE
5c

Use computational vocabulary to describe solutions.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Term + meaning cards.
  • Sentence frame: “A ___ is ___ .”
  • Match one pair at a time.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with variable and loop.
  • Show each term in a tiny example.
  • Match one term fully before the next.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Spot each term in real code.
  • Add parameter and return.
  • Write a sentence using three terms.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🖼️Term + meaning cards
  • 💻Match the Term
  • 📜Sample code snippet
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

variablea named box that stores a valueloopcode that repeats a set of stepsconditionalcode that runs only if something is truefunctiona reusable named block of codeinputinformation a program takes inoutputinformation a program sends outvaluea piece of data, like a number or wordalgorithma step-by-step set of instructions
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 variable?
A named box that stores a value, like a number or a word, that a program can use and change.
QUESTION 2
What does a loop do?
It repeats a set of steps, so you do not have to write the same code over and over.
QUESTION 3
What is a conditional?
Code that runs only if something is true, letting a program make decisions.

Create: a code glossary.

Have students list the key programming terms, write a kid-friendly meaning for each, and add a tiny example, building a glossary they can keep. A printable programming-vocabulary 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.

🃏 Programming VocabularyFlip
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.

📝 Programming VocabularyQuiz
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.

🖨️ Programming VocabularyPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: algorithm, conditional, function, input, loop, output, value, variable
  1. a reusable named block of code
  2. information a program takes in
  3. a piece of data, like a number or word
  4. a step-by-step set of instructions
  5. code that runs only if something is true
  6. information a program sends out
  7. a named box that stores a value
  8. code that repeats a set of steps

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a variable?
  2. What does a loop do?
  3. What is a conditional?
Answer key — Part A: 1) function · 2) input · 3) value · 4) algorithm · 5) conditional · 6) output · 7) variable · 8) loop
Part B: 1) A named box that stores a value, like a number or a word, that a program can use and change. 2) It repeats a set of steps, so you do not have to write the same code over and over. 3) Code that runs only if something is true, letting a program make decisions.