Computational thinking (CT) is a problem solving approach that equips learners with essential skills to be successful in our increasingly technological world. Digital Promise has long been committed to providing learners of all ages with opportunities to engage in computational thinking. To achieve this, it is particularly important that educators integrate CT into disciplinary learning rather than implementing it as an isolated elective or extracurricular activity.
In this project, we developed computational thinking routines that enhance learners’ engagement in essential English Language arts (ELA) practices. While CT is based on concepts fundamental to computer science, its application goes beyond just “plugged” coding on digital devices. The problem-solving approaches that underpin CT provide a foundational toolbox for learners to systematically solve problems, whether using a computer or not. These skills better enable learners to engage in fundamental skill-building across various subject areas. English Language arts provides particularly rich learning opportunities for CT integration, such as synthesizing text and decomposing words, as described below.
Digital Promise worked side-by-side with a cohort of teachers to co-develop a teacher-facing toolbox of resources to support the integration of CT skills in literacy, referred to as “Computational Thinking Routines.” These routines are designed to invoke metacognition by providing concrete steps for visualizing thinking processes, with the goal of addressing commonly challenging ELA concepts. They are intended to be integrated into instruction regularly so that learners become familiar with the problem-solving approaches and begin to recognize when they can use them independently across contexts. Each routine includes an anchor chart to support visualizing thinking processes in concrete steps and a lesson plan that scaffolds students in applying the routine using the “I do – We do – You do” structure.
Each routine is accompanied by learner-facing Anchor Charts and complementary Lesson Plans that illustrate how to teach the routine while incorporating inclusive pedagogies.
Our toolbox includes the following routines:
Decomposition
Students break down a challenging problem while reading to support decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Pattern Recognition & Abstraction
Students build ideas through concrete steps: 1) Brainstorm, 2) Organize, 3) Abstract, 4) Transform.
Pattern Recognition
Students identify and express noticeable patterns in texts to build understanding of text structures and to support comprehension.
Abstraction
Students synthesize texts to grow their thinking by starting with background knowledge, abstracting new ideas from reading, and then forming connections between ideas.
Algorithmic Thinking
Students engage with the logic of a sequence by writing a story, narrative, or process as a flowchart.
Decomposition
Students break down a challenging problem while reading to support decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Pattern Recognition & Abstraction
Students build ideas through concrete steps: 1) Brainstorm, 2) Organize, 3) Abstract, 4) Transform.
Pattern Recognition
Students identify and express noticeable patterns in texts to build understanding of text structures and to support comprehension.
Abstraction
Students synthesize texts to grow their thinking by starting with background knowledge, abstracting new ideas from reading, and then forming connections between ideas.
Algorithmic Thinking
Students engage with the logic of a sequence by writing a story, narrative, or process as a flowchart.
Strengthening its commitment to digital fluency, the nation’s largest school district is taking a step forward to instill computational thinking among its youngest learners. With support from the Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund and in collaboration with The Leadership Academy and Learning Heroes, these resources were developed with two public schools in New York City including:
The routines above are illustrative examples of how computational thinking can be integrated in ways that enhance subject-area learning. To support this integration, we’ve updated our Lesson Library for Integrated Computational Thinking with new resources and examples of CT integration across various subjects for Prek-12. This library provides educators with practical lessons, curriculum units, and other materials for incorporating CT into their daily teaching practices.
Want to know more about integrating computational thinking? Find more resources here:
Try our Computational Thinking Routines for K-5 ELA in your classroom to enhance your instructional practice.
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