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Input & Output

Ninth graders learn how computers take in information (input) and give back results (output) — the basic flow that every program follows, from a keyboard press to text on the screen.

Grade 9Computing Systems50 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 input.
  • ✓Explain output.
  • ✓Sort examples.
  • ✓Trace the flow.
Essential Question

A computer takes in information and gives back results — that’s input and output. What counts as input, and what counts as output?

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

Input or Output?

Project this and sort each example into input (info going in) or output (results coming out).

↔️ Sort each — input or output?Try it
⬅️ Input (goes in)
➡️ Output (comes out)
Tap an example, then tap a bucket.
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 — In and Out

5 min

A computer takes info in and gives results out — what’s which?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Type, then see the screen.
  • Ask which is in/out.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Wonder.
  • Predict.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

11 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • List input devices.
  • List output devices.
  • Feel the flow.

🎒 Student Actions

  • List in.
  • List out.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Input or Output

15 min

Students use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Input or Output?
  • Sort each one.
  • Explain them.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Sort.
  • Explain.
  • Check.
4

Modify — Trace It

14 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Trace a program’s input.
  • Trace its output.
  • Explain the flow.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Trace in.
  • Trace out.
  • Explain.
5

Create — Create

5 min

Students conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give an input example.
  • Give an output example.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Give one.
  • Give 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
3A-CS-02

Understand hardware and software roles.

CSTA
3A-CS-03

Describe how systems process data.

CSTA
3A-AP-16

Use input and output in programs.

ISTE
5

Computational Thinker.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Input/output cards.
  • Sentence frame: “___ is input/output.”
  • Use device pictures.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with keyboard vs. screen.
  • Sort one at a time.
  • Use pictures.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Trace a full input-output cycle.
  • Add processing in the middle.
  • Design a device.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • ⌨️Device pictures
  • 💻Input or Output?
  • 📋A flow diagram
  • ✏️Pens
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

inputinformation going into a computeroutputresults coming outkeyboardan input devicescreenan output devicedevicea piece of hardwareprocesswhat happens in betweendatainformationflowthe path of data
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 input?
Information going into a computer, like typing on a keyboard.
QUESTION 2
What is output?
Results coming out, like text on the screen.
QUESTION 3
Is a printed page input or output?
Output.

Create: trace the flow.

Have students name one input and one output for a program they use often. A printable input-output 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.

🃏 Input & OutputFlip
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.

📝 Input & OutputQuiz
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.

🖨️ Input & OutputPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: data, device, flow, input, keyboard, output, process, screen
  1. the path of data
  2. results coming out
  3. information going into a computer
  4. a piece of hardware
  5. information
  6. an output device
  7. an input device
  8. what happens in between

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is input?
  2. What is output?
  3. Is a printed page input or output?
Answer key — Part A: 1) flow · 2) output · 3) input · 4) device · 5) data · 6) screen · 7) keyboard · 8) process
Part B: 1) Information going into a computer, like typing on a keyboard. 2) Results coming out, like text on the screen. 3) Output.