Across these 10 Lesson Plans we’ve provided, we recognize students who have different levels of familiarity with technology and gross motor skills needed to do this work. Some students may not be able to get through all 10 Lessons and instead will need to revisit the same lesson multiple times – and that’s okay.
Ensuring students are thorough with how much curriculum they’re taught is the most important thing that sets them up for long-term success. We’ve created a generalized timeline and structure of the program for 3 ability levels that we’ve most commonly seen with our student population.
This course’s structure serves to help educators use CFAM in a school setting where learning needs to be completed by a certain date.
A beginner student is a student who has very little familiarity with Technology, and does not have the gross motor skills needed to work with computers – here’s what we’d recommend as their learning path:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This introductory course demystifies the world of coding, offering students a first glimpse into the basic concepts and languages of programming. It’s designed as a gentle yet engaging entry point into the digital world.
Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (4 sessions)
In partnership with the student’s Occupational Therapist, building the dragging and dropping skills was practiced outside of the classroom setting. In preparation for beginning this course, educators began exposing students to a computer over 4 weeks before officially starting the program.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Students will learn the importance of order and sequence in programming. This course is designed to build a foundational understanding of how commands are structured and executed in coding, enhancing logical thinking.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
This course introduces students to the concept of loops in programming. By learning to use counting loops, students will develop skills to efficiently manage repeated tasks and simplify complex coding sequences.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
Keep in mind, that most of these lesson plans would have to be split across days and retaught multiple times to ensure students’ comprehensibility of these very new and advanced topics. This structure requires 16 sessions (each 30 minutes long) and encourages the educator to start from the basics. Lessons like Sequencing and Counting Loops are difficult as students’ brains start to look at pieces of information in different ways and use skills they have, including pattern recognition in the realms of code.
An intermediate Student who has some level of familiarity with technology and has some of the gross motor skills needed to work with a computer (familiarity with touchscreen devices), here’s what we recommend:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course takes a deeper dive into the coding world, enhancing students’ understanding of different programming languages and their applications. It’s designed to build upon basic knowledge and introduce more complex concepts.
Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Focusing on more advanced interactive skills, this lesson enhances students’ proficiency in dragging and dropping, a crucial skill for many programming interfaces and tools. The course includes practical exercises to solidify these skills.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Students will explore more intricate aspects of sequencing in coding. This lesson plan emphasizes the importance of precise command ordering for developing functional and efficient code, through a series of challenging exercises.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Building on basic loop concepts, this session introduces intermediate techniques for using counting loops. Students will engage in more complex projects, learning to streamline their code for various applications.
Code for All Minds – Variables Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
In this module, students delve into the dynamic world of variables. They will learn about different types of variables, their uses, and how to manipulate them for more sophisticated programming tasks.
Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course explores the advanced use of conditionals in programming. Students will learn to create more complex decision-making structures in their code, enhancing their logical and computational thinking.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds -Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
For an intermediate student, seeing patterns is a little easier, but variables, which is a very new concept, are much harder to grasp. Adding conditionals onto that allows an application of learning the student completed regarding variables
An advanced student who is proficient with using technology and has adequate gross motor skills needed to work with a computer, here’s what we’d recommend:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course revisits coding fundamentals at a quicker pace, reinforcing core concepts and preparing students for more advanced topics. It’s ideal for those who are already comfortable with basic technology use.
Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (1 session)
A focused session for students proficient with computers, quickly covering the essential skill of dragging and dropping, fundamental in many programming activities.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (1 session)
This lesson accelerates through sequencing concepts, ideal for students who can quickly grasp and apply logical order and structure in coding tasks.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (1 session)
Catering to students who are familiar with basic loops, this session moves at a faster pace to cover counting loops, emphasizing efficiency in code management.
Code for All Minds – Variables Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
These sessions quickly cover the concept of variables, suited for students who are adept at understanding and applying programming basics in various contexts.
Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (1 session) Tailored for advanced learners, this lesson efficiently covers conditional logic, focusing on students’ ability to quickly comprehend and implement decision-making in code.
Code for All Minds – Advanced Loops with Variables Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This module delves into the complex interplay between loops and variables. Even for advanced students, the intricate nature of these concepts will require a more in-depth exploration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and application in programming.
Code for All Minds – Functions and Algorithms Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Focusing on functions and algorithms, this course introduces students to some of the more sophisticated aspects of programming. Given the complexity of these topics, even advanced learners will spend more time mastering these essential skills, crucial for developing efficient and effective coding solutions.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (1 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
This is an extremely rigorous path for students who have a comfortability with technology and can handle new learning in almost every session. Topics like Advanced Loops and Functions have the longest allocated time, but a student in a path like this would be expected to complete practice outside of instructional time. Lessons like Digital Citizenship and Careers in STEM are the same session length even for advanced students, as this is crucial information beyond skills of tech that they will carry forward for the rest of their life.
- Beginner
-
A beginner student is a student who has very little familiarity with Technology, and does not have the gross motor skills needed to work with computers – here’s what we’d recommend as their learning path:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This introductory course demystifies the world of coding, offering students a first glimpse into the basic concepts and languages of programming. It’s designed as a gentle yet engaging entry point into the digital world.Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (4 sessions)
In partnership with the student’s Occupational Therapist, building the dragging and dropping skills was practiced outside of the classroom setting. In preparation for beginning this course, educators began exposing students to a computer over 4 weeks before officially starting the program.Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Students will learn the importance of order and sequence in programming. This course is designed to build a foundational understanding of how commands are structured and executed in coding, enhancing logical thinking.Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
This course introduces students to the concept of loops in programming. By learning to use counting loops, students will develop skills to efficiently manage repeated tasks and simplify complex coding sequences.Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.Keep in mind, that most of these lesson plans would have to be split across days and retaught multiple times to ensure students’ comprehensibility of these very new and advanced topics. This structure requires 16 sessions (each 30 minutes long) and encourages the educator to start from the basics. Lessons like Sequencing and Counting Loops are difficult as students’ brains start to look at pieces of information in different ways and use skills they have, including pattern recognition in the realms of code.
- Intermediate
-
An intermediate Student who has some level of familiarity with technology and has some of the gross motor skills needed to work with a computer (familiarity with touchscreen devices), here’s what we recommend:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course takes a deeper dive into the coding world, enhancing students’ understanding of different programming languages and their applications. It’s designed to build upon basic knowledge and introduce more complex concepts.Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Focusing on more advanced interactive skills, this lesson enhances students’ proficiency in dragging and dropping, a crucial skill for many programming interfaces and tools. The course includes practical exercises to solidify these skills.Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Students will explore more intricate aspects of sequencing in coding. This lesson plan emphasizes the importance of precise command ordering for developing functional and efficient code, through a series of challenging exercises.Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Building on basic loop concepts, this session introduces intermediate techniques for using counting loops. Students will engage in more complex projects, learning to streamline their code for various applications.Code for All Minds – Variables Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
In this module, students delve into the dynamic world of variables. They will learn about different types of variables, their uses, and how to manipulate them for more sophisticated programming tasks.Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course explores the advanced use of conditionals in programming. Students will learn to create more complex decision-making structures in their code, enhancing their logical and computational thinking.Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.Code for All Minds -Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.For an intermediate student, seeing patterns is a little easier, but variables, which is a very new concept, are much harder to grasp. Adding conditionals onto that allows an application of learning the student completed regarding variables
- Advanced
-
An advanced student who is proficient with using technology and has adequate gross motor skills needed to work with a computer, here’s what we’d recommend:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course revisits coding fundamentals at a quicker pace, reinforcing core concepts and preparing students for more advanced topics. It’s ideal for those who are already comfortable with basic technology use.Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (1 session)
A focused session for students proficient with computers, quickly covering the essential skill of dragging and dropping, fundamental in many programming activities.Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (1 session)
This lesson accelerates through sequencing concepts, ideal for students who can quickly grasp and apply logical order and structure in coding tasks.Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (1 session)
Catering to students who are familiar with basic loops, this session moves at a faster pace to cover counting loops, emphasizing efficiency in code management.Code for All Minds – Variables Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
These sessions quickly cover the concept of variables, suited for students who are adept at understanding and applying programming basics in various contexts.Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (1 session) Tailored for advanced learners, this lesson efficiently covers conditional logic, focusing on students’ ability to quickly comprehend and implement decision-making in code.
Code for All Minds – Advanced Loops with Variables Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This module delves into the complex interplay between loops and variables. Even for advanced students, the intricate nature of these concepts will require a more in-depth exploration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and application in programming.Code for All Minds – Functions and Algorithms Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Focusing on functions and algorithms, this course introduces students to some of the more sophisticated aspects of programming. Given the complexity of these topics, even advanced learners will spend more time mastering these essential skills, crucial for developing efficient and effective coding solutions.Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (1 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.This is an extremely rigorous path for students who have a comfortability with technology and can handle new learning in almost every session. Topics like Advanced Loops and Functions have the longest allocated time, but a student in a path like this would be expected to complete practice outside of instructional time. Lessons like Digital Citizenship and Careers in STEM are the same session length even for advanced students, as this is crucial information beyond skills of tech that they will carry forward for the rest of their life.
OverallNotes:
1. This Course Structure is just a guideline for educators when planning their lessons around students’ abilities, this has been created for a 16-17 session timeline, with each session around 30 minutes.
2. The actual lesson plans can be accessed by clicking on the “Access Curriculum” – they are also hyperlinked by clicking on any of the lessons in the Course Structure.
3. For students of any ability level, we recommend multiple sessions when introducing the topic of coding. It is extremely arbitrary to anyone learning at the beginning and going through the content multiple times will only help clarify how much it is a part of our lives.
4. Every student should have multiple sessions with Digital Citizenship. As such large users of technology, even if their understanding of coding is limited, they should have proficient knowledge in navigating the internet safely and efficiently.
5. The same goes for our Careers in STEM Lesson Plan – regardless of their excellence in coding – every student should be exposed to careers in STEM that will only motivate them further to learn more in Tech.
6. As a reminder, the goal of CFAM is continued learning for our neurodiverse population.It doesn’t have to be done in one semester or a year-long course.
Building good fundamentals in each topic will only set these students up for further success foster their curious minds and develop a passion for Programming!
A beginner student is a student who has very little familiarity with Technology, and does not have the gross motor skills needed to work with computers – here’s what we’d recommend as their learning path:
Code for All Minds –What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This introductory course demystifies the world of coding, offering students a first glimpse into the basic concepts and languages of programming. It’s designed as a gentle yet engaging entry point into the digital world.
Code for All Minds –Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (4 sessions)
In partnership with the student’s Occupational Therapist, building the dragging and dropping skills was practiced outside of the classroom setting. In preparation for beginning this course, educators began exposing students to a computer over 4 weeks before officially starting the program.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Students will learn the importance of order and sequence in programming. This course is designed to build a foundational understanding of how commands are structured and executed in coding, enhancing logical thinking.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
This course introduces students to the concept of loops in programming. By learning to use counting loops, students will develop skills to efficiently manage repeated tasks and simplify complex coding sequences.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
Keep in mind, that most of these lesson plans would have to be split across days and retaught multiple times to ensure students’ comprehensibility of these very new and advanced topics. This structure requires 16 sessions (each 30 minutes long) and encourages the educator to start from the basics. Lessons like Sequencing and Counting Loops are difficult as students’ brains start to look at pieces of information in different ways and use skills they have, including pattern recognition in the realms of code.
An intermediate Student who has some level of familiarity with technology and has some of the gross motor skills needed to work with a computer (familiarity with touchscreen devices), here’s what we recommend:
Code for All Minds –What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course takes a deeper dive into the coding world, enhancing students’ understanding of different programming languages and their applications. It’s designed to build upon basic knowledge and introduce more complex concepts.
Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Focusing on more advanced interactive skills, this lesson enhances students’ proficiency in dragging and dropping, a crucial skill for many programming interfaces and tools. The course includes practical exercises to solidify these skills.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Students will explore more intricate aspects of sequencing in coding. This lesson plan emphasizes the importance of precise command ordering for developing functional and efficient code, through a series of challenging exercises.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
Building on basic loop concepts, this session introduces intermediate techniques for using counting loops. Students will engage in more complex projects, learning to streamline their code for various applications.
Code for All Minds – Variables Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
In this module, students delve into the dynamic world of variables. They will learn about different types of variables, their uses, and how to manipulate them for more sophisticated programming tasks.
Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course explores the advanced use of conditionals in programming. Students will learn to create more complex decision-making structures in their code, enhancing their logical and computational thinking.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds –Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (2 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
For an intermediate student, seeing patterns is a little easier, but variables, which is a very new concept, are much harder to grasp. Adding conditionals onto that allows an application of learning the student completed regarding variables
An advanced student who is proficient with using technology and has adequate gross motor skills needed to work with a computer, here’s what we’d recommend:
Code for All Minds – What is Coding Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This course revisits coding fundamentals at a quicker pace, reinforcing core concepts and preparing students for more advanced topics. It’s ideal for those who are already comfortable with basic technology use.
Code for All Minds – Dragging and Dropping Lesson Plan (1 session)
A focused session for students proficient with computers, quickly covering the essential skill of dragging and dropping, fundamental in many programming activities.
Code for All Minds – Sequencing Lesson Plan (1 session)
This lesson accelerates through sequencing concepts, ideal for students who can quickly grasp and apply logical order and structure in coding tasks.
Code for All Minds – Counting Loops Lesson Plan (1 session)
Catering to students who are familiar with basic loops, this session moves at a faster pace to cover counting loops, emphasizing efficiency in code management.
Code for All Minds – Conditionals Lesson Plan (1 session)
Tailored for advanced learners, this lesson efficiently covers conditional logic, focusing on students’ ability to quickly comprehend and implement decision-making in code.
Code for All Minds – Advanced Loops with Variables Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This module delves into the complex interplay between loops and variables. Even for advanced students, the intricate nature of these concepts will require a more in-depth exploration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and application in programming.
Code for All Minds – Functions and Algorithms Lesson Plan (3 sessions)
Focusing on functions and algorithms, this course introduces students to some of the more sophisticated aspects of programming. Given the complexity of these topics, even advanced learners will spend more time mastering these essential skills, crucial for developing efficient and effective coding solutions.
Code for All Minds – Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan (2 sessions)
This lesson plan focuses on teaching students about responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world. Topics include internet safety, digital etiquette, and the importance of a positive digital footprint.
Code for All Minds – Careers in STEM Lesson Plan (1 session)
Explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course aims to inspire students by showcasing the exciting potential and diversity in STEM careers.
This is an extremely rigorous path for students who have a comfortability with technology and can handle new learning in almost every session. Topics like Advanced Loops and Functions have the longest allocated time, but a student in a path like this would be expected to complete practice outside of instructional time. Lessons like Digital Citizenship and Careers in STEM are the same session length even for advanced students, as this is crucial information beyond skills of tech that they will carry forward for the rest of their life.
Overall Notes:
1. This Course Structure is just a guideline for educators when planning their lessons around students’ abilities, this has been created for a 16-17 session timeline, with each session around 30 minutes.
2. The actual lesson plans can be accessed by clicking on the “Access Curriculum” – they are also hyperlinked by clicking on any of the lessons in the Course Structure.
3. For students of any ability level, we recommend multiple sessions when introducing the topic of coding. It is extremely arbitrary to anyone learning at the beginning and going through the content multiple times will only help clarify how much it is a part of our lives.
4. Every student should have multiple sessions with Digital Citizenship. As such large users of technology, even if their understanding of coding is limited, they should have proficient knowledge in navigating the internet safely and efficiently.
5. The same goes for our Careers in STEM Lesson Plan – regardless of their excellence in coding – every student should be exposed to careers in STEM that will only motivate them further to learn more in Tech.
6. As a reminder, the goal of CFAM is continued learning for our neurodiverse population.It doesn’t have to be done in one semester or a year-long course.Building good fundamentals in each topic will only set these students up for further success foster their curious minds and develop a passion for Programming!