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Knowledge and Skills Statement

Computational thinking--foundations. The student explores the core concepts of computational thinking, a set of problem-solving processes that involve decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms.

The further explanation is designed to be a resource for educators that helps them better understand the topic their students are learning. Further explanations may be written at a more complex level than would be expected for students at the grade level.

The computational thinking process begins with the decomposition of the problem: breaking down the process into a set of smaller subprocesses that allow us to describe, understand, or better execute the process. Decomposition could include dividing a task into a sequence of subtasks or identifying elements or parts of a complex system. For example, when one gives someone directions to their house, they are decomposing the process of getting from one place to another.
 

Give students a problem or task to break into smaller pieces (decompose). Students can use various ways to identify the smaller pieces including the following:

  • Identify the pieces or steps verbally
  • Illustrate the smaller pieces
  • Demonstrate the breaking of a task down physically

Example tasks:

  • Planting a flower
  • Getting ready to go home from school
  • Cleaning after completing an art project
Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

the principle of ignoring those aspects of a subject that are not relevant to the current purpose in order to concentrate solely on those that are
 

breaking a problem into smaller pieces, or subprocesses, to describe, understand, or better solve the problem