1. Binary Code: The Language of Computers!
Mrs. Namendorf
Grade 4 ESL
Technology Lesson

2. Content Objectives: Language Objectives: Students will be able to…
Use Binary code to write a message.
Change base 10 system numbers to Binary numbers
Language Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Define Binary code
Discuss Binary code with a partner
Read aloud their written message

3. Standards: WIDA Standards: NJCCCS Technology:
WIDA 4-5 Standard 3: Mathematics Language.
NJCCCS Technology:
8.2.4.G.2 Explain the functions of a system and subsystems.

4. -nary Bi- What does Binary mean?
Means 2
For example Bi- cycle (it has 2 wheels)
Bi-noculars (it has two lenses
The dictionary tells us that nary means “not one.”
Therefore Binary means two, not 1

5. The language the computers use
What is Binary?
Binary is…
The language the computers use
A number system

6. The binary system uses only two symbols, a 0 and a 11
1 = on
0 = off

7. Bit…
The Binary Code assigns one of two numbers to each state a switch on a memory chip happens to be in. If the switch is “ON,” it is assigned a “1.” If it is “OFF,” it is assigned a “0.” Each “1” or “0” is called a “bit.”

8. You can only have the numbers 0 or 1
If you had a number 0, that would mean…
If you had a number 1, that would mean…
It is on
It is off

9. Byte…
Every letter, every number, every color, everything you type on your keyboard is assigned a series of “1”s and “0”s by your computer. Each series of bits is called a “byte.”

10. How to count in Binary? 23 8 22 4 21 2 20 1 Decimal Count
Decimal Value 3 5 6 7 9 10 11 12

11. Review Time! Answers Binary Code
What is the language of computers called?
Binary Code
What are the two numbers in Binary Code?
0 and 1
What does “0” mean?
OFF
What does “1” mean? ON

12. How does your computer use this?
If you type an “a” on your keyboard, the computer assigns it the series
A “b” is
A “j” is and so on through the whole alphabet.
I will now give out a handout to help express letters on a keyboard to the computer.

13. Assignment First, try to write your name in Binary Code.
Show your partner and see if they can follow how you wrote your name.
If they can, you are ready for part 2.
Next, work with your partner to write a short message about binary code.
For example
Binary is so much fun
Please put one word per line!

14. References
Binary pictures taken from Google search engine on 6/5/2012 from following sites:
Picture on slide 3 was retrieved from
Picture on slide 4 was retrieved from
Picture on slide 7 was retrieved from
Picture on slide 9 was retrieved from
Binary Simplified Code sheet and Counting Guide taken modified from following source
Binary code. (2011, December 20). Retrieved from