Seventh graders discover how computers represent all information — numbers, letters, images — using only two digits, 0 and 1, in a system called binary, the fundamental language of every computer.
Students will be able to…
Your computer stores photos, songs, and text — but underneath, it only understands two things: 0 and 1. How can everything be built from just two digits?
Project each item and have students answer about binary. The tool explains bits, bytes, and counting in binary.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
Computers only understand 0 and 1 — how can that store everything?
Students practice.
Students use.
Students modify.
Students conclude.
Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and ISTE Standards for Students.
Represent data using bits (binary).
Describe how computing devices represent information.
Explain how data is stored and encoded.
Computational Thinker.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students look up the binary code for the letters of their name and write it out. A printable binary sheet is in the Computer Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
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.