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Grade 1: I Notice, I Wonder

Data Science for Young Minds — Ages 6-7

8 Sessions Once a Week 100% Screen-Free Parent-Led Free

Welcome!

Grade 1 is where the data science journey begins — not with computers, but with eyes, hands, and curiosity. Your child will learn to notice the world carefully, sort and group objects, count with purpose, and describe what they see. Every session is screen-free and hands-on.

The key skill this year: classification — the ability to sort the world into meaningful groups. This is the foundation of all data thinking.

100% Screen-Free

Every activity uses real objects: buttons, blocks, stickers, nature items. No devices needed.

Sorting & Grouping

Sort by color, size, shape, texture. Discover that the same things can be grouped many ways.

Counting With Purpose

Count not just to count, but to answer questions. How many red ones? Which group has more?

Sticker Pictographs

Build your first data displays using stickers, drawings, and physical objects.

Course Sessions

Available

I Can Sort!

Sort a collection of objects by color. Discover that putting things in groups helps you see patterns.

Activity: Sort 20 buttons (or pasta, beads, LEGO) by color into cups or piles.

Take-home: Find 10 things in your room and sort them by color.

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 1

Available

More Ways to Sort

The same objects can be sorted by size, shape, or texture. Learn that there are many ways to organize the world.

Activity: Sort the same 20 objects three different ways. How do the groups change?

Take-home: Sort your stuffed animals (or shoes) by size from smallest to biggest.

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 2

Available

How Many? Let's Count!

Count the objects in each group. Learn to use tally marks and answer "how many?" with confidence.

Activity: Count objects in sorted groups using tally marks. Which group has the most?

Take-home: Count how many of each color car you see on a short drive or walk.

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 3

Available

More, Less, or Equal?

Compare groups: which has more? Which has less? Which are the same? Learn comparison language.

Activity: Line up two groups of objects side by side. Which line is longer? Count to check.

Take-home: At dinner, compare: are there more forks or spoons? More plates or cups?

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 4

Available

Asking Yes or No

Learn to ask questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" — and collect answers from friends and family.

Activity: Ask 10 people: "Do you like pizza?" Record answers with happy/sad face stickers.

Take-home: Ask your family one yes/no question and draw the results.

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 5

Available

My First Pictograph

Build a pictograph using stickers! Each sticker represents one answer. See your data come alive.

Activity: Survey classmates about favorite fruit. Build a sticker pictograph on poster paper.

Take-home: Make a pictograph of your family's favorite colors using crayons or stickers.

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 6

Available

What Did We Find Out?

Look at your pictograph and answer questions. "The most popular fruit is..." Learn to read your own data.

Activity: Answer 5 questions about your pictograph. Practice saying "We found out that..."

Take-home: Tell a family member what you found out from your data. Use "We found out that..."

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 7

Available

Our Favorite ___ Project

Your first data project! Choose a question, ask people, build a pictograph, and share what you found.

Activity: Complete your "Our Favorite ___" project from question to presentation.

Take-home: Present your project to your family. You are a data scientist!

4 lessonsActivity included

Start Session 8

      Tips for Parents
      Use real objects. Buttons, blocks, pasta, coins — physical sorting builds understanding that worksheets cannot.
Let them choose how to sort. There is no wrong way! If they sort by "things I like," that counts.
Make it playful. This is play with a purpose. If it feels like a game, you are doing it right.
Use the magic words. "How many?" "Which has more?" "What did you find out?" These build data vocabulary naturally.
Keep sessions to 15-20 minutes. Short and fun beats long and boring. Stop while they are still smiling.

    

Ready to Start?

All you need is a collection of small objects (buttons, LEGO, pasta) and some stickers. Let the sorting begin!

Start Session 1