We have tried to introduce some ideas and way of thinking of computer science through a set of extra-curricular activities on nursery rhymes. In this paper we discuss our experience in an Italian middle school. The chosen subject is naturally connected to what the pupils see, or listen to, in the primary school as well as in their home. Starting from this material which is familiar to them, the pupils are guided to explore the "computational paradigm". This is accomplished through gradual steps, where they are solicited to observe, to analyze, to devise models and, eventually, to develop simple programs in Logo. Our work is an attempt to suggest a different perspective on computation, since most of the opportunities for the pupils to interact with the new technologies tend to reinforce a view that relegates all the computing sphere to a merely instrumental role.
