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Step by Step

Second graders learn about sequences — putting steps in the right order — the very first idea of coding, since computers do tasks one step at a time, in order.

Grade 2Algorithms30 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 a sequence.
  • ✓Put steps in order.
  • ✓See order matters.
  • ✓Think like a coder.
Essential Question

To get ready for school, you do things in a certain order — you can’t put on your shoes before your socks! Computers work in order too. What is a sequence?

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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 Morning Steps

Project this and have children put the steps of getting ready for school in order.

🌅 Put the morning steps in order!Try it
Tap the first step!
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 — Order Matters

4 min

You can’t put shoes on before socks — order matters! What is a sequence?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show steps out of order.
  • Ask what’s wrong.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Notice.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

8 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Act out steps in order.
  • Try them out of order.
  • Feel the difference.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order it.
  • Mix it.
  • Feel it.
3

Use — Order the Steps

9 min

Children use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to Order the Morning Steps.
  • Put them in order.
  • Say each one.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order them.
  • Say them.
  • Explain.
4

Modify — Fix It

6 min

Children modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Fix a mixed-up sequence.
  • Explain the right order.
  • Say why.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Fix it.
  • Explain.
  • Say why.
5

Create — Create

3 min

Children conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Make a sequence for a task.
  • Explain the order.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Make 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
1A-AP-08

Model sequences of steps.

CSTA
1A-AP-10

Develop programs with sequences.

CSTA
1A-AP-11

Decompose a task into steps.

ISTE
5

Computational Thinker.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Step picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “First ___, then ___.”
  • Act out steps.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with two steps.
  • Order two at a time.
  • Use pictures.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Sequence a longer task.
  • Explain what happens if steps are wrong.
  • Make a recipe sequence.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🖼️Step cards
  • 💻Order the Morning Steps
  • 📋Task cards
  • 🖍️Crayons
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

sequencesteps in orderstepone thing to doorderthe right positionfirstthe beginningnextwhat comes afterlastthe endingtaska job to docodeinstructions for a computer
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 sequence?
Steps put in the right order.
QUESTION 2
Why does order matter in a sequence?
If steps are out of order, the task won’t work right.
QUESTION 3
What do you do FIRST to get ready for school?
Wake up and get out of bed.

Create: a sequence.

Have children make a step-by-step sequence for a task at home, like making a sandwich. A printable sequence 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.

🃏 Step by StepFlip
Card 1
Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Step by StepQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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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.

🖨️ Step by StepPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: code, first, last, next, order, sequence, step, task
  1. what comes after
  2. steps in order
  3. one thing to do
  4. a job to do
  5. instructions for a computer
  6. the beginning
  7. the ending
  8. the right position

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a sequence?
  2. Why does order matter in a sequence?
  3. What do you do FIRST to get ready for school?
Answer key — Part A: 1) next · 2) sequence · 3) step · 4) task · 5) code · 6) first · 7) last · 8) order
Part B: 1) Steps put in the right order. 2) If steps are out of order, the task won’t work right. 3) Wake up and get out of bed.