Course Syllabus

AP Computer Science A

 Mrs. Patti Griffin ~ Room 117

Course Syllabus

 

Email: patti.griffin@ucps.k12.nc.us

Phone: 704-296-3088

Planning: 2nd block

Tutoring Hours: Fridays 10:00 in MS Teams 

Office Hours: Fridays 9 am - 12 noon

CS A Course Overview (provided by the College Board)

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level CS1 course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using the Java programming language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. Students should plan to work between 1 and 2 hours on this course 5 days a week. This is the equivalent of 90 minutes in class and 30 minutes homework daily.  Course work will be assigned and due weekly. Each day has assignments posted to help you pace yourself through the material. You will get the most out of this course if you work through assignments each day. This allows you time to process what you have learned previously so you can effectively apply prior learning to new knowledge.

 

Course Outline

The CSAwesome course follows the 2019 AP CSA unit outline and content as provided in the AP CS A Course and Exam Description. The units that follow interweave the five AP CS A Computational Thinking Practices of Program Design and Algorithm Development, Code Logic, Code Implementation, Code Testing, and Documentation with the four Big Ideas of Modularity, Variables, Control, and Impact of Computing                                                                                         

  • Unit 1. Getting Started and Primitive Types
  • Unit 2. Using Objects            
  • Unit 3. Boolean Expressions and If Statements            
  • Unit 4. Iteration (Loops)            
  • Unit 5. Writing Classes
  • Unit 6. Arrays  
  • Unit 7. ArrayList            
  • Unit 8. 2D Arrays
  • Unit 9. Inheritance
  • Unit 10. Recursion  
  • Unit 11. Post Test    
  • Unit 12. Preparing for the Exam               

 

Lab Component: 

The course includes a structured-lab component in which students will complete a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on lab experiences. The curriculum has small coding assignments called Programming Challenges in each lesson, which they are encouraged to do using pair programming. In addition, students will complete at least three of the following College Board AP Computer Science A labs, as chosen by their teachers, in the CSAwesome course to complete a minimum of 20 hours:

  • MagPie Chatbot Lab
  • Picture Lab
  • Consumer Review Lab
  • Celebrity Lab
  • Steganography Lab
  • Data Lab

 

Grading:

50% ~ Homework & Classwork (this may include in text practice, group work, worksheets, outside reading, or other assignments aimed at providing extra practice  and reinforcement of the ideas covered in class).

50% ~ Section Quizzes, Labs, Tests

            Final Exam is 25% of course grade.  This will be a “teacher created” exam since the College

Board Exam is May 6th, 2021.

  • All work is expected by its due date; however, late work will be accepted until the end of Unit/Module BEFORE the Quiz/Test of that Unit. Late work will result in a 10 point penalty
  • Report Cards every 6 weeks and Progress Reports around week 3, 9, 15. Canvas & TestOut is used to grade assignments as well, however, the grades in these platforms, while accurate to that assignment, are NOT the teacher’s gradebook. The teacher’s gradebook includes categories of assignments that may be weighted differently and may include grades for assignments that did not use the Canvas Learning Platform. Therefore, students and parents should always check their child’s true average on the Parent Portal on Powerschool.

Internet Policy

Students will use the school network and Internet on a daily basis to access instructional websites and project resources. All students are expected to abide by the UCPS Acceptable Use policy (page 62 of the UCPS High School handbook) when using the school network. The streaming of audio and/or video, playing games on the computer without permission, the use of chat rooms, social media, YouTube, instant messenger, email, proxy servers or using the Internet for non-educational purposes is prohibited (page 75 of the UCPS High School handbook). Violations will result in disciplinary action.

Work Ethic

Work Ethic is a set of values based on character and hard work.  Now is the time to develop these skills, such as honesty & integrity, attendance & punctuality, productivity, attitude, appearance, organizational skills, and team work.  Please make good choices and refresh yourself with the Honor Code in the UCPS High School Handbook (page 39).  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.  “Winners never cheat and cheaters never win” ~ Jon M. Huntsman Sr.

 

Classroom Procedures & Expectations

Entering Classroom

1.     Enter through designated door & sit at your assigned student desk/computer. 

2.     Read board & be ready when class starts.

Questions/Help

1.     Always read instructions before asking for help.

2.     Ask your neighbor if the teacher is with another student

3.     When using Microsoft Teams (virtual) use the raise hand option or chat your question.

Equipment

*All computers are the property of UCPS; therefore, you are expected to use proper care.

1.     Use only the equipment assigned to you.

2.     Leave computer settings alone, they are not to be changed.

3.     Handle equipment with extreme care, you may be held responsible for repairs.

4.     Check your computer at the beginning of class and let me know immediately if something is missing or not working.

5.     Intentionally damaging or causing disruptions with equipment will result in disciplinary actions. 

Supplies

Earbuds/headphones for class.  I do have sets that can be used.  You will be responsible for checking those out & returning them.

Talking

1.     Please have respect for teacher or person presenting & do not talk.  You have a few minutes at the beginning & end of class for personal conversations.   

Leaving the Classroom

1.     COVID-19:  This is limited to emergencies only!!! You need to obtain teacher permission to leave, teacher will sign you out.

2.     NON-COVID-19:  Get permission from the teacher before leaving the classroom.

3.     Sign out on the clipboard AND take a hall pass when you leave the classroom.

Cheating

1.     Students cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment(s) with no option to redo.  Parents will be contacted and will result in an office referral (if cheating on test or exam).

Missed Work

1.     Each student is responsible for getting missed assignments when absent.

2.     Missed assignments must be made up within 2 school days.

3.     Missed tests/quizzes must be rescheduled within 2 school days.

4.     Daily assignments are posted on the class Canvas page and in the classroom.

5.     Please communicate with teacher for any extensions needed.

End of Class

1.     You may logout during the last 2 minutes of class or when instructed, not earlier.

2.     Remain at your desk until the bell rings. Remember I dismiss you, not the bell.

3.     Please use designated door to leave classroom.

Fire Drills, Tornado Drills, Lockdowns

1.     Follow the teacher’s instructions and take all safety drills seriously.

2.     Fire drill - exit to the front of the school, follow the sidewalk to the right and go to the far side of teacher parking lot and remain with your class.

3.     Tornado drill – kneel down facing the wall in the hallway just outside the classroom.

4.     Lockdown – sit in the front of the classroom and remain completely silent.  If you sit near a window, please close blinds.

CANVAS Classroom Online-Learning Platform & Resources

1.     Warm-ups, assignments, quizzes and uploading files will be done through Canvas:

https://ucps.instructure.com/courses/193804

2.     Check due dates. It is the responsibility of each student to submit work on time.

3.     Canvas logs every student submission with a date and time.

4.     Grades in canvas reflect only the specific assignment grade and are NOT the teacher’s gradebook. Check the Parent Portal on PowerSchool for student’s true grade for each course.

5.     Link to Student Guide for Canvas questions: https://guides.instructure.com/m/4212 

6.     Link to EmpowerEd Family Portal:  https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/page/6333

7.     Students will use the Rhunestone Academy for this course, which is online. 

This link: https://runestone.academy/runestone/default/user/login is accessible from the classroom Canvas page. Quizzes and Chapter TESTS will be on Canvas.

 

Course Timeline

UNIT TIME
1     Getting Started and Primitive Types 4-5 days
2     Using Objects 7-8 days
3     Boolean Expressions and If Statements 5-6 days
4     Iteration (Loops) 7-8 days
5     Writing Classes 6-7 days
6     Arrays 3-4 days
7     ArrayList 5-6 days
8     2D Arrays 5-6 days
9     Inheritance 7-8 days
10   Recursion 2-3 days
11    Post Test 1 day
12    Exam Prep 4-5 days

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due