Washington Middle School Computer Science: First Coding Units, Grades 6–9
Washington Middle School Computer Science: First Coding Units, Grades 6–9
A Washington middle school teacher starting computer science from zero needs four things first: algorithms, a first programming language, how computers store data, and how the internet works. The Coding & Computer Basics Units Bundle covers exactly those four for $69.99, with leveled worksheets, slides and answer keys. It brings no software or accounts and is not aligned to Washington's CS learning standards.
View the coding unitsThe Coding & Computer Basics Units Bundle ($69.99) has four Grades 6–9 units: Algorithms and Computational Thinking, Programming with Python, Data and Encoding: Binary & Digital Images, and How the Internet Works. Each has worksheets on four levels, a reading text, a hands-on task, slides and full answer keys with a marking guide. For a Washington teacher new to coding it is a solid start; compare it with the state's 2018 CS learning standards yourself.
The resources
Coding & Computer Basics Units Bundle, Grades 6–9
4 resources in one download: $69.99 instead of $99.96 bought separately.
Start with the first resource; the others are optional add-ons. Open any cover for the full contents and price.
Coding & Computer Basics Units Bundle | Algorithms, Python, Binary & How the Internet Works | 4 Units | Grades 6–9
AI & Cybersecurity Units Bundle | How AI Works, Prompting, Phishing, Encryption & Data Privacy | 6 Units | Grades 6–9
Computer Science Activities Bundle | Artificial Intelligence, Python Programming, Cybersecurity & Digital Literacy | Middle School Grades 7–10
Programming with Python – Computer Science Unit (Grades 6–9)
The real problem
Why middle school coding matters more in Washington now
Washington adopted its Learning Standards for Computer Science in 2018. Since the 2022–23 school year, every district that operates a high school must give all of its high school students access to an elective computer science course. In high school, a CS course that follows the state standards may substitute once for third-year math or third-year science, although computer science is not a stand-alone graduation requirement. Taken together, those rules make middle school the place where students decide whether that high school elective is for them. A student who has written a few lines of Python and understood how a search engine finds a page has a reason to try the elective. One who has never seen code may not even consider it. The middle school teacher in that picture is frequently someone from math, science or the library who has been given a CS section with little preparation time. What that teacher needs is not a sprawling platform but clear explanations of the core ideas, tasks that work for complete beginners and for students who already code at home, and answer keys that make grading possible without a computing degree.
Why it fits
What each unit does in your classroom
Four units, four core ideas. Teach them in order for a short course, or pick one for a rotation.
- Algorithms and Computational Thinking builds step-by-step problem solving before anyone touches a keyboard.
- Programming with Python moves from print, variables and input to if statements, loops and a mini-project.
- The Python unit's description says it works for students brand new to coding and for confident ones.
- Binary and digital images show students how a photo on their screen is really stored as numbers.
- How the Internet Works explains what happens between typing an address and seeing a page.
- Worksheets on Basic, Standard, Plus and Project levels let one task serve a mixed-ability class.
Getting started
A nine-week introduction to computer science
A sample sequence for a quarter-long class. Stretch it to a semester by adding your own projects between units.
- Weeks 1–2: algorithmsStart unplugged with Algorithms and Computational Thinking. Have students write precise instructions and test each other's steps, so they see why computers need exact sequences before they write any code.
- Weeks 3–5: Python basicsTeach Programming with Python on whatever Python setup your school already has. Begin with print, variables and input, then move into if statements and loops.
- Week 6: the mini-projectGive students time to finish the Python mini-project. Let stronger coders extend it while others use the Basic and Standard worksheets to secure the fundamentals.
- Week 7: binary and imagesUse Data and Encoding: Binary & Digital Images to show what sits under the code. Students work with binary numbers and see how a digital image is stored as data.
- Weeks 8–9: the internetFinish with How the Internet Works, then point students toward the elective computer science course their high school is required to offer, so they know where this can lead.
What to buy
Coding first, or a wider CS course
To start a coding-focused class, buy the Coding & Computer Basics Units Bundle at $69.99; the four units cost $99.96 separately. If your course also covers AI and online safety, add the AI & Cybersecurity Units Bundle ($89.99, parts $149.94), with six units from how AI works to encryption. For a full set of 10 units and 30 lessons for Grades 7–10, including Python, AI, cybersecurity and networks, choose the Computer Science Activities Bundle ($119.99). If you only want to try Python with one class, Programming with Python is sold on its own for $24.99.
Honest limits
Before you buy
These units were not written for Washington and are not aligned to the state's 2018 Learning Standards for Computer Science, so compare them with the standards and any district curriculum. No software, coding platform, accounts or devices are included; students use the computers and Python setup your school already has, or work on paper for the unplugged parts. You set pacing and grading. If your department wants to share the bundle, send Teach Lessons a short message first. Should it not suit your class, exchange it within 7 days for store credit of equal value, not cash.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is this aligned to Washington's computer science standards?
No. The bundle is not aligned to, approved under or written for Washington's Learning Standards for Computer Science, and it carries no standard codes. Its topics, algorithms, programming, data representation and networks, are common in introductory CS, but you should read the standards and check each unit yourself.
Can students earn high school credit with it?
No. It is a middle school resource. The substitution for third-year math or third-year science applies to a standards-aligned high school CS course that your district offers. What the bundle can do is give students enough experience in Grades 6–9 to decide whether they want that elective later.
What do I need to run the Python unit?
A Python setup your school already uses, such as one installed on school computers or a browser-based tool your district approves. The bundle includes no software or accounts. The unit's worksheets, reading text and slides explain each step, so students know what to type and why.
I am a math teacher, not a programmer. Will I cope?
The units were collected for teachers starting a CS class, including those who have never taught coding. Each begins with a detailed reading text you can study the night before, and the full answer keys with a marking guide take the guesswork out of grading.
Can I use the units in Grade 6 and Grade 9?
Yes. They are written for Grades 6–9, and the four worksheet levels let you adjust the same lesson. Sixth graders may work mostly on Basic and Standard, while ninth graders can go straight to Plus and Project tasks. That also helps in a mixed class with a few experienced coders.
How quickly can I start?
Right away. The files are available as soon as you buy, through an email link and in your customer account under Orders. You can read the algorithms unit's reading text that evening and teach the first lesson the next day, since it needs no computers at all.
Teach your first coding lesson this week
Open the bundle page to see the four units and how each one is built.
View the coding units