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Problem Solving

Ninth graders learn the problem-solving process programmers use — understand, break down, plan with pseudocode, code, and test — turning a big challenge into manageable steps.

Grade 9Computational Thinking50 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 problem solving.
  • ✓Use pseudocode.
  • ✓Order the steps.
  • ✓Break down a problem.
Essential Question

Programmers don’t just start typing — they solve problems step by step. What’s the process for turning a problem into working 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
Put in Order · Interactive

Order the Problem-Solving Steps

Project this and have students put the problem-solving steps in order — from understanding to testing.

🧩 Put the problem-solving steps in order!Try it
Tap the first step!
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 — Don’t Just Type

5 min

Programmers solve problems step by step — what’s the process?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a big problem.
  • Ask how to start.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Consider.
  • Predict.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

11 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Break a problem into parts.
  • Write pseudocode.
  • Feel the process.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Break it.
  • Plan it.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Order the Steps

15 min

Students use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Order the Problem-Solving Steps.
  • Order them.
  • Explain them.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order.
  • Explain.
  • Check.
4

Modify — Solve It

14 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Break down a real problem.
  • Write pseudocode.
  • Plan the code.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Break it.
  • Plan it.
  • Explain.
5

Create — Create

5 min

Students conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a step.
  • Explain decomposition.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Explain 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
3A-AP-17

Decompose problems into parts.

CSTA
3A-AP-13

Plan and create programs.

CSTA
3A-AP-18

Use pseudocode and planning.

ISTE
5

Computational Thinker.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Step cards.
  • Sentence frame: “First ___, then ___.”
  • Use a sample problem.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with understand and test.
  • Order two at a time.
  • Use a simple problem.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Solve a real challenge.
  • Write full pseudocode.
  • Explain decomposition.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🧩Problem cards
  • 💻Order the Problem-Solving Steps
  • 📝Pseudocode templates
  • ✏️Pens
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

problem solvingfinding a solution step by stepdecomposeto break into partspseudocodeplain-language code planplanthe steps you’ll takeunderstandto get the problem clearlytestto try and check itdebugto fix errorssolutionthe working answer
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 good FIRST step in solving a problem?
Understand the problem clearly.
QUESTION 2
What does it mean to decompose a problem?
To break it into smaller, easier parts.
QUESTION 3
What is pseudocode?
A plan of the steps written in plain language.

Create: break it down.

Have students take a problem and break it into smaller parts, then write pseudocode for one part. A printable problem-solving 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.

🃏 Problem SolvingFlip
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.

📝 Problem SolvingQuiz
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.

🖨️ Problem SolvingPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: debug, decompose, plan, problem solving, pseudocode, solution, test, understand
  1. plain-language code plan
  2. to try and check it
  3. finding a solution step by step
  4. the steps you’ll take
  5. to break into parts
  6. the working answer
  7. to get the problem clearly
  8. to fix errors

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a good FIRST step in solving a problem?
  2. What does it mean to decompose a problem?
  3. What is pseudocode?
Answer key — Part A: 1) pseudocode · 2) test · 3) problem solving · 4) plan · 5) decompose · 6) solution · 7) understand · 8) debug
Part B: 1) Understand the problem clearly. 2) To break it into smaller, easier parts. 3) A plan of the steps written in plain language.