AP CSP - Python with CodeX
AP CSP: Python with CodeX
A drop-in AP Computer Science Principles course for high school. Students learn Python by programming the CodeX handheld and prepare for the Create Performance Task.
About this Digital Textbook
AP CSP: Python with CodeX is a drop-in course that teaches high school students programming with Python and prepares them for the AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task. Across three units, students build their skills with the CodeX, then move into Create PT Prep and begin their own project.
Each unit is broken into short lessons and missions with classroom-ready lesson plans, assignments, vocabulary, and review questions. Additional lessons and missions are available for extra practice.
Unit 1: Missions 1-5
Students complete Python with CodeX Missions 1-5 and write their first programs for the CodeX. Additional lessons cover defining functions and working with RGB colors. The unit ends with review, a remix project, and a unit exam.
Missions in this Unit
- Mission 1 & 2: Students will get started in CodeSpace and complete Missions 1 and 2.
- Mission 3: Students will complete Mission 3 and write the Pixels1 program.
- Defining Functions: Students will learn to define functions and update their Pixels1 code in the Pixels1_functions program.
- RGB Colors: Students will work with RGB colors and write the Pixels1_RGB program.
- Mission 4 Obj 1-7: Students will build the Display program through Objective 7.
- Mission 4 Obj 8-10 & Functions: Students will finish the Display program through Objective 10 and add functions in the Display_functions program.
- Mission 5: Students will complete Mission 5 and write the Music1 program.
- Unit 1 Remix & Assessment: Students will apply skills from Missions 1-5 in an original CodeX remix project, and demonstrate mastery through the Unit 1 Assessment (review questions and rubrics).
Unit 2: Missions 6-8
The unit starts with two lessons on the design process and flowcharts. Students then complete Missions 6-8, with additional lessons on working with lists and using uploaded JPG images. The unit ends with review, a remix project, and a unit exam.
Missions in this Unit
- Design Process and Flowcharts: Students will learn the design process and the flowchart shapes used to plan a program.
- From Code to Flowcharts: Students will practice turning code into flowcharts.
- Mission 6 Obj 1-7: Students will begin the Heart2_functions program.
- Mission 6 Obj 8-11: Students will finish the Heart2_functions program.
- Mission 7 Obj 1-6: Students will build the Billboard program through Objective 6.
- Mission 7 Obj 7-9: Students will finish the Billboard program and write Billboard_functions.
- Lists Lesson 1: Students will learn about lists and trace list code in groups.
- Lists Lesson 2: Students will keep working with lists and trace more list code in groups.
- Mission 8: Students will complete Mission 8 and write the Answer_Bot program.
- Lists with JPG Images (optional): Students will use lists with uploaded JPG images in the Picture_Bot program.
- Unit 2 Remix & Assessment: Students will apply skills from Missions 6-8 in an original CodeX remix project, and demonstrate mastery through the Unit 2 Assessment (review questions and rubrics).
Unit 3: Mission 9
The unit starts with a lesson on the types of division. Students complete Mission 9, with additional lessons on functions with parameters and traversing a list. The unit ends with review and a unit exam.
Missions in this Unit
- Types of Division: Students will learn the types of division and write the Billboard_modulo program.
- Mission 9: Students will complete Mission 9 and write the Game_Spinner program.
- Functions with Parameters Lesson 1: Students will add parameters to functions in the Pixels1_parameters and Billboard_parameters programs.
- Functions with Parameters Lesson 2: Students will keep practicing parameters in the Answer_Bot, Heart2, and Display programs.
- Traversing a List Lesson 1: Students will traverse lists in the Answer_Bot, Billboard, and Game_Spinner programs.
- Traversing a List Lesson 2: Students will keep traversing lists in the Answer_Bot and Pixels1 programs.
- Traversing a List Lesson 3: Students will apply list traversal in the Class_Schedule, Number_Sorter, and Animal_Sorter programs.
- Unit 3 Assessment: Students will demonstrate mastery of Mission 9 and the supplemental lessons through the Unit 3 Assessment (review questions and rubrics).
Create PT Prep
After Unit 3, students are ready for the Create PT project. The unit gives students four practice Create PT programs to work through, plus lessons on functions, global variables, creating a PDF and video, collecting images for code segments, and selecting a project. During the unit, students complete their Create Performance Task.
Lessons in this Unit
- PT Practice Lesson 1: Students will work through the PT_Practice1 program.
- PT Practice Lesson 2: Students will work through the PT_Practice2 program.
- PT Practice Lesson 3: Students will work through the PT_Practice3 program.
- PT Practice Lesson 4: Students will work through the PT_Practice4 program.
- Functions and Global Variables: Students will learn about functions and global variables in the PT_Practice2_results program.
- Create PT Code PDF and Video Practice: Students will practice creating a PDF of their code and a video of their program.
- Create PT PPR Code Segment Practice: Students will practice saving images of the code segments needed for the written responses.
- Selecting a Project: Students will choose a project for their Create PT.
- The Create PT Project: Students will build their Create PT program, then upload the PDF, video, and PPR images to their digital portfolio.
Additional Lessons
Unplugged lessons that give extra preparation for the AP Multiple Choice Exam. They can be given in any order, before or after the Create PT.
Lessons
- Algorithms Lesson 1: Students will work with algorithms using robot code, including a flowchart of the Mission 4 program.
- Algorithms Lesson 2: Students will get more practice with algorithms using robot code.
- Algorithms Lesson 3: Students will get more practice with algorithms using robot code.
- Binary Numbers: Students will learn about binary numbers in an unplugged lesson.
- Binary Numbers Applications: Students will explore how binary numbers are used.
- From Flowcharts to Code: Students will turn flowcharts into Python code.
- Create PT Prep - Writing Prompts: Lesson coming soon!
Additional CodeX Missions
These missions are not required for the Create PT. They add more Python skills with the CodeX and can be completed any time after Mission 9.
Missions
- Mission 10: Reaction Tester: Students will use the internal clock and write the Reaction_Time program.
- Mission 11: Spirit Level: Students will use the accelerometer and write the Spirit_Level program.
- Mission 12: Night Light: Students will use the built-in light sensor and write the NightLight program.
- Mission 13: Sounds Fun: Students will create a user interface and sound effects in the Race_Control program.
- Mission 14: Line Art: Students will use math to draw line art in the Line_Art program.
- Mission 15: Handball: Students will build the first of a two-part program.
- Mission 16: Break Out: Students will build an iconic arcade game.
- Final Project & Assessment: Students will complete a final project and demonstrate mastery through the final assessment.