Illinois Coding Studies — Grade 1
Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Course Overview
Our Illinois Grade 1 Coding Studies course introduces computers and coding to children with no prior experience. It begins with computer parts, mouse and keyboard skills, and a plain explanation of what coding actually is.
The thinking strand builds computational thinking, sequencing, algorithms, directions and navigation, patterns and logical reasoning, and decomposition — the habits of mind that matter far more at this age than any particular software.
Children then move into block-based coding: movement and sound commands, connecting blocks, events and triggers, loops, simple if-then conditions, variables, and grid coordinates, followed by a full module on debugging — finding and fixing mistakes without giving up.
The creative strand covers coding puzzles, interactive stories, simple animations, coding games, and digital art and design, so children build something of their own in every unit.
The course closes with digital citizenship, online safety and privacy, collaboration and pair programming, unplugged coding activities away from screens, and real-world coding, before integrated projects and a full year-end review.
Introduction to Computers & Technology
What Is a Computer?
Children learn what a computer is. A computer follows instructions people give it.
Computer Parts
Children name computer parts. Each part has a job.
Monitor / Screen
Children learn about the screen. The screen shows what the computer is doing.
Keyboard
Children learn about the keyboard. The keyboard types letters and numbers.
Mouse
Children learn about the mouse. The mouse moves the pointer.
Keyboard, Mouse & Digital Skills
Mouse Movement
Children move the mouse. The pointer follows the mouse.
Clicking
Children click the mouse. A click chooses something.
Double-Clicking
Children double-click. Two quick clicks open things.
Drag and Drop
Children drag and drop. Dragging moves things across the screen.
Scrolling
Children scroll a page. Scrolling shows what is off screen.
What Is Coding?
What Is Coding?
Children learn what coding is. Coding is telling a computer what to do.
Programs
Children learn what a program is. A program is a set of instructions.
Instructions
Children learn about instructions. Instructions must be in order.
Commands
Children learn about commands. A command tells the computer one thing to do.
Computers Follow Instructions
Children learn computers follow instructions exactly. Computers do just what they are told.
Computational Thinking
Logical Thinking
Children think logically. Logic means reasons that follow.
Step-by-Step Thinking
Children think step by step. Small steps are easier to follow.
Problem Solving
Children solve problems. Problem solving is coding’s real skill.
Breaking Problems Down
Children break problems down. Small parts are easier to handle.
Finding Patterns
Children find patterns. Patterns repeat and can be reused.
Sequencing
Sequence
Children learn about sequence. Sequence is the order of steps.
First
Children use the word first. First is the starting step.
Next
Children use the word next. Next comes after first.
Then
Children use the word then. Then continues the sequence.
Last
Children use the word last. Last is the final step.
Algorithms
What Is an Algorithm?
Children learn what an algorithm is. An algorithm is a set of steps to finish a job.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Children write step-by-step instructions. Every step must be clear.
Everyday Algorithms
Children find everyday algorithms. Brushing teeth is an algorithm.
Following Instructions
Children follow instructions exactly. Computers cannot guess.
Creating Instructions
Children create their own instructions. Writing them reveals missing steps.
Directions & Navigation
Up
Children use the direction up. Up moves towards the top.
Down
Children use the direction down. Down moves towards the bottom.
Left
Children use the direction left. Left and right take practice.
Right
Children use the direction right. Right is opposite left.
Forward
Children move forward. Forward means the way you are facing.
Patterns & Logical Reasoning
Number Patterns
Children find number patterns. Numbers can follow a rule.
Shape Patterns
Children find shape patterns. Shapes can repeat in order.
Color Patterns
Children find colour patterns. Colours make patterns easy to see.
Repeating Patterns
Children spot repeating patterns. Repeats can be replaced with a loop.
Sequence Patterns
Children spot sequence patterns. Sequences follow a rule.
Decomposition
Breaking Problems Into Parts
Children break problems into parts. Parts are easier than wholes.
Smaller Tasks
Children make smaller tasks. Small tasks feel achievable.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Children build step-by-step solutions. Steps combine into a solution.
Story Decomposition
Children break stories into parts. Stories have beginning, middle, and end.
Game Decomposition
Children break games into parts. Games have characters, rules, and goals.
Coding Commands
Movement Commands
Children use movement commands. Movement is the first thing to code.
Turn Commands
Children use turn commands. Turning changes direction.
Start Commands
Children use start commands. Start begins the program.
Stop Commands
Children use stop commands. Stop ends the program.
Sound Commands
Children use sound commands. Sound makes programs lively.
Block-Based Coding
Block-Based Programming
Children code with blocks. Blocks avoid typing mistakes.
Drag-and-Drop Blocks
Children drag and drop blocks. Dragging builds a program.
Command Blocks
Children use command blocks. Each block does one thing.
Connecting Blocks
Children connect blocks. Connected blocks run in order.
Executing Programs
Children run their programs. Running shows what the code does.
Events & Actions
Start Events
Children use start events. A start event launches the program.
Click Events
Children use click events. Clicking can trigger an action.
Key Press Events
Children use key press events. Keys can control a character.
Character Actions
Children program character actions. Characters do what the code says.
Triggers
Children learn about triggers. A trigger starts something happening.
Also Covered in This Course
Teaching Methodology
Our Grade 1 Coding classes are playful, visual, and largely screen-light. Children act out algorithms with their own bodies before they touch a keyboard, and every unit ends with something they built themselves. Children learn through:
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Grade 1, students will be able to:
Assessment & Progress Tracking
Student progress is evaluated through:
Why Choose NextChanakya for Illinois Grade 1 Coding Studies?
Standards Note
This syllabus is offered as a foundational coding, computational thinking, and digital literacy programme for children in Illinois, broadly informed by widely used K–12 computer science frameworks and the CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards.
Computer science is not a mandatory Grade 1 subject in Illinois. Illinois schools and districts differ in whether and how they teach computing in the early grades, and may use different platforms, devices, instructional materials, pacing guides, activities, and assessments.
Illinois does not prescribe a single Grade 1 coding platform, textbook, curriculum sequence, or assessment system. This is not the only Grade 1 coding syllabus available, and no specific software, device, coding platform, or instructional resource is required statewide.
The programme is platform-neutral. Concepts such as sequencing, loops, conditions, and debugging are taught so they transfer to any block-based coding environment a school or family chooses.
Online safety and digital citizenship content is taught at an age-appropriate, protective level. Children are taught to keep personal information private, to use only sites an adult has approved, and to tell a trusted adult about anything that worries them. All online activity should be adult-supervised.
It is important to distinguish between computer science learning standards and the coding course structure created for this educational programme, which organises computing into a month-by-month teaching sequence.