Description
What our Careers: Computer Programmer lesson plan includes
Lesson Objectives and Overview: Careers: Computer Programmer is a high-interest reading comprehension lesson plan. As such, students will practice various close reading and comprehension skills. In addition, they will learn about careers in computer programming. This lesson is for students in 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade.
Classroom Procedure
Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the yellow box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand. For this lesson, you’ll need pencils, sticky notes, and large grid paper.
Teacher Notes
The teacher notes page provides an extra paragraph of information to help guide the lesson and remind you what to focus on. It explains that you can teach this lesson in a whole-class setting or as an independent, small-group activity. The blank lines on this page are available for you to write out thoughts and ideas you have as you prepare the lesson.
CAREERS: COMPUTER PROGRAMMER LESSON PLAN CONTENT PAGES
Introduction to Computer Programmers
The Careers: Computer Programmer lesson plan contains three content pages. You might be wondering why we’re talking about computer programming when you’re still a kid. But guess what? It’s never too early to think about what you want to be when you grow up! Even if you’re in elementary or middle school or getting close to going to high school, it’s cool to start thinking about different jobs and what you might want to do for your career. Being a computer programmer is one of those awesome jobs you might want to consider!
If you’ve ever used a computer program, played a video game, or interacted with a mobile app, you already know what computer programmers do. They use their unique skills to write lines of code that tell a computer what to do. A computer programmer is like a chef. A chef follows a recipe to make a delicious meal. Computer programmers follow their code to make extraordinary things happen on your computer or phone screen. The next time you’re playing a game or using an app, thank the computer programmers for making it all possible!
Interests and Importance of Computer Programmers
Computer programmers love working with computers! They start by brainstorming ideas for new apps or games. Then, they write code to make it come to life. Sometimes, they work with a team, sharing ideas and helping each other. And when they’re not coding, they might test their programs to ensure they’re bug free. Computer programmers constantly learn new skills to keep up with the latest technology. It’s a dynamic job where every day is different but always exciting!
Imagine a world without computer programmers. There would be no websites to browse. No social media platforms to use to connect with friends. And no online shopping to conveniently purchase goods. The digital infrastructure we often take for granted is all thanks to the innovative work of computer programmers.
In the United States alone, there are millions of computer programmers. The demand for their expertise is only expected to grow in the coming years. With the increasing reliance on technology in every aspect of our lives, computer programmers are more in demand than ever.
What to Expect
But what does this mean for you? Well, for starters, it means that pursuing a career in computer programming can lead to exciting opportunities and financial stability. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for computer programmers is over $89,000. And top earners earn well over six figures. As the demand for computer programmers continues to rise, so will their earning potential.
But beyond the money, computer programming offers a chance to make a real difference in the world. Some programmers develop software to improve healthcare outcomes. Many create applications to enhance education. And some write code to address environmental challenges. Nearly every part of society is touched by computer programmers, and they have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact.
The future of computer programming looks super bright and exciting! As new gadgets and other fun tech stuff keep popping up, we’ll need even more awesome computer programmers to make them work like magic. So, if you like puzzles and problem-solving, becoming a computer programmer could be a fantastic adventure!
How to Become a Computer Programmer
What does it take to become a computer programmer? Well, it all starts with a solid education. In elementary school, students who like math and think logically do well as programmers. Middle schoolers who take STEM are also potential programmers.
While a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, most computer programmers hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Additionally, many pursue advanced degrees or certifications to specialize in a particular area of computer programming, such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity. In fact, these are the two fastest-growing fields in technology.
A career in computer programming offers a combination of financial stability and professional growth. Programmers have the opportunity to positively impact the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career path, consider becoming a computer programmer. You might develop the next best groundbreaking software or create the technology that shapes future generations. You might even be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs!
The last paragraph on the content pages provides an interesting fact about the world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace. She is considered by many historians to be the first computer programmer. She invented something called the analytical engine back in the 1840s. Plus, she even predicted artificial intelligence!
CAREERS: COMPUTER PROGRAMMER LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS
The Careers: Computer Programmer lesson plan includes two worksheets: an activity worksheet and a practice worksheet. Each one will help students solidify their grasp of the material they learned throughout the lesson. You can refer to the classroom procedure guidelines to know when to hand out each worksheet.
HUMAN ROBOTS ACTIVITY WORKSHEET
Students will really enjoy this activity! In pairs, they will take turns “programming” their robot partners to do certain actions. Using sticky notes or index cards, students will write five simple commands for their robot partner to follow. The cards will be in a certain sequence, which will represent the program. Each student should have a chance to be both the programmer and the robot.
CAREERS: COMPUTER PROGRAMMER PRACTICE WORKSHEET
The practice worksheet lists 10 questions based on the content. These questions all relate to the content pages, so students will need to refer to them often for the answers. In addition, each question provides which reading tool the question corresponds to, such as text feature, vocabulary, or comprehension.
Worksheet Answer Keys
At the end of the lesson plan document is an answer key for the practice worksheet. The correct answers are all in red to make it easier for you to compare them with students’ responses. If you choose to administer the lesson pages to your students via PDF, you will need to save a new file that omits these pages. Otherwise, you can simply print out the applicable pages and keep these as reference for yourself when grading assignments.
