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Machines That Help

Kindergartners learn that computers, tablets, phones, and TVs are machines that help us — and that people are always the ones in charge of them.

KindergartenComputing Systems25 minutes1 class periodUse → Modify → CreateExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Name helpful machines.
  • ✓Know they help us.
  • ✓Know people are the boss.
  • ✓Point to machines.
Essential Question

Lots of machines help us every day — computers, tablets, and phones! What are they, and who tells them what to 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 Machines Explorer

Project this and tap each machine. Have children learn the machines that help us.

💻 Explore machines that help — tap eachTry it

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

25 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — Machines Help Us

3 min

Computers, tablets, phones help us — what are they?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Point to a machine.
  • Ask what it does.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Think.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

7 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name machines you know.
  • Say what each helps do.
  • Feel the idea.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name them.
  • Say it.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Explore Machines

7 min

Children use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to the Machines Explorer.
  • Note each machine.
  • Note people are boss.

🎒 Student Actions

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

Modify — Look Around

5 min

Children modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Find a machine in the room.
  • Say what it helps do.
  • Explain it.

🎒 Student Actions

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

Create — Create

3 min

Children conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a machine.
  • Say who is the boss.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Say who.
  • 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

Name computing devices.

CSTA
1A-CS-02

Use computing devices.

CSTA
1A-IC-16

Compare how people use tech.

ISTE
1

Empowered Learner.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

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

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with computer and tablet.
  • Use pictures.
  • Name one.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Find more machines.
  • Say what one does.
  • Draw a machine.
Materials

What to gather

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

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

machinea tool that helpscomputerhelps us play and learntableta computer you tapphoneto talk far awayTVshows shows and movieshelpto make easierbossthe one in chargetapto touch with a finger
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
Name a machine that helps us.
A computer, tablet, phone, or TV.
QUESTION 2
What is a tablet?
A computer you tap with your finger.
QUESTION 3
Who tells machines what to do?
People, like you!

Create: machine hunt.

Have children find a machine at home, like a tablet or TV, and say what it helps do. A printable machines 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.

🃏 Machines That HelpFlip
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.

📝 Machines That HelpQuiz
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.

🖨️ Machines That HelpPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: boss, computer, help, machine, phone, tablet, tap, TV
  1. a tool that helps
  2. to make easier
  3. to talk far away
  4. shows shows and movies
  5. the one in charge
  6. helps us play and learn
  7. a computer you tap
  8. to touch with a finger

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Name a machine that helps us.
  2. What is a tablet?
  3. Who tells machines what to do?
Answer key — Part A: 1) machine · 2) help · 3) phone · 4) TV · 5) boss · 6) computer · 7) tablet · 8) tap
Part B: 1) A computer, tablet, phone, or TV. 2) A computer you tap with your finger. 3) People, like you!