Hardware vs Software

👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Guide

Objective
Students will compare hardware and software, give examples of each, and explain how they work together.

Teaching Notes

Use a simple rule: hardware = you can touch; software = you can’t touch.
Give paired examples: keyboard (hardware) + typing app (software).
Explain that software tells hardware what to do.
Use a sorting activity to reinforce the difference.

🧒 Student Worksheet

Concept and Helping Material

Hardware is the physical parts of a device you can touch. Software is the programs and apps that run on the device. Hardware and software work together to help you do tasks.

Computer Vocabulary and Definition

— The physical parts of a computer you can touch.
— Programs and apps that run on a device.
— Instructions that tell the computer what to do.
— A piece of technology like a computer or tablet.
— To add software to a device.

Computer QA

What is hardware?
What is software?
Is a keyboard hardware or software?
Is a drawing app hardware or software?
What is a program?
What is a device?
What does install mean?
True or False: Hardware is made of physical parts.
True or False: Software is something you can hold.
Name one hardware example.
Name one software example.
How do hardware and software work together?
Is a screen hardware or software?
Is an operating system hardware or software?
Can a device work without software?
Can software run without hardware?
What happens if hardware breaks?
What happens if software crashes?
What is one example of installing software?
Who should help you install new apps?

Computer Prtactices

Sort list into Hardware vs Software: monitor, keyboard, OS, game app, printer, camera app.
Draw and label: one device and two hardware parts + two software apps.
Match pairs: microphone (hardware) → voice recorder (software).
Class challenge: Name 5 hardware parts in the room.

Reflection

What is one hardware item you used today?
What is one software app you used today?