Computational thinking involves the skills of solving various problems, understanding the principles of algorithmic operation, and logical argumentation. Acquiring these skills helps children’s cognitive development and will be useful in everyday life. For K-4 students, this thinking is best developed through tasks they understand and encounter daily (Silva et al., 2021).
Presenting different scenarios and asking students to identify and solve problems promotes critical thinking. In addition, during the analysis process, students can break down the search for a solution into distinct stages. This promotes understanding of algorithms and development of skills in their application (Silva et al., 2021).
Moreover, creating consistent stories or daily routines can be an effective way to achieve this. To do this, they can use interactive games or simulations that help students apply their knowledge in practice and further develop it. Additionally, the teacher can use a variety of tools and materials to introduce students to concepts and develop logical thinking (Silva et al., 2021). These approaches must be tailored to the students’ level and understandable to them to be effective in teaching.
A strategic plan for developing computational thinking in primary school students should consist of several key steps. The purpose of the lesson is to teach children basic addition and subtraction skills. First, it is necessary to assess learners’ current skills and knowledge so that the lesson is informative and understandable to students. This information is the basis for developing a lesson plan with clear teaching tools and techniques.
In addition, it is necessary to develop practical tasks that help apply the acquired knowledge. For example, you could have students role-play as buyers and sellers, using their new addition and calculation skills. To do this, you can prepare the equivalent of real money in the form of pieces of paper with large numbers. This will promote the acquisition of computational thinking and demonstrate its relevance to various situations.
Reference
Silva, R., Fonseca, B., Costa, C., & Martins, F. (2021). Fostering computational thinking skills: A didactic proposal for elementary school grades. Education Sciences, 11(9), 518-528.