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AP Computer Science Principles

Of all the AP courses, Computer Science Principles stands out as one of the most accessible and project oriented courses. You will learn to design and build artifacts using computing practices while seeing the impact such practices have on our world. These practices will be guided by the big ideas foundational to Computer Science.
    Big Ideas
  • Creativity
  • Abstraction
  • Data & Information
  • Algorithms
  • Programming
  • The Internet
  • Global Impact
    Computing Practices
  • Connecting Computing
  • Creating Computational Artifacts
  • Abstracting
  • Analyzing Problems & Artifacts
  • Communicating
  • Collaborating

Like any AP course, we will cover lots of information in a short amount of time. Due to the sheer amount of material covered we will use an inverted classroom approach. The homework will usually include introductions to topics we will cover in the next class. The following day we will discuss the topics, answer any questions then practice applying the concepts. In addition to any homework problems you will be required to write a summary, define keywords, and come up with 3 questions on the new topic.


College Board Endorsed Syllabus
JFK Syllabus

AP Exam

The AP Exam will consist of 2 components: the Performance Tasks and the End-of-Course Exam. The End-of-Course Exam will be like a typical AP exam with about 74 multiple choice questions for 60% of the score. The Performance tasks will be split into two components: Explore the Impact of Computing Innovations (16%) and Create Applications from Ideas (24%). Both of these will involve creating an artifact using computers and answering various questions about such artifacts. More details about the AP exam can be found in the documents below.

AP CSP Assessment Overview for Students
Performance Task: Explore Computing Innovations
Performance Task: Create Applications from Ideas

Week 1

Syllabus, What is Computing Innovation, What is Computer Science?

Notes/Info Homework: Watch the videos below and write a response to the following prompt, How can different number bases be useful? (Due 22 Aug.)

Extra
  • This link is an interactive map of computer science topics from over 2 million publications.
  • Maps of Computer Science explains how it works and was created/designed.

Number Bases

Notes/Info: Video playlist by Khan Academy on how to change number bases you can use for review.

Homework: Watch the videos below on file types and formats and write a brief summary of each.

Extra:

Week 2

Bits, Bytes, and File Systems

Notes/Info Homework:
  • Select an article from the Magazines & Reports section on the links tab and write a brief summary (at least 6 sentences or more) on it. Due at the end of the week.
  • File Formats assignment
Extra:

The Internet is for Everyone

Notes/Info Homework: Write a brief summary on each video and come up with at least 2 questions (per video) you want to ask/discuss. Due Thursday 5 Sept. Extra

Week 3

What is the Internet & How Routers Learn

Notes/Info Homework: Write a brief summary on each video. Select an article from the links section and also write a brief summary.

Week 4

HTTP & Communication Protocols

Assignment Notes/Info Homework: Write a brief summary on each video. Select an article from the links section and also write a brief summary. Due 23 Sept. (12th grade) or 24 Sept. (11th grade). Extra

History of Computing

Notes/Info Extra

Programming Languages #1

Assignments

Week 5

Programming Languages #2

Notes/Info Homework: Read another article, watch the videos below and write a summary for each.

Programming Assignments

Assignments: You will complete these at your own pace. Drop them in a folder shared with me. Challenges & Projects

Exam 31 October

Exam Study Guide


Quizzes
Quiz1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Quiz 6

Homework: Complete the following each week. They will be due on Monday (12th grade) or Tuesday (11th grade)
  • Select an article and write a summary. This time you will need to focus on the following:
  • It should include a computing innovation i.e it includes a computer or program code as an integral part of its functionality.
  • The computing innovation must consume, store, process, and output data.
  • Define what the innovation is, how it works, the pros/cons, and how the effects influence economy/society/culture.
  • Select at least 3 problems from CodingBat Python. You can work on more to reduce the number of problems you have to work on for the following week. Submit a screen-shot of the solved problem along with the code in a text or python file.
Khan Academy AP Computer Science Principles
  • Khan Academy offers an excellent overview of the topics in the AP Computer Science Principles exam. Useful for extra practice and review.

Week 6

Pair Programming

Pair Programming Assignment

Sorting Algorithms

Sorting Algorithms Assignment

Homework: Watch the videos below and write a summary for each.

AP Practice

AP Prep

Practice Questions

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