AP Computer Science Principles

Mrs. Fuller
Room: C107
E-mail: [email protected]

Assistance Opportunities:

● I am available for help during class, 2nd Period in C116 and after school by appointment.

Course Objectives

This course introduces you to the essential ideas of computer science with a focus on how computing can
impact the world. Along with the fundamentals of computing, you will learn to analyze data, information,
or knowledge represented for computational use, create technology that has a practical impact, and gain a
broader understanding of how computer science impacts people and society. I encourage students to
actively participate, ask questions, engage in thoughtful discussions, work collaboratively, be open to
new challenges, and take risks.

The major areas of this course are organized around five big ideas, which are essential to studying
computer science as well as learning how to program in Python. The five big ideas include:

● Creative Development: You’ll learn how important collaboration is in developing programs and how
to use an iterative process in your work. (10 -13% of exam score)

● Data: You’ll explore how computers handle data and how data can be used to produce new
information and solve problems. (17%−22% of exam score)

● Algorithms and Programming in Python: You’ll learn how to use algorithms and abstractions to
create programs that solve problems or to express your own creativity. (30%−35% of exam score)

● Computer Systems and Networks: You’ll explore how computer systems and networks work and
how using multiple computers to divide tasks can speed up processes. (11%−15% of exam score)

● Impact of Computing: You’ll examine the effects computing has had on societies, economies, and
cultures and consider the legal and ethical responsibilities of programmers. (21%−26% of exam score)

The Exam
The exam consists of two parts:
1. The Create Task: 30% of the Score

For this part of the exam, you’ll develop a computer program of your choice: one that solves a problem,
enables an innovation, or helps you express personal interests. You’ll be given a minimum of 12 hours of in-
class time to complete the task. You’ll submit these items through the AP Digital Portfolio application for
scoring:

● A video of your program running

● Individual written responses about your program and development process ● Program code

2. End of Course Multiple-Choice Exam: 70% of the Score

For this part of the exam, it is a 2-hour, 70 multiple choice questions with 4 answer options, related to the five
big ideas of the course. This exam is a paper-and-pencil written exam. It contains three types of multiple-
choice questions:

● Single-select multiple-choice: You select 1 answer from 4 options

● Single-select with reading passage about a computing innovation: You select 1 answer from 4
options.
● Multiple-select multiple-choice: You select 2 answers from 4 options

Class Expectations and Policies:

• Communication: Please allow 24 hours for an email response. If a parent is requesting a meeting,
both the parent and student must be present to allow for clear communication between all parties. I am
available for meetings prior to school (as early as 7:00am) or after school (2:45pm).
If there are classroom or grade concerns, I should first be contacted by the student, either via email or
in-person, after which, parents will receive communication regarding the solution.

• PUT THAT TECH AWAY: Make sure that all tech (phones, air pods, etc) are put away until teacher
gives you to approval to turn on your devices. Per the Student Handbook, a Personal Communication
Device or cell phone is viewed as "a privilege that may be forfeited by any student." Per school policy,
electronic devices should only be used with teacher approval.

● BE PROMPT & PRESENT: Students are expected to be in class on time; ready to work prior to the
tardy bell. We usually work until the dismissal bell rings. Please remain in your seat until the dismissal
bell rings. NO LINING UP AT THE DOOR.

● ATTENDENCE: It is the student’s responsibility to check Schoology, and to obtain and complete
missed work. If you are absent on the day of an assessment, an alternative assessment will be given. It
is important that you are in class daily as the course will move quickly. It is your responsibility to
check Schoology for notes/assignments for the day(s) you missed. It is your responsibility to ASK ME
to help you reschedule quizzes or tests. I will do my best to update Schoology in a timely manner and
you should check it frequently.

● Hall Passes: Hall passes will not be accessible during assessments, nor the first or last 10 minutes of
class (unless emergency). Please use the restroom between classes. Sign-out sheet is located by the
classroom door.

● BE RESPECTFUL: Behave respectfully and appropriately in your words and actions. Please think
before you speak and make every effort to be considerate of the feelings and opinions of
others. Students should be respectful to their peers and communicate in an appropriate manner for the
classroom setting. In addition, students are to make responsible decisions and behave in accordance
 with the classroom and school rules (see handbook). Adhere to the DJHS Student Handbook Cheating
and Plagiarism Code; this will be strictly enforced. Work Hard, Stay Positive, Give Grace!!!

● BE RESPONSIBLE: You are responsible for your own learning. Develop the communication,
collaboration, organization, listening and thinking skills that you need for the rest of your life. This
class follows all policies of the student handbook. Ask questions! If you need help, we can schedule a
help session.

• HOMEWORK: You should also expect to have a nightly 15-30 minutes homework load; there will
be outside of class work related to the topic that was covered in class. You are responsible to complete
Coding Room textbook assignments outside of class. These are to reinforce concepts as well as
programming skills.

• GRADING: A student’s grade is calculated using total points. It may include tests, projects, essays,
in-class coding problems, problem of the day, mini quizzes, announced and unannounced quizzes, and
other standard and alternative assessments. Homework will be collected and checked randomly;
complete it before you arrive to class. Students should always complete their work for this course
according to set deadlines.

• LATE WORK POLICY: Work is expected to be turned in on time. Late work will be accepted, but
the work will be penalized 20% points. Late work will only be accepted during the unit of study and
prior to any corresponding assessment: formative or summative. Regarding EXCUSED absences, you
have an equal number of days to make up work as days you were absent unless it is a long-term
assignment that had been previously assigned (project, paper, presentation, etc). Late work is
considered anything that is not turned in at the beginning of the period on the day it is due.
Technological difficulties (printer broke, computer crashed, etc.) will not be considered valid excuses
for work not turned in on time. Remember that it is your responsibility to advocate for yourself and
arrange make-up tests, quizzes, etc. Additionally, should you have a prearranged absence, the
classwork/quizzes/tests you would miss MUST be completed BEFORE you leave.

• Please note that because some grades maybe curved throughout the year, I do not provide grade
bumps.

• A weekly course syllabus will be posted to Schoology. Students are encouraged to follow the
schedule; however, schedules are always tentative: assignments & due dates are subject to change. We
reserve the right to change and modify the schedule to best meet the needs of the students. Pay
attention during class and check school email or Schoology for such announcements.

• ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: While collaboration is highly encouraged with your peers, do so in an

ethical and academic way. Misconduct for the course includes the following and will result in
disciplinary action:
▪ Sharing or copying files, code or solutions for any assignment. Please note: changing
comments and variable names is not considered different code. This includes typing on
someone else's computer.
▪ Dialoguing with other students about problems on quizzes/tests.
▪ Directly copying code found online
Class Agenda:

Monday: Townhall Meeting which will set up the syllabus for the week. The syllabus will be located in
Schoology
Thursday: Assessment/Conference Day -> You will take a small formal self-assessment that will allow you
and me to understand your progress as well as helping you master areas that need improvement.

Daily Class Schedule:

o Opening -> Aunt Joke of the Day -> Problem of the day, which leads into the mini-lesson
o Mini-Lesson -> roughly 15 minutes- I usually record lectures/discussions. I will post these to
Schoology.
o Work Session
o Catch and Release of what went well and what you still don’t understand

Extra-Help:

Effectively learning Python requires you to pay attention, have patience, accurately complete and check work
in a timely fashion, communicate with others, and participate. To help you succeed, you may email-me or
arrange to see me virtually when I am available. You can stop by my C116 Study Hall 2nd period study hall or
make an appointment after school, just email me! Please remember I also need to other things during those
free times such as have meetings and prepare for class. Also, seek help from classmates or consult reference
websites. However, you MUST always document your sources that you have consulted, and the code should
be in your own words. NEVER COPIED!
Tools for Success:

● Schoology:
o Your Google digital notebook, presentations and all online materials will be housed in
Schoology by week. Assignments and grades will be posted on a regular basis for students and
parents to access. I updated grades and posted next week’s assignments on Fridays by 5 pm at
the latest. Schoology is the best way to monitor your progress throughout the year.

● CodingBat:
o It is a free site of live coding problems to build coding skills in Java and Python. CodingBat is a
project by Nick Parlante, a computer science lecturer at Stanford.
o Going through many practice problems is a great way to solidify your understanding of how the
code should work. CodingBat problems work great as homework, or for self-study practice, or
in a lab, or as live lecture examples. The CodingBat problems are designed to have low
overhead: short problem statements (like an exam), nothing to install, immediate feedback in
the browser, and there's lots of them to build up those skills. The idea for CodingBat came from
my experience teaching CS at Stanford combined with seeing how student's used unit-tests in
more advanced courses, and crystalized when I saw an Owen Astrachan demo of a unit-testing
thing he uses with his Duke students.

● JuiceMind: JuiceMind Teams: A web-based IDE that speeds grading time and allows for
advanced student analytics! This platform serves as a replacement for Replit and Coding
Rooms.

● Textbooks: Coding Rooms has a built-in textbook that we will be using online. There are
interactive quizzes and videos to help you practice what we learned in class. There are AP CSP
review textbooks for the exam as well as an AP Classroom with additional questions and assignments.
We will spend a class period learning how to navigate AP Classroom as well as Coding Rooms. It can
be challenging. I also recommend the following textbooks:
Conclusion:
Once again, I would like to welcome you to AP Computer Science Principles!
I am sure that we will have a successful year! I have the highest
expectations for all of you and look forward to working with you.

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I have read, understand, and accept all of the policies and guidelines outlined in this course description. I also
understand that if I do not complete the course work, do very poor work, or disrupt the class, I may not pass
the course.

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Student Name and Signature Date

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Parent Name and Signature Date

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Parent email