Learning objective
File Organization
File Naming & Organization
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Master file management, descriptive naming conventions, folder hierarchies, file extensions, and cloud backup systems to keep your work organized.
My First Folder & Saving
Create a personalized student folder and save digital work directly into it.
Let's Go!
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Imagine throwing all your clothes, toys, and papers into one giant pile on your bedroom floor. What happens when you need to find a specific sock?
Teacher note: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Form (Organizing personal digital folders ensures our work is stored safely and easily found.).
Learn
A Folder is a digital binder that holds your files! Right-click in File Explorer and select 'New ➔ Folder' (or Ctrl+Shift+N). Name your folder with your name (e.g. 'Alex_Work'). When saving files, always choose your folder! In computing, organizing personal digital folders ensures our work is stored safely and easily found. As you explore the interactive Folder Tree Simulator below, focus on how to name the folder with their student name and saves a document into it.
Homework.docx
Puppy.jpg
Story_Chapter1.txt
Class_Anthem.mp3
Field_Trip.png
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Create Your Personal Main Folder
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Opens File Explorer / Finder.
Developing
Creates a new folder using Right Click ➔ New ➔ Folder.
Secure (Goal)
Names the folder with their student name and saves a document into it.
Mastery
Explains why saving work in a designated folder prevents files from vanishing into Downloads.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Teacher notes: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Form (Organizing personal digital folders ensures our work is stored safely and easily found.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Opens File Explorer / Finder.
- Developing: Creates a new folder using Right Click ➔ New ➔ Folder.
- Secure: Names the folder with their student name and saves a document into it.
- Mastering: Explains why saving work in a designated folder prevents files from vanishing into Downloads.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.01.B.1.1 — Create a personalized student folder and save digital work directly into it.
PYP: Form · Organizing personal digital folders ensures our work is stored safely and easily found.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Which keyboard shortcut creates a brand new folder in Windows File Explorer?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Descriptive File Naming
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Descriptive File Naming
Replace default file names (e.g. 'Untitled') with clear, descriptive filenames containing topic and name.
Learning objective
Learning About: File Naming. Learning To: Name files using 'Subject_Topic_Name' conventions. Learning To Be: Communicator.
Let's Go!
Routine: Zoom In
Look at a folder containing 20 files named 'Untitled1', 'Untitled2', 'Doc3'. How can you tell which one is your Science poster?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Zoom In routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Function (Descriptive file names communicate content identity clearly without opening the file.).
Learn
Never leave a file named 'Untitled' or 'Document'! Always use a descriptive file name following the Golden Rule: Subject_Topic_YourName (e.g. 'Math_Fractions_Sam.xlsx'). This tells everyone exactly what is inside! As you explore the interactive File Extension Simulator below, focus on how to use structured naming conventions: Subject_Topic_Name (e.g. 'Science_Habitat_Maya.docx').
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Rename Messy Files Challenge
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies that 'Untitled' or 'Doc1' are bad file names.
Developing
Re-names a file with a single descriptive word (e.g., 'Robot.png').
Secure (Goal)
Uses structured naming conventions: Subject_Topic_Name (e.g. 'Science_Habitat_Maya.docx').
Mastery
Critiques messy file names and demonstrates systematic file renaming across a folder.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Zoom In
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Zoom In routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Function (Descriptive file names communicate content identity clearly without opening the file.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies that 'Untitled' or 'Doc1' are bad file names.
- Developing: Re-names a file with a single descriptive word (e.g., 'Robot.png').
- Secure: Uses structured naming conventions: Subject_Topic_Name (e.g. 'Science_Habitat_Maya.docx').
- Mastering: Critiques messy file names and demonstrates systematic file renaming across a folder.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.01.B.1.2 — Replace default file names (e.g. 'Untitled') with clear, descriptive filenames containing topic and name.
PYP: Function · Descriptive file names communicate content identity clearly without opening the file.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Which of these is the BEST descriptive filename for a Year 4 History poster by Alex?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: Creating Folder Trees
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Creating Folder Trees
Organize work into a logical folder hierarchy with subject subfolders.
Learning objective
Learning About: Subfolders. Learning To: Create subject subfolders inside a main student folder. Learning To Be: Thinker.
Let's Go!
Routine: Think, Pair, Share
How is a folder hierarchy like a tree trunk with branches and smaller twigs?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Think, Pair, Share routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Connection (Hierarchical folder structures reflect logical categorization systems.).
Learn
A Folder Tree uses subfolders inside main folders! Inside your main 'Year4' folder, create subfolders for 'Math', 'Science', 'English', and 'Computing'. Moving files into their correct subject subfolder keeps your digital school desk spotless! In computing, hierarchical folder structures reflect logical categorization systems. As you explore the interactive Keyboard Mouse Simulator below, focus on how to build a complete 2-tier folder tree (Main ➔ Year 4 ➔ Computing / Science / Art).
🎯 Click Me!
Bubbles Popped: 0 / 3
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Enter ↵
Shift ⇧
Z
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⌫ Del
Tab ⇥
Spacebar
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Build Your Year 4 Subject Folder Tree
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Understands that folders can be placed inside other folders.
Developing
Creates two subfolders ('Math' and 'English') inside their main student folder.
Secure (Goal)
Builds a complete 2-tier folder tree (Main ➔ Year 4 ➔ Computing / Science / Art).
Mastery
Navigates complex subfolder trees smoothly using breadcrumb trail navigation.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Think, Pair, Share
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Think, Pair, Share routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Connection (Hierarchical folder structures reflect logical categorization systems.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Understands that folders can be placed inside other folders.
- Developing: Creates two subfolders ('Math' and 'English') inside their main student folder.
- Secure: Builds a complete 2-tier folder tree (Main ➔ Year 4 ➔ Computing / Science / Art).
- Mastering: Navigates complex subfolder trees smoothly using breadcrumb trail navigation.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.02.B.1.1 — Organize work into a logical folder hierarchy with subject subfolders.
PYP: Connection · Hierarchical folder structures reflect logical categorization systems.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Where should you create a 'Scratch_Projects' subfolder to keep your coding work organized?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Moving, Copying & Renaming
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Moving, Copying & Renaming
Move files between folders using drag-and-drop or Cut/Paste, and avoid duplicate clutter.
Learning objective
Learning About: Moving Files. Learning To: Move files into subfolders using drag-and-drop or Cut/Paste. Learning To Be: Knowledgeable.
Let's Go!
Routine: Parts-Purposes-Complexities
What is the difference between COPYING a file to a new folder vs MOVING a file to a new folder?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Parts-Purposes-Complexities routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Responsibility (File management skills ensure data is relocated cleanly without accidental loss.).
Learn
To relocate a file, drag and drop it into the destination folder! You can also click the file, press Ctrl+X (Cut), open the target folder, and press Ctrl+V (Paste). Cut & Paste MOVES the file completely so you don't leave duplicate clutter behind. In computing, file management skills ensure data is relocated cleanly without accidental loss. As you explore the interactive Save Dialog Simulator below, focus on how to move multiple selected files (Ctrl+click) into a target folder simultaneously.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Downloads Folder Clean-Up Sprint
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Drags a file icon into a folder icon.
Developing
Uses Ctrl+X (Cut) on a file and Ctrl+V (Paste) inside a subfolder to move it.
Secure (Goal)
Moves multiple selected files (Ctrl+click) into a target folder simultaneously.
Mastery
Cleans up a messy Downloads folder by sorting files into correct permanent directories.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Parts-Purposes-Complexities
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Parts-Purposes-Complexities routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Responsibility (File management skills ensure data is relocated cleanly without accidental loss.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Drags a file icon into a folder icon.
- Developing: Uses Ctrl+X (Cut) on a file and Ctrl+V (Paste) inside a subfolder to move it.
- Secure: Moves multiple selected files (Ctrl+click) into a target folder simultaneously.
- Mastering: Cleans up a messy Downloads folder by sorting files into correct permanent directories.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.02.B.1.2 — Move files between folders using drag-and-drop or Cut/Paste, and avoid duplicate clutter.
PYP: Responsibility · File management skills ensure data is relocated cleanly without accidental loss.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Which pair of shortcuts moves a file from Downloads to your Subject folder without leaving a duplicate behind?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: File Extensions & Search
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
File Extensions & Search
Identify common file extensions (.docx, .pdf, .png, .sb3) and search system files using filters.
Learning objective
Learning About: File Extensions. Learning To: Identify extensions (.pdf, .png, .docx) and search files. Learning To Be: Open-minded.
Let's Go!
Routine: Connect-Extend-Challenge
Look at the end of a filename: 'Report.docx', 'Picture.png', 'Game.sb3'. What do those 3 letters after the dot tell the computer?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Connect-Extend-Challenge routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Change (File extensions inform operating systems how to interpret and open digital data.).
Learn
The 3 or 4 letters after the dot in a filename are the File Extension! They tell your computer what TYPE of file it is: .docx = Word Doc, .png/.jpg = Image, .pdf = Document, .sb3 = Scratch Game. If you lose a file, type 'kind:image' or '.sb3' in the search bar to find it!
My Computer
⇄ Idle
Cloud Drive
Online
📁 Classroom Shared FolderStorage: 1.2 GB of 15 GB used
Science_Project.docx
Field_Trip_Photo.jpg
School_Play_Video.mp4
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Extension Identification & File Search
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognizes that .png is an image and .docx is a text document.
Developing
Identifies .sb3 as a Scratch coding file and .pdf as a read-only document.
Secure (Goal)
Uses the File Explorer search bar with wildcard filters (e.g. type:pdf or *.png) to locate lost files.
Mastery
Troubleshoots file association errors when an app fails to open an unrecognized extension.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Connect-Extend-Challenge
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Connect-Extend-Challenge routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Change (File extensions inform operating systems how to interpret and open digital data.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognizes that .png is an image and .docx is a text document.
- Developing: Identifies .sb3 as a Scratch coding file and .pdf as a read-only document.
- Secure: Uses the File Explorer search bar with wildcard filters (e.g. type:pdf or *.png) to locate lost files.
- Mastering: Troubleshoots file association errors when an app fails to open an unrecognized extension.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.03.B.1.1 — Identify common file extensions (.docx, .pdf, .png, .sb3) and search system files using filters.
PYP: Change · File extensions inform operating systems how to interpret and open digital data.
Learner profile: Open-minded
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Which file extension identifies a Scratch 3.0 coding project file?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: Cloud Sync & Version Control
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Cloud Sync & Version Control
Manage cloud storage syncing (Google Drive/OneDrive), version numbering (_v1, _v2), and backups.
Learning objective
Learning About: Cloud Sync & Versions. Learning To: Save to cloud drives and use version numbers (_v1, _v2). Learning To Be: Reflective.
Let's Go!
Routine: I used to think...
I used to think saving on a USB thumb drive was safest... Now I know saving to Cloud Storage (Google Drive/OneDrive) backs up work automatically...
Teacher note: Facilitate the I used to think... routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Perspective (Cloud synchronization and version control protect digital assets against data loss.).
Learn
Cloud Storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) saves your work to secure internet servers so you can access your files from any computer! When working on large projects over several weeks, use Version Numbers (e.g. 'Poster_v1', 'Poster_v2') so you can always go back to an earlier draft if needed.
💡 Click or press keys on your physical keyboard:
📁 Source Document (Research Notes)
➔
📋 Destination Notebook (Clean Summary)
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
Cloud Save & Version Control Drill
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognizes the cloud sync icon (cloud with checkmark).
Developing
Saves work into a cloud-synced folder (Google Drive or OneDrive).
Secure (Goal)
Uses version numbers in file names when making major edits (e.g. 'Project_v1.docx', 'Project_v2.docx').
Mastery
Restores an earlier version of a file using Version History in Google Drive / OneDrive.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: I used to think...
Teacher notes: Facilitate the I used to think... routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Perspective (Cloud synchronization and version control protect digital assets against data loss.).
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognizes the cloud sync icon (cloud with checkmark).
- Developing: Saves work into a cloud-synced folder (Google Drive or OneDrive).
- Secure: Uses version numbers in file names when making major edits (e.g. 'Project_v1.docx', 'Project_v2.docx').
- Mastering: Restores an earlier version of a file using Version History in Google Drive / OneDrive.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: FILE.03.B.1.2 — Manage cloud storage syncing (Google Drive/OneDrive), version numbering (_v1, _v2), and backups.
PYP: Perspective · Cloud synchronization and version control protect digital assets against data loss.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Why is adding version numbers like '_v1' and '_v2' to filenames useful during big projects?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow