At School

Assemble the Computing System

In this activity, learners will create a paper model of the main parts of the inside of a laptop to learn about computing systems. First, learners will read about the parts that make up the system. The way that the material is presented allows learners to relate each of the parts to a character with a role that will make it easy to remember the part’s function. Learners will then take what they learned and construct the interior of a laptop that has missing parts. Learners will use clues for the parts to help them identify each piece. This activity will reinforce the concepts.

Assemble the Computing System

Materials

Scissors
Tape or glue stick

Instructions

Print out the Learner’s Sheet pages.
Gather the supplies needed.
Tell your learner about this activity: “Today, we’re going to learn about computing systems! First, we're going to read about the parts that make up the inside of a computer, which is called a computing system. Then, you're going to use what you learned to fill in the missing pieces of the inside of a laptop. Let's get started!"
Pause and read the "Introduction" and "Meet Your Computer Parts!" sections of the Learner's Sheet. You can have your learner read these to themselves or you can take turns reading it aloud.
Tell your learner: "Now, let's do the activity! Get your scissors and tape or glue stick ready. Follow the directions to cut out the parts and place them in the spots of the motherboard that are missing. There are clues to help you figure out what goes where. Let me know when you're done and we'll check to see which ones you got right."
Pause and have your learner do step #5 now. Check their work against the answer key when they are done and make any necessary corrections.
Tell your learner: "Great job! Now, let's put the parts into the computer. Cut out the laptop on the next page and then tape or glue the finished motherboard into the space where the instructions are."
Pause and have your learner complete step #7 now. Have them let you know when they are done.
Tell your learner: "One more step left to do! Now, we need to close the laptop back up. On the last page, cut out the bottom half of the keyboard. This part has the keyboard and touchpad. Then, line it up over the motherboard so that it covers the whole bottom half of the laptop to close it up. Using your tape or glue, stick only the top part of this new part to the rest of your laptop. If you do this right, it will work like a hinge that you can open and close, and will look something like
the picture on the top right-hand side of the page." This picture is also included on the answer key page for your own reference.
Pause and have your learner complete step #8 now. They may need some help with this part. If they are using a glue stick, they may need to fold part of the new piece so that it forms a better hinge.
Congratulate your learner on a job well done!