Parts of a Computer
Background Information & Activities

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People use computers to do countless numbers of tasks, from writing a book report to studying far away planets. Help children understand that computers are involved with almost everything they do and experience, from manufacturing the school buses kids ride to creating the textbooks they read in class. Computers can be used to write, draw, play games, make animated movies, and more. People also use computers to communicate via chat, blogging, or e-mail and to research and share information on the Internet. How do your children use computers in the classroom or at home? Brainstorm different uses together.

There are different kinds of computers. Review with your children that a laptop, or notebook computer, is specially designed to be carried or moved. It's much smaller than a desktop computer, which is not designed to be mobile.

Show a computer and review its main parts. Remind children that the physical parts that make up a computer are called hardware. The CPU, or central processing unit, is the "brain" of the computer. Explain to your children that just as our brains control our bodies, the CPU controls all the computers parts. It also contains the hard disk drive, or hard drive, which stores a lot of information. The memory is where files (our work) are saved.

Help your children understand that some types of hardware are for inputting information. The keyboard is used for typing information into the computer, and the mouse is used for pointing and choosing. A scanner copies information and puts it into the computer. Microphones, digital cameras, and web cameras all input information. Other types of hardware are for outputting information. The monitor, or screen, speakers, and a printer all output information. A modem works with computers to send out and receive information to access the Internet.

Software gives instructions to the hardware and tells it what to do and when to do it. Writing and drawing programs, reading programs, and games might be some programs or applications that are loaded on your home or class computers. Go through different examples with your children on the computer and discuss what they do and how they are used.

Parts of a Computer Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Parts of a Computer Family Activities – Click Here!

Parts of a Computer Teacher Activities

© 1999-2010 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Parts of a Computer

Use sticky notes to label a computer's parts. Discuss what each part does together. You may also want to write down rules or tips that students should follow or use. For example, the sticky note on a keyboard might mention its function but also how it should be used gently and how people should wash their hands before using the keyboard. A note on the printer would advise on printing only what is needed to conserve paper and ink.

Class Blog

If possible, start a classroom blog together! There are many free blogging tools that can get you and your class started. You may want your students to explore other classroom blogs to get ideas about the class blog. Which blogs do they like best and why? How often should they update it? What projects or information would they like to share? The blog might want to be specific about a project the whole class is working on and share their creative process. The blog could be about raising awareness for an issue in their school, community, or in the world. Help them use a web cam, microphone, or digital camera to input information and integrate different media into their blog.

Parts of a Computer Family Activities

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Computer Time

Help your child become tech savvy! If possible, set aside time each week to explore the computer together. You may want to teach your child how to use a certain program or choose a topic to research on the Internet. You may also want to use the time to chat with relatives or friends or send e-mail. Use the opportunity to teach best practices, computer care, and Internet safety. You may wish to bookmark safe pages on the Internet for your child to explore on his or her own.

Explore the Zoo

The Internet can take you to far away places. Many zoos around the world have streaming video of special animals. For example, a zoo in China might have streaming video or a live camera of a baby giant panda. The National Zoo offers many live cams on otters, cheetahs, and more. Use the Internet as a tool for research and exploration.