One of the strongest predictors of success in computer science (at high school and college levels) is fluency with algebraic concepts like "variable", "function", "operator", "function composition", "domain", and "range". Now a package of software, text, and pedagogical techniques, originally developed at Rice University to teach programming to college freshmen, is returning the favor by helping high-school and middle-school teachers convey these algebraic principles. Students learn a methodical (as opposed to "random hacking") approach to the task of turning a problem description into a working program — an approach equally applicable to the task of turning a word problem into a correct algebraic model. Using a simple, consistent language and a platform designed specifically for beginners, students will see concretely the workings of variables, function composition, order of operations, and recursion. For more information, including testimonials and lesson plans by middle- and high-school teachers who have used this approach, please see http://www.adelphi.edu/sbloch/class/hs/ .