The curriculum includes coding exercises and practice on the Skill Struck platform interspersed with classroom collaboration activities, discussion points, supplemental materials, and unplugged activities. This course walks students through the basics of coding alongside other topics. This integrated approach keeps lessons diverse and students engaged. Students work individually and as teams to build innovative and competitive coding solutions. This course covers the Python concepts necessary to prepare students to take the IT Certification Course. The lesson plans for this course are full lesson plans with activities and instructions for teachers. The additional teacher resources are activities and tools to help the teacher including student platform lessons, activities, slideshows, handouts, etc.
PCA.1 History of Computers & Python Introduction
Students explore the history of computer science and are introduced to the Python language.
History of Computers Timeline
2-IC-20, 3B-IC-25, 3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-26, 3A-IC-24
PCA.2 Computer Hardware & Variables
Students explore the history of computer science and are introduced to the Python language.
3B-CS-02, 3B-CS-01, 3A-CS-01, 2-CS-03, 2-CS-02, 3A-CS-02
Students explore what makes up an input and what makes an output. They practice adding input statments into their code.
3B-AP-24, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13, 2-AP-11
PCA.4 Inputs/Outputs Hands On
Students will participate in a spectrum activity to conceptualize inputs and outputs. They will create artistic representations of inputs and outputs.
Inputs and Outputs Spectrum
PCA.5 Digital Citizenship & Python Comments
Students review inputs/outputs and use a creative activity to demonstrate how the inputs and outputs can vary. They learn about the different variable types available in Python.
3B-CS-02, 2-CS-03, 2-CS-02, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.6 Digital Citizenship Poster & Variable Types
Students will analyze how technology affects the way people treat each other. They will learn to create and use variable types in Python.
2-NI-05, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-IC-26, 3B-IC-25, 3B-IC-27
PCA.7 How the Internet Works & Numbers
Students discover how the internet works and learn about the different parts that make up a network. They learn how to use numbers in the Python language.
3A-AP-17, 2-NI-04, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.8 Internet Packets & Converting
Students learn how internet packets work and how data gets transferred across the internet. They learn how to convert between data types in their code.
2-NI-04, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.9 Internet Topologies & Python Concatenation
Students learn about different internet topologies and the pros and cons of each. They learn how to concatenate strings together in Python.
3A-NI-04, 3B-NI-03, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.10 Digital Safety & Python Math
Students explore different strategies to safe in a digital environment. They explore options that Python provides in math.
3B-AP-18, 3B-NI-04, 3A-NI-08, 3A-NI-07, 3A-NI-06, 3A-NI-05, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.11 Computers and Your World & Modulus
Students discuss how technology affects the world around them and how computer innovations affect various aspects of their lives. They learn how the modulus works.
3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-26, 3B-IC-25, 3A-IC-28, 3B-IC-28, 3A-AP-20, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20
PCA.12 Computer Boundaries & Strings
Students examine how technology affects their mental health and discuss possible boundaries they might want to implement in their lives. They learn more about Python strings.
2-IC-20, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-11, 3A-IC-24, 3B-IC-26, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.13 Digital Footprint & String Methods
Students learn what a digital footprint is and explore how permanent information on the internet really is. They learn about various methods to manipulate strings in Python.
2-AP-11, 2-IC-20, 3B-IC-26, 3B-IC-25, 3A-IC-24, 2-AP-17, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.14 Communication Styles & String Methods Continued
Students discuss different ways that people and computers communicate. They explore further methods available in Python for strings.
3A-IC-26, 2-IC-20, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-11, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.15 Problem Solving & Checking Strings
Students explore different strategies for effective and creative problem solving. They learn how to check strings for information.
3B-NI-04, 3B-AP-18, 3A-NI-08, 3A-NI-07, 3A-NI-06, 3A-NI-05, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-11, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.16 Minefield & Concatenating Numbers
Students practice creative problem solving as they work together to make it through an unplugged minefield activity. They learn how to use concatenation for numbers in Python.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
PCA.17 Problem Solver Skits & Concatenating Numbers Continued
Students exercise further problem solving skills as they work together in teams to create skits to perform for the class. They learn more approaches to concatenating with numbers in Python.
Concatenating Numbers Continued
2-AP-17, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-11, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.18 Break Down Big Projects & Lists
Student learn some strategies for taking large projects and breaking them down into more manageable tasks. They learn how to create lists in Python
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
PCA.19 Party Planner & Python If Statements
Students practice breaking down a big project (planning a party) into smaller, more manageable tasks. They learn how to add an If statement to their Python code.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 3A-NI-05, 3A-AP-15
Students will build flow charts to visualize different algorithms.
2-AP-10, 2-AP-11, 3A-AP-13 , 3A-AP-16 , 3A-AP-17 , 3A-AP-18 , 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11 , 3B-AP-14 , 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22 , 3A-AP-15
PCA.21 Social Media Debate & Python Conditionals
Students explore the role and effect social media has in their life. They discuss ways to mitigate the effects of social media. They learn how to add conditionals to their Python code.
2-IC-20, 3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-26, 3B-IC-25, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-11, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.22 Family Vacation Planning
Students will practice their problem solving tips and tricks as they work through the curveballs that come from planning a family vacation. They will build a simple calculator with Python.
Python Project: Simple Calculator
2-AP-11, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20
PCA.23 Careers in Computing & Python Else If Statements
Students discover different careers in computer science and examine how they feel about various career paths. They learn how to add else if statements to their Python code.
Python Else If Statements
3A-AP-17, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.24 Further Career Exploration & Python For Loops
Students dive further into different careers and contemlate the possibilities of their own life paths. They learn to add for loops into their Python code.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-12, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20, 3B-AP-13
PCA.25 Technology Shifts & Python Project
Students analyze how technology advances affect the world around them, from job opportunities to social structures.
2-AP-16, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
PCA.26 Artificial Intelligence & If Statement in a For Loop
Students analyze the role of machine learning and artificial intelligence in modern society. They debate the ethics of striving for true AI. They learn to add an if statement into their for loops in Python.
If Statement in a For Loop
3B-AP-08, 3B-AP-16, 3B-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-12, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20
Students will practice creating a machine learning program.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-IC-20, 2-AP-17
Students explore the binary numbering system and create messages using binary.
3A-DA-09, 2-DA-07, 2-NI-06
Students will explore how to gather information from a population through market research. They will learn to use Google Forms to conduct their own market research.
Market Research Demonstration
Do Your Own Market Research
2-DA-08, 2-AP-15, 2-IC-22
Students will analyze different approaches to storing data and ways to optimize memory space.
Data Storage Presentation
2-DA-07, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
PCA.31 Both Way Communication Exercise & Accessing Items in a List
Students explore different methods of communication through an unplugged activity. They learn how to access items within a list in Python.
Accessing Items in a List
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20
PCA.32 Social Media Advice Panel & Using Integers from a List
Students discuss different strategies for using social media in a healthy, constructive way. They learn to use integers that are inside a list in Python.
Using Integers from a list.
3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-25, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-IC-24, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-19
PCA.33 Digital Accessibility & Adding to Lists
Students examine how to make technology accessible to people of all ability levels. They learn to add items to a list in Python.
2-IC-21, 2-IC-20, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-11, 2-CS-01, 3A-IC-25, 3A-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-10, 3A-AP-18, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-13
PCA.34 Self Driving Car Pitch & Removing from Lists
Students debate on the ethics of creating self driving cars. They learn how to remove from lists in Python.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-CS-01, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-20, 2-IC-21
PCA.35 Digital Equity & Lists Continued
Students examine issues that happen in access technology and the Digital Divide. They learn further concepts about Python lists.
3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-21, 3A-IC-25, 2-CS-01, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-21, 2-IC-20, 3B-IC-27, 3B-IC-26, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17
PCA.36 Troubleshooting Techniques & Python While Loops
Students learn the basics of troubleshooting various computer problems. They learn how to add while loops to their Python code.
3A-CS-03, 3A-AP-14, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-CS-03, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 3B-AP-13
PCA.37 Troubleshooting Scenarios & Python Functions
Students practice troubleshooting techniques in different posed scenarios. They learn to add functions to their Python code.
3B-AP-12, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-CS-03, 2-CS-03, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 3A-AP-15
PCA.38 Debugging Strategies & Python Function Parameters
Students learn some strategies for debugging their code faster and with less frustration. They learn to add parameters to their Python functions.
Python Function Parameters
2-CS-03, 3B-AP-12, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-15, 3A-CS-03, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
PCA.39 Cryptography & Multiple Parameters in Python Functions
Students explore how binary code works and how different characters are represented using only 0's and 1's. They learn to add multiple paramters in their Python functions.
Multiple Parameters in Python Functions
3A-DA-09, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-15, 2-DA-07, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
Students will practice decoding an encrypted message through the pig pen cipher approach. They will practice Python conditionals challenges.
Python Conditionals Challenges
2-DA-07, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-NI-06
PCA.41 Data Structures & Python Random
Students explore different ways that data is organized into specific structures in programming. They learn how to access random in their Python code.
3B-AP-14, 3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3A-DA-10, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 2-DA-07, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17
Students will discover what kinds of personal data they generate every day and assess how they feel about big companies using that data.
Unseen Market Research Presentation
Python For Loops Challenges
2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-IC-23
PCA.43 Team Project Kickoff
Students form teams and make a plan for a collaborative team project. Instructions and expectations are given for each team member and the project.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-14, 3A-AP-15, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-17, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-22, 3A-IC-27, 3B-AP-20, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-15, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-18
PCA.44 Ice Fishing Team Building
Teams get to know each other and discover how to leveredge their strengths through an unplugged challenge. They have time to collaborate on their project.
3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-22, 3A-IC-27, 3B-AP-17, 3B-AP-20, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-18, 3A-AP-13
Teams have this time to really dive into building out their code project. They work together to solve their problems, bugs, or questions.
3A-AP-13, 3A-AP-16, 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-18, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11, 3B-AP-14, 3B-AP-19, 3B-AP-21, 3B-AP-22, 3A-AP-22, 3A-IC-27, 3B-AP-17, 3B-AP-20, 3B-AP-23, 3A-AP-19, 2-AP-11, 2-AP-13, 2-AP-15, 2-AP-17, 2-AP-18
PCA.46 Team Project Presentations
Teams have this opportunity to show off their projects they created together in presentations for the class.
Students will review various Python concepts they learned in the course. They will reflect on all the concepts they have learned in the course.
Concept Review Demonstration
How Much Have You Learned Activity
Students review the course and discuss why learning computer science is important for them now and in the future.
Python Coding Apprentice Certification In this course, students will complete challenges that help solidify concepts as they use skills in a variety of ways. In order to complete tasks, students will creatively apply what they've learned by using different approaches to reach a goal. This experience closely follows challenges they would face in a technical interview, allowing them to practice.
Projects in this course include: Find the Tens Place, Remove String Section, Leap Year, Factorial, Halloween Candy Count
