Computer Basics & Digital Citizenship

📘 Teacher Guide

Unit overview

Students meet the computer: its parts, input and output, hardware and software, files and folders, ports and shortcuts. They then learn to be safe, kind and smart online: protecting private information, building strong passwords and spotting scams.

Big ideas

• A computer is a system of parts that work together.
• Information goes in (input) and comes out (output).
• Private information stays private; a trusted adult can always help.
• Strong passwords and careful clicking keep accounts safe.

Before you teach

• Create a free class at keloskillracer.com/teacher and print the student code cards.
• Test one activity on a classroom computer before the lesson (sound on or off, screen size).
• Show students how to sign in at /join with the class code and their student code.
• If possible, bring an old keyboard, mouse or the inside of a computer for students to see and touch.

Pacing

5 lessons of 40–45 minutes. Lessons 4 and 5 can be taught in a digital citizenship week.

Teaching tips

• Keep it hands-on: pass a real mouse and keyboard around.
• Use the read-aloud button for early readers.
• Praise students who say 'I'd ask a trusted adult'.

Standards alignment

• ISTE 1.1 Empowered Learner
• ISTE 1.2 Digital Citizen
• CSTA: Computing Systems (devices, hardware and software)
• CSTA: Networks & the Internet (cybersecurity)

📝 Lessons

1. 1Meet the ComputerGrades K–5 · 40 minFree
2. 2Inside the ComputerGrades 2–8 · 45 min⭐ Pro
3. 3Files, Ports & ShortcutsGrades 3–8 · 45 min⭐ Pro
4. 4Stay Safe OnlineGrades K–8 · 40 min⭐ Pro
5. 5Passwords & Spotting ScamsGrades 3–8 · 45 min⭐ Pro