Lesson plan · Grade 1 · 40 minutes

Computer Builder

I can name the parts of a computer, tell what each part does, and find the part that is missing.

Standard: E1-SYS-HW-11 CSTA-2026
Shape: Explore first
Grouping: Whole class on the carpet, with turn-and-talk partners.
You need: The tool on the big screen. The classroom computer (or any real keyboard, mouse and speakers) to point at.
Tool: curioclass.org/tools/computer-builder/

Before class

Open the tool. It starts in Build with an empty desk. Sound on, volume up.
Let each narrator line finish before the next tap: fast taps make lines wait in a row.
The teacher notes explain every button.

Point at the classroom computer. "Who can point to the screen? The keyboard? The mouse?"
"Here's a puzzle. If I unplug the speakers, can we still watch a cartoon?" Thumbs up for yes, down for no. Don't settle it.
"Every computer part has a power. Let's build one and find out."

Tap the Computer box tile on the shelf. Then tap the box on the desk: it hums and blinks. (The brain is inside.)
"What do you think the screen will do?" Tap the Screen tile, then tap the screen on the desk. (It lights up with pictures.)
The surprise: tap the Computer box tile again to send it back to the shelf. Tap the Keyboard tile, then tap the keyboard on the desk. Nothing happens: a loose plug. "Why didn't it work?" (No box. Every part needs the brain.)
Tap the Computer box tile again. Tap the keyboard on the desk five times: H, E, L, L, O appear on the screen.
For Mouse, Speakers, Microphone and Camera: partners whisper a guess, then tap the tile, then the part on the desk. When the narrator says "Everyone, say hello!", the class says hello. (Rainbow, music, "Hello, class!", a photo of Bubbles the fish.)
Point at a working part's cable. "Which way do the dots go?" (Keyboard, mouse, microphone and camera send dots in to the box. The screen and speakers get stars out of the box.)
With all seven on the desk, tap All in one. Tap the circle on the touchpad. "Where is the mouse on a laptop?" (The touchpad.) Tap Tablet, then the circle on the touchscreen. "What does a tablet use for a mouse?" (Your finger.) Tap Back to desk.

Tap Jobs, then the Watch a cartoon card. "What parts do we need?" Partners talk. (Box, screen, speakers.)
Back to the hook: tap only the Computer box and Screen tiles, then tap Try it!. The cartoon plays with no sound and the speakers' empty spot pulses blue. "Can we watch with no speakers?" (We can see it, but we can't hear it.)
Tap the Speakers tile, then Try it!. (It works!)
Tap Next job for Write a word. Name each part: "Thumbs up if we need it." Tap the class's picks, then Try it!. (Box, keyboard, screen.)
If time allows, tap Video chat with the panda. "Why does it need the camera and microphone?" (So the panda can see and hear us.)

Tap Missing, then Start. Everyone closes their eyes while Nibbles the mouse unplugs a part.
Watch the job. When the narrator asks which part is unplugged, every child shows its sign. Scan the room.
Call on one child: "The ___ is unplugged, because ___." Tap that part on the desk. A wrong part just shows it works.
Tap Next round for rounds 2 and 3 (screen, then mouse). Children who sign wrong twice get more Build time tomorrow.

Support: after each part in Build, touch the same part on the real classroom computer.
Support: children not ready to talk can answer with signs. On a smartboard, they can tap the tiles.
Stretch: Missing round 7, where nothing works. "Why is this different from round 6?" (Round 6 lost the screen. Round 7 lost the box, the brain.)
Stretch: "Which parts send things in? Which show or tell us things?" The dots and stars are clues.

Hook puzzle (2 min), then Build steps 1 to 4 only, box, screen and keyboard with the loose plug (7 min).
Watch a cartoon in Jobs with only the box and screen first (4 min).
Missing rounds 1 and 2, answered with pointing at the real computer (4 min).

How each button works is in the teacher notes. From Curio Class, free under CC BY 4.0: change it, print it, share it.