Week 3: The Digital Treasure Chest
Files, Folders, and Digital Ownership
Last week we learned that computers respond to inputs.
This week we discover something equally important:
Digital creations can be saved and kept.
When we draw something, write something, or build something on a computer, it doesn't disappear when the app closes.
Instead, it becomes a file that can be saved, organized, and opened again later.
The big idea this week:
Digital work persists.
Just like keeping treasures in a chest or toys in labeled bins, computers use folders to keep things organized.
- You do not need to teach every bullet on the page. Use the learning goal and one or two activities for the session you are teaching today.
- If time is short, teach one guided session well and leave the rest for later. The lessons are designed to stretch across the week.
- The independent session works best after the learner has already explored the main idea with you once.
Teacher Preparation
- Time needed: ~30–40 minutes per guided session, ~30 minutes for the independent session.
- Devices needed: One computer (desktop or laptop) with File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
- Accounts needed: None. All activities use built-in apps and local file storage.
- Ensure File Explorer is easy to access.
- Prepare to demonstrate creating folders and saving files.
- Make sure these apps are available:
- Paint (or Paint 3D)
- Notepad (or simple text editor)
- Decide where the student's main project folder will live (Documents is recommended).
- Prepare a quick analogy: toy bins, drawers, or treasure chests.
- Set up a visual timer.
This week introduces digital ownership.
The goal is helping the student understand:
“The things I create on the computer belong to me, and I can save them.”
This idea will carry through the entire curriculum.
Guided Session 1
What Is a File?
Learning Goal
By the end of this session, the student can:
- analyze how apps create different kinds of files
- organize and save digital work so it can be found and reused later
- justify why saving and reopening files matters for real projects
Activities
1. The Treasure Analogy
Ask the student:
“If you draw a picture on paper, where do you keep it?”
Examples:
- a folder
- a binder
- a drawer
- a fridge door
Explain that computers do something similar.
When you create something on a computer:
- a drawing
- a story
- a photo
the computer saves it as a file.
You can think of files as digital treasures.
2. Create a Simple File
Open Notepad.
Ask the student to type something simple:
Examples:
- their name
- a short sentence
- a fun fact about dogs
- something they like
Then show the Save As process.
Explain:
- the file needs a name — choose something descriptive so you can find it later (e.g., "fun dog facts" is better than "stuff")
- the file needs a place to live — we will pick a folder
Tips for good file names:
- Use words that describe what is inside
- Keep it short but clear
- Avoid names like "asdfg" or "untitled"
Save the file somewhere easy to find.
3a. What Kind of File Is This?
After saving, point to the file in File Explorer.
Explain that different apps create different kinds of files:
- Notepad creates .txt files (plain text)
- Paint creates .png or .bmp files (images)
- Word processors create .docx files (formatted writing)
You can often tell what a file is by the little letters after its name.
Say:
"These letters are called a file extension. They tell the computer which app should open the file."
3. Close and Reopen the File
Close Notepad completely.
Then open the saved file again.
Ask:
“Did the computer remember what we wrote?”
Explain:
The computer saved the file so it could be opened again later.
This is one of the most powerful things computers can do.
Reflection Questions
- “How would you explain the difference between creating something and saving it as a file?”
- “Why does a saved file have more value than something that disappears when you close the app?”
- “What kinds of work should always be saved carefully, and why?”
Sentence starters for younger learners:
- “Saving a file is important because…”
- “I think the difference between creating and saving is…”
Guided Session 2
The Folder System
Learning Goal
By the end of this session, the student can:
- categorize digital work into a folder system that makes sense
- design a folder structure that supports future projects
- evaluate whether a folder system makes finding work easier or harder
Activities
1. Real-World Analogy
Ask the student:
“If all your toys were in one giant pile, would it be easy to find things?”
Explain that computers solve this problem using folders.
Folders are like:
- toy bins
- drawers
- labeled boxes
They help keep things organized.
2. Create the Personal Project Folder
Open File Explorer.
Navigate to Documents.
Create a new folder called:
My Projects
Explain:
This will be the student's personal creation space.
Everything they create in the curriculum will live here.
3. Create Subfolders
Inside My Projects, create a few folders together.
Let the student help choose names.
Examples:
My Projects
Drawings
Stories
Experiments
Explain that folders can hold different kinds of creations.
4. Save a Drawing in the Folder
Open Paint.
Ask the student to draw something simple.
Examples:
- a dog
- a house
- a rocket
- a silly creature
Then save it in:
My Projects → Drawings
Use Save As, give the file a clear name (e.g., "silly creature" rather than "drawing1"), and choose the destination folder together.
Open File Explorer and confirm the drawing appears there.
If the file doesn't seem to appear, use the Troubleshooting Routine: Stop → Think Back → Try One Small Thing (check the folder path, check the file name). This is a normal and common situation, not a mistake.
Reflection Questions
- “How did you decide which folders would make the most sense?”
- “What would happen if all your files were in one place with no organization?”
- “How could you improve your folder system if your projects kept growing?”
Sentence starters for younger learners:
- “I organized my folders by…”
- “If I had more files, I would…”
Independent Session
Build Your Treasure Chest
Instruction
Open your My Projects folder and improve it like a designer of digital spaces.
Create two new folders based on categories that make sense to you.
Then create one new file and save it in the folder where it belongs best.
After you save it, check your folder system and ask:
- Why does this file belong here?
- Would someone else be able to find it easily?
- What could I rename or reorganize to make this clearer?
Be ready to explain why your folder system works.
Skills Reinforced
- categorizing digital work into meaningful groups
- creating and saving files with purposeful organization
- evaluating how file persistence supports future work
- designing a system for organizing digital creations
- building ownership over personal digital work
Setup
- File Explorer open
- Paint available
- Notepad available
- visual timer
🔄 Simplify or Extend
To simplify:
- Create only one folder (My Projects) and save one file into it, skipping subfolders for now.
- Walk through the Save As process together step by step, narrating each choice aloud.
To extend:
- Have the learner design a folder system with at least three levels of nesting and explain why each level exists.
- Ask the learner to move existing files from the Desktop or Downloads into their organized folder structure and explain their choices.
💾 Save This Week’s Artifact
This week’s artifact is the My Projects folder itself, with its subfolders and at least one saved file inside. Check that the learner can open File Explorer, navigate to their folder, and find their saved work. This organized folder will be used throughout the rest of the curriculum.
✅ Success Indicators
By the end of this week, look for whether the learner can:
- Create a new folder and give it a meaningful name without help
- Save a file using Save As and choose both a file name and a destination folder
- Give files descriptive names that reflect their content
- Close a file completely, then find and reopen it from File Explorer
- Explain in their own words why saving digital work matters
- Navigate their folder structure to locate a specific file
- Describe the difference between a file and a folder
File • Folder • Save • Save As • File name • File extension (.txt, .png) • File Explorer / Finder • Navigate
See the Glossary for definitions.