Abstraction is one of the most fundamental ideas in computer science (CS), and as such, according to Bruner, it should be taught spirally, starting as early as possible and revisited at every level of education. However, teaching CS abstraction to novices is a very challenging task, and CS educational research has often demonstrated students'…

Describes nine-week computer literacy course offered to seventh graders of the Freeport, Illinois, School District, which teaches students how to operate a computer, input a program, process the program, and identify output. Sample activities involving predicting output, and modifying and writing a program are appended. (EJS)