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Computers vs People

First graders learn what computers are great at — fast math, following instructions, storing lots of information — and what only people can do, like having feelings and coming up with new ideas.

Grade 1Computing Systems30 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…

  • ✓Know what computers do well.
  • ✓Know what people do.
  • ✓Sort the actions.
  • ✓Know people are the boss.
Essential Question

Computers are amazing, but people are amazing too! What can a computer do, and what can only a PERSON 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
Sort It · Interactive

Computers or People?

Project this and sort each thing into what computers do well or what only people do.

💻 Sort each — computers or people?Try it
💻 Computers
🧑 People
Tap a thing, then tap a box.
The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

30 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — Both Amazing

4 min

Computers are amazing — and so are people! What does each do?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Ask what computers do.
  • Ask what people do.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

8 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Do fast math like a computer.
  • Have a new idea like a person.
  • Feel the difference.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Compute.
  • Imagine.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Computers or People

9 min

Children use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to Computers or People?
  • Sort each one.
  • Talk about them.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Sort them.
  • Talk.
  • Explain.
4

Modify — Think It Through

6 min

Children modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Fix a mixed-up sort.
  • Explain why.
  • Say who’s the boss.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Fix it.
  • Explain.
  • Say who.
5

Create — Create

3 min

Children conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name what a computer does.
  • Name what a person does.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Name 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
1A-CS-01

Describe what computers do.

CSTA
1A-IC-16

Compare people and computers.

CSTA
1A-CS-02

Use computers as tools.

ISTE
1

Empowered Learner.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Computer/people cards.
  • Sentence frame: “A computer/person can ___.”
  • Use pictures.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with clear examples.
  • Sort one at a time.
  • Use pictures.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add more examples.
  • Explain why people are boss.
  • Draw a helper.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 💻Action cards
  • 💻Computers or People?
  • 🧑A think-aloud
  • 🖍️Crayons
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

computera fast machine toolpeoplehumans like youfastvery quickinstructiona step to followfeelingsemotions inside youideaa new thoughtdecideto choosebossthe one in charge
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 something a computer does well.
Fast math, following instructions, or storing pictures.
QUESTION 2
Name something only a person can do.
Have feelings, come up with new ideas, or decide right and wrong.
QUESTION 3
Who tells the computer what to do?
People!

Create: people power.

Have children name one thing a computer does and one thing only a person can do. A printable 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.

🃏 Computers vs PeopleFlip
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.

📝 Computers vs PeopleQuiz
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.

🖨️ Computers vs PeoplePrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: boss, computer, decide, fast, feelings, idea, instruction, people
  1. very quick
  2. emotions inside you
  3. a step to follow
  4. to choose
  5. the one in charge
  6. humans like you
  7. a fast machine tool
  8. a new thought

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Name something a computer does well.
  2. Name something only a person can do.
  3. Who tells the computer what to do?
Answer key — Part A: 1) fast · 2) feelings · 3) instruction · 4) decide · 5) boss · 6) people · 7) computer · 8) idea
Part B: 1) Fast math, following instructions, or storing pictures. 2) Have feelings, come up with new ideas, or decide right and wrong. 3) People!