1st Grade PSI Think Like a Computer Activity www.njctl.org Slide - - PDF document

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1st Grade PSI Think Like a Computer Activity

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Technology is equipment that is used to store, get or send information. Computers are a type of technology. Can you think of some examples of how a computer can store, get and send information? Write your answers below. Store Get Send

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Computers "think" in a different language than we do. They use something called binary code. In binary code, an item is either "off" or "on". Think about a light switch. It can either be off or on. Can you think of anything else that uses a binary system?

Binary Code Slide 4 / 16

For computers, each item is a box. The box can either be black or white. A set of boxes codes for a letter.

Binary Code

This pattern of boxes is binary code for "S".

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Look at the binary code alphabet on your handout. Each letter is coded by a group of 8 boxes. Do you notice something about the first half of the alphabet compared to the second half of the alphabet? The first half (A-O) has a matching pattern in the first 4 boxes. The second half (P-Z) has a matching pattern in the first 4 boxes.

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Think Like a Computer

It's time to think like a computer! Translate the following boxes into letters. There is one letter per page. Write the letters down in order on your handout to answer this riddle. What is an astronaut's favorite part of a keyboard? Hint: First, look at the first 4 boxes to see which part of the alphabet the letter is in. Then match the last 4 boxes to the letter.

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What is an astronaut's favorite part of a keyboard?

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