# Altering the order of Units - Programming/CPT first? **URL:** \ **Category:** Resources, Tools, Differentiation\ **Created:** [March 29, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226 "2024-03-29T13:34:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![philip.g.mctimoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df788c/32.png) [@philip.g.mctimoney](https://forum.code.org/u/philip.g.mctimoney)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/1 "2024-03-29T13:34:37Z")
Hi everyone, We have a discussion at my school about changing the order of units next year. One proposal is to do all the programming lessons first, then the create performance task, and then the units on information, the internet, etc. The motivation for this is - Teach the more theoretical units closer to the exam. - The timing of the CPT is currently a little problematic. We can’t fit it in before our spring break. So we do it right after spring break, which compresses the time available to teach unit 10 and do a review before the exam. I would appreciate any thoughts and/or experience. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![mkmietowicz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/mkmietowicz/32/6322_2.png) [@mkmietowicz](https://forum.code.org/u/mkmietowicz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2024, 4:32am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/2 "2024-04-01T04:32:27Z")
I know a lot of schools teach the units in a different order than [Code.org](http://Code.org)’s curriculum presents them. I’m sure folks will be able to weigh in on how they’ve implemented the course in their districts. I’d also recommend reaching out to your local [Regional Partner](https://code.org/educate/regional-partner) and asking if they know what districts near yours have done. Oftentimes those individuals will be able to say, “we made this change and it worked out great” or “we thought this would work well but it did not for xyz reason.” Hope that helps, -Michael K. ---
**Author:** ![yobeng](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/yobeng/32/9248_2.png) [@yobeng](https://forum.code.org/u/yobeng)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/3 "2025-02-02T23:40:22Z")
Hi everyone, Revisiting this post. 1. It seems to me that my students would follow better if we did Units 4, 6, 3 in that order. Can anyone share if they have tried this and if it does work better? 2. I have read that Unit 7 - Parameters, Return, and Libraries does not appear on the exam this year. Can anyone confirm that this is accurate, so that I focus on other units instead? Thank you for your replies. ---
**Author:** ![amy.foley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@amy.foley](https://forum.code.org/u/amy.foley)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/4 "2025-02-11T18:21:50Z")
Hi, I change the order. I have done it a couple of years in a row and I think it works great. I first teach Unit 1, 2, 3 (great for creating a solid collaborative culture), then coding Unit 4, 6, part of Unit 7 (parameters & returns) before we do the Unit 9 Create Task. After we complete the Create Task, I teach Unit 5, 8 & 10. I feel like lesson 5, 8, 10 can be compressed if needed. Students have to have a function(procedure) that uses parameter in their Create task program so you at least need to do part of Unit 7. ---
**Author:** ![yobeng](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/yobeng/32/9248_2.png) [@yobeng](https://forum.code.org/u/yobeng)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/5 "2025-02-14T14:44:34Z")
Thank you. That is very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![thomasb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@thomasb](https://forum.code.org/u/thomasb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/altering-the-order-of-units-programming-cpt-first/39226/6 "2026-05-29T11:32:24Z")
Hello. Did your school follow the proposal or not? If so how did it go? I’m looking to do something similar. Thanks.