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Parts of a Computer

Third graders learn the main parts of a computer — the screen, keyboard, mouse, CPU, and speakers — and what each part does, building a foundation for understanding how computers work.

Grade 3Computing Systems35 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 computer parts.
  • ✓Explain what each part does.
  • ✓Find input and output parts.
  • ✓Describe a computer.
Essential Question

You use computers every day — but what are they made of? Just like your body has parts that each do a job, so does a computer. What are the main parts?

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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 Computer Parts Explorer

Project this and tap each part. Have students learn the main parts of a computer and what each one does.

🖥️ Explore the parts of a computer — tap eachTry it

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

35 minutes, five moves

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

1

Hook — What’s Inside?

5 min

You use computers daily — but what are they made of?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a computer.
  • Ask about its parts.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Wonder.
  • Predict.
2

Unplugged — Name the Parts

8 min

Students explore.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Computer Parts Explorer.
  • Name each part.
  • Note its job.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Name parts.
  • Note jobs.
3

Use — Point & Name

9 min

Students use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Point to real parts.
  • Name each one.
  • Find the brain (CPU).

🎒 Student Actions

  • Point.
  • Name.
  • Find it.
4

Modify — Input or Output

8 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Sort parts: input or output.
  • Explain the difference.
  • Give an example.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Sort them.
  • Explain.
  • Give one.
5

Create — Create

5 min

Students conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Label a computer picture.
  • Name a part.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Label it.
  • 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
1B-CS-01

Describe how computing devices and their parts work together.

CSTA
1B-CS-02

Model how hardware and software work as a system.

CSTA
1B-CS-03

Determine potential solutions to hardware problems.

ISTE
1

Empowered Learner — use technology tools.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Part + job picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “The ___ is for ___.”
  • Point to real parts.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with screen and keyboard.
  • Point to real parts.
  • Use pictures.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Explain the CPU.
  • Add more parts.
  • Diagram a computer.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🖥️A real computer
  • 💻The Computer Parts Explorer
  • 📄A computer diagram
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

computera machine that follows instructionsscreenthe part that shows outputkeyboardthe part for typing inputmousethe part for pointing and clickingCPUthe “brain” that does the thinkinginputinformation going into the computeroutputinformation coming outhardwarethe physical parts you can touch
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 two parts of a computer.
Sample: screen, keyboard, mouse, CPU, or speakers.
QUESTION 2
What does the keyboard do?
It lets you type letters and numbers into the computer (input).
QUESTION 3
What is the CPU?
The “brain” that does the thinking and follows instructions.

Create: label a computer.

Have students draw a computer and label its parts — screen, keyboard, mouse. A printable computer-parts 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.

🃏 Parts of a ComputerFlip
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.

📝 Parts of a ComputerQuiz
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.

🖨️ Parts of a ComputerPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: computer, CPU, hardware, input, keyboard, mouse, output, screen
  1. the part for pointing and clicking
  2. a machine that follows instructions
  3. the part for typing input
  4. the physical parts you can touch
  5. the part that shows output
  6. the “brain” that does the thinking
  7. information going into the computer
  8. information coming out

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Name two parts of a computer.
  2. What does the keyboard do?
  3. What is the CPU?
Answer key — Part A: 1) mouse · 2) computer · 3) keyboard · 4) hardware · 5) screen · 6) CPU · 7) input · 8) output
Part B: 1) Sample: screen, keyboard, mouse, CPU, or speakers. 2) It lets you type letters and numbers into the computer (input). 3) The “brain” that does the thinking and follows instructions.