How to Use This Curriculum
This page is your starting point. Whether you're a classroom teacher, a homeschool parent, a library facilitator, or a caregiver who just wants to help a kid learn about computers — this guide will help you feel confident running the curriculum.
You don't need to be a tech expert. You just need to be willing to learn alongside your students.
If you're brand new, read this page first, then jump to Week 1. For a one-page summary of the whole curriculum, see Curriculum at a Glance.
Who This Curriculum Is For
This curriculum is designed for adults who facilitate learning for children. That includes:
- Classroom teachers (public, private, charter)
- Homeschool families — parents, co-ops, learning pods
- Parents and caregivers working with their own kids at home
- After-school clubs and enrichment programs
- Library facilitators and community program leaders
- Informal learning spaces — summer camps, faith-based programs, tutoring centers
If you're an adult who wants to help a young person become confident and thoughtful with technology, this curriculum is for you.
Age Range
The curriculum is designed for learners ages 7–12 (roughly grades 2–6). Activities assume basic reading ability and no prior computer experience. Younger learners (7–8) will benefit from extra adult support and may need the "Simplify" options in each week. Older or more experienced learners will move through material faster and can be challenged with the stretch activities included in each week.
Adapting for Different Ages and Experiences
| Learner Profile | What to Expect | What Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 7–8 / little computer experience | May need help reading instructions; slower with mouse and keyboard; gets tired faster | Read aloud; shorter sessions; use "Simplify" options; focus on one activity per session |
| Ages 9–10 / some computer experience | Comfortable clicking and typing basics; may need support with file management and search skills | Follow the curriculum as written; use the standard pacing |
| Ages 11–12 / more computer exposure | May already know some basics; wants more independence and challenge | Move through foundations quickly; use "Extend" options; add productivity extensions |
| Emerging readers | Can follow along with adult help but struggles with dense text | Adult reads instructions aloud; use oral responses; focus on hands-on activities |
| Learner with prior Scratch or coding experience | May breeze through Weeks 9–10 | Challenge them with more complex Scratch projects; let them peer-mentor; start the final project earlier |
What You'll Need
- A computer or tablet — Chromebook, laptop, desktop, or iPad all work
- Internet access — most activities use free, web-based tools
- No special software required — everything uses tools that are free and browser-based
- No prior tech expertise from the adult — the curriculum teaches you alongside the learner
That's it. No expensive subscriptions, no downloads, no IT department required.
Device Notes
| Device | Works Well For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop or desktop (Windows/Mac) | All activities; best for file management and Scratch | None — this is the ideal setup |
| Chromebook | Most activities; great for web-based tools | File Explorer works differently (use the Files app); some desktop apps unavailable; Scratch works in the browser |
| iPad or tablet | Browsing, drawing, typing with a keyboard | No real file management system; Scratch works but is harder without a mouse; limited multitasking |
A mouse (rather than just a trackpad) is recommended for younger learners, especially for drawing activities, Scratch, and drag-and-drop tasks.
How the Curriculum Is Structured
The curriculum has 18 core weeks organized into 5 units, plus an optional CAD enrichment extension:
| Unit | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Digital Foundations | Weeks 1–4 | Internet, devices, files, typing |
| Unit 2: Creative Tools & Research | Weeks 5–8 | Writing, drawing, searching, evaluating sources |
| Unit 3: Coding & Logic | Weeks 9–11 | Programming concepts, Scratch, debugging |
| Unit 4: Systems & AI | Weeks 12–14 | How systems work, intro to AI, critical thinking |
| Unit 5: Final Project | Weeks 15–18 | Planning, building, revising, presenting |
| Optional: CAD Enrichment | 2 extra weeks | 3D design and modeling |
Each Week Includes
- 2 Guided Sessions (~30 minutes each) — You lead these. Step-by-step instructions and discussion prompts are provided.
- 1 Independent Session (~20 minutes) — The learner works on their own or with minimal support. These build confidence and reinforce skills.
Every session includes learning goals, activities, and reflection questions. You don't need to plan from scratch — just read the session before you begin and follow along.
Recommended Pacing
One curriculum week per calendar week is the ideal pace for most settings. That gives you three sessions spread across the week with time to breathe in between.
But the curriculum is flexible:
- Need to go slower? Spread one curriculum week across two calendar weeks. Repeat activities or spend more time on reflection.
- Running a summer intensive? You can do two curriculum weeks per calendar week if sessions happen daily.
- Working with a group that needs more practice? Stay on a week longer. There's no penalty for spending extra time where learners need it.
The important thing is that learners feel comfortable — not rushed.
How Much Tech Experience Do Adults Need?
Very little. This curriculum is designed so that adults and children learn together.
Each lesson includes:
- Prep notes that tell you exactly what to set up before the session
- Step-by-step instructions you can follow in real time
- Discussion prompts so you don't have to improvise
- Reflection questions that help you check understanding without quizzing
If you can open a web browser and read aloud, you can run this curriculum. You'll learn things too — and that's a feature, not a bug. When kids see adults learning alongside them, it normalizes the idea that learning never stops.
What If a Lesson Runs Short?
It happens — some learners move quickly, and that's great. Here are a few things to do with extra time:
- Extend the reflection — Ask follow-up questions. Let learners explain their thinking more deeply.
- Try the stretch challenge — Most weeks include a challenge activity for learners who finish early.
- Explore the tool further — Let learners experiment freely with whatever tool they used that session.
- Start the next session — If learners are energized, there's nothing wrong with moving ahead.
What If a Lesson Runs Long?
Also normal. Here are some strategies:
- Split the session across two days — Stop at a natural pause point and pick up next time.
- Skip the independent session that week — Guided sessions carry the core learning. If time is tight, the independent session can be optional.
- Focus on core activities — If a session has multiple activities, prioritize the first one. Later activities often extend or deepen the same concept.
Don't rush. Understanding matters more than coverage.
The Digital Portfolio
Throughout the curriculum, learners save their work into a digital portfolio — a simple project folder where they collect what they create each week.
This isn't complicated:
- On a personal computer: Create a folder on the desktop called something like "My Computer Projects"
- On a shared device: Use a folder on Google Drive, OneDrive, or any shared storage
- In a classroom: Set up one folder per student in a shared drive
The portfolio serves two purposes:
- It gives learners a sense of progress — they can look back and see how much they've done
- It feeds into the final project — in Weeks 15–18, learners draw on their collected work to plan and build a final project
Keep it simple. The goal is saving work, not perfecting organization.
Assessment
Assessment in this curriculum is observation-based and growth-focused. There are no tests or grades built into the program. Instead, each week includes success indicators that help you notice what learners can do, and milestone checkpoints help you reflect on progress at key points.
For the full assessment framework, see the Assessment and Progress page.
Adapting for Your Setting
Every group of learners is different. The curriculum is designed to flex — whether you're working with one child at home, a group of twenty in a classroom, or a mixed-age after-school club.
For specific strategies on supporting diverse learners, shared devices, low-internet settings, English language learners, and more, see the Adaptations and Accessibility page.
Getting Started Checklist
Here's a concrete list of steps to begin:
- Read this page — you're already doing it ✓
- Skim the Curriculum Overview to see the full arc of the program
- Check your setup — make sure you have a computer or tablet with internet access and a web browser
- Create a portfolio folder for each learner (a folder on the desktop or shared drive)
- Read through Week 1 — just the prep notes and session outlines, so you know what to expect
- Pick your schedule — decide when your three weekly sessions will happen
- Start Week 1 — and learn alongside your students
That's it. You don't need to read the whole curriculum in advance. Take it one week at a time.
For templates, checklists, and other planning tools, see the Facilitator Toolkit.
The most important thing you bring to this curriculum isn't tech knowledge — it's your willingness to be curious alongside the learners in your care. That's enough.