Computer Science
Grade 4
20 min
Searching for Information: Simple Queries
Learn to perform basic queries to find specific records in the database.
What you'll learn
- Identify three different keywords that could be used to find information online about their favorite animal.
- Explain in their own words why using specific keywords is more helpful than using broad keywords when searching online.
- Apply the skill of using keywords to successfully find at least two relevant websites when given a specific research question (e.g., 'What do pandas eat?').
- Solve a simple search challenge by refining their initial search terms to get more relevant results, demonstrating an understanding of how to narrow a search.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the terms database, table, column, row, and query.
Identify the different parts of a simple query (FIND, FROM, WHERE).
Write a simple query to find information based on a single condition.
Write a simple query to find information using an 'AND' condition.
Predict the results of a given simple query on a small data table.
Explain how searching a database is like asking a very specific question.
Have you ever tried to find one specific LEGO brick in a giant box? 🧐 A computer can find information instantly if you ask it the right way!
Today, we'll become 'Database Detectives'! We will learn how to ask a computer special questions, called queries, to find exactly the information we need. This is a super-power for organizing a...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
DatabaseA super organized collection of information stored on a computer, like a digital filing cabinet.A school's database might have information about all its students, teachers, and classes.
TableA chart inside a database that holds information about one specific topic. It's made of columns and rows.A 'Pets' table could store information about different pets.
ColumnA vertical part of a table that describes one type of information for all items. It's the title at the top of a list.In a 'Pets' table, 'Name', 'AnimalType', and 'Color' would be columns.
RowA horizontal part of a table that contains all the information about a single item.In a 'Pets' table, one row might be: 'Fido', &#...
3
Core Syntax & Patterns
The Basic Query Pattern
FIND * FROM [Table Name] WHERE [Column Name] = 'Value'
Use this to find all information about items that match your rule. 'FIND *' means 'get all columns'. 'FROM' tells it which table to look in. 'WHERE' sets the condition or rule for the search.
The 'AND' Pattern
FIND * FROM [Table Name] WHERE [Column 1] = 'Value1' AND [Column 2] = 'Value2'
Use 'AND' when you need to find items that match more than one rule at the same time. Both conditions must be true for an item to be found.
4 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
You want to find a video game that is 'multiplayer' AND is either 'racing' OR 'puzzle'. Which of these games would NOT be in your search results?
A.multiplayer racing game.
B.multiplayer puzzle game.
C.multiplayer game that is both racing and a puzzle.
D.single-player racing game.
Challenging
You search a student database for 'In_Band AND In_5th_Grade' and get 8 names. You search for 'In_Band AND Plays_Soccer' and get 6 names. You notice that 2 students are on BOTH lists. How many students in total are in the band based on these two searches?
A.14
B.12
C.16
D.10
Challenging
Your school's lost-and-found is a database with fields: `Item_Type`, `Color`, `Date_Found`. You lost a red backpack about a week ago. Which query is MOST LIKELY to miss your item?
A.`Item_Type: backpack` AND `Color: red`
B.`Date_Found: [a date from two months ago]`
C.`Item_Type: backpack`
D.`Color: red`
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing FreeMore from Database Detectives: Organizing Information Like a Pro
Computer Science for other grades
Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Searching for Information: Simple Queries"?
Searching for Information: Simple Queries is a Grade 4 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Searching for Information: Simple Queries?
You'll be able to: Identify three different keywords that could be used to find information online about their favorite animal; Explain in their own words why using specific keywords is more helpful than using broad keywords when searching online….
Is "Searching for Information: Simple Queries" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Searching for Information: Simple Queries?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.