What does a student learn in
California, Grade 6, Computer Science & Digital Fluency ?

Students sketch out a plan for solving a problem before writing any code, using diagrams or plain written steps. The plan shows the order of decisions and actions so the logic is clear before programming begins.

Students learn to label and store information inside a program, like saving a score or a name, then write instructions that change or use that stored information.

Students write programs that use if/then rules, loops, and multiple conditions together, like "if it's raining and cold, bring a jacket." They test and revise the code until it works the way they intended.

Students break a big coding problem into smaller pieces so each part is easier to write, test, and fix.

Students learn to write reusable blocks of code that accept inputs, so the same instructions can handle different situations without rewriting them from scratch.

Students revise a program based on feedback from teammates and the people who will actually use it, then check whether the updated version solves the original problem.

Students use pre-built code or media that others have created, add it to their own program, and credit the original source. It's the coding version of citing a source in an essay.

Students run their program with different inputs, including unusual or unexpected ones, to find and fix bugs before calling the work done.

Students divide up the work and track deadlines when building a program or project as a team. Think of it like assigning roles before a group presentation, then checking that everyone finishes on time.

Students learn to add notes and explanations inside their code so that anyone reading it later can understand what each part does and why.

Students think through how a device (a phone, a keyboard, a screen) could work better for different people, then sketch or describe changes that would make it easier to use.

Students plan and build a project that uses physical parts (like sensors or buttons) alongside software to gather information and share it with another device or program.

Students learn to diagnose and fix common computer problems by working through them in a logical order, like checking the simplest cause first before moving to harder ones. This applies to both physical devices and the software running on them.

Students take the same information and show it in more than one form, such as turning a list of numbers into a bar graph or a table. The goal is to see which format makes the data easiest to understand.

Students gather information using apps, spreadsheets, or sensors, then clean or reorganize that data so it's easier to read and use. The focus is on turning raw numbers into something that actually makes sense.

Students change one variable at a time in a computer simulation and watch what shifts in the results. This shows them how scientists and engineers use models to test ideas before trying them in the real world.

Students weigh the pros and cons of computing tools, like how automation can make some jobs easier while making others disappear. They look at how those same tools shape what careers are available and what daily tasks look like.

Students look at real apps, websites, or devices and ask who they might leave out or treat unfairly. They practice spotting design choices that make technology harder to use for some people than others.

Students work with others to build something digital together, like a shared app, game, or website. Collaboration means each person contributes ideas or code, and the final product reflects the whole group's work.

Students compare different software and creative licenses to see what creators can protect and what others are allowed to copy, change, or share. They learn that giving up some control can help more people use and improve the work.

Students weigh what gets shared online against what stays private. They look at real tradeoffs: who can see your location, your photos, or your accounts, and what you give up either way.

Students learn how computers follow shared rules (called protocols) to send and receive data reliably across a network. Think of it like a postal system: every message needs a format and address both sides agree on before anything gets delivered.

Students learn what can go wrong when information travels online and what protections, like passwords and encryption, help keep data safe.

Students practice keeping data safe as it travels across a network. They use more than one method, like passwords and encryption, to show how information can be sent without someone else reading it.