CODE CREATIVE
SYLLABUS
An overview of the APCS course
Mr. Lee
Course Description
The purpose of this class is to build upon the foundation laid down by the “Intro to Coding” course. Students will deepen their understanding of the object-oriented programming paradigm using the Java language. Key concepts including, but not limited to, classes, objects, inheritance, abstract classes, interfaces, polymorphism, and code reusability will be gone over. Each student will spend a significant amount of instructional time completing laboratory work that will help solidify each concept. Students will also complete several larger scale programming projects which will implement the different aspects of Java as outlined on the course description found on the College Board website.

A secondary purpose of this class is to prepare students to score well on the AP Computer Science exam and a significant amount of instructional time will be used to review released multiple choice and free response questions. Students will become familiar with the structure of the grading rubrics used by the AP Readers when scoring the exam which will ensure that they write their blocks of code meticulously in the absence of a compiler. Students will be subjected to days spent testing sample questions and peer grading each other’s work. It is a goal of the class that every student feels prepared and confident enough to register for the AP Computer Science exam which will be administered on May 3rd.
Course Objectives
Students will...

  1. further develop their understanding of the concept of a class and an object.
  2. develop an understanding of how objects model real world objects.
  3. implement inheritance to construct an object inheritance hierarchy.
  4. implement polymorphism to process collections of objects.
  5. develop an understanding of algorithms and algorithmic processing.
  6. study and extend the AP Labs (Magpie, Picture, and Elevens).
  7. design and implement a long-term programming projects and formally present the project.
Textbooks
  • Blue Pelican – Charles Cook
  • Barron’s AP Computer Science A – Roselyn Teukolsky
Online Tools
Grading Scale
Academic grades are determined by percentage of points earned out of total points possible. A standard grading scale is used:
  • 90% - A
  • 80% - B
  • 70% - C
  • 60% - D
Earning less than 60% of possible points will result in the grade of F. Points are accumulated through the following activities:
  • Projects (20%)
  • Classwork/Homework (22%)
  • Quizzes (10%)
  • Tests (40%)
  • Participation (8%)
Classwork/Homework
Classwork and Homework will be turned and graded every Monday. Classwork will consist of the projects found on the “Projects” page. Homework will consist of assigned reading and projects from the textbook “Blue Pelican”. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in homework assignments if they miss a class due to illness or other approved absence. The due dates for class assignments will not be flexible unless there is an extreme circumstance. 
Quizzes
Quizzes will be administered during the first 30 minutes of every Friday. Quizzes will be based on the topics gone over in the "Classwork/Homework" and "Projects". Students will receive their grade for each quiz before Monday.

Students can make-up up to 50% of their missing points by turning in the Quiz Correction Form. The form must be completed, printed out, and turned in by Wednesday for consideration. 

Participation
The Participation grade will be based on the number of breaches of the following general guidelines:
  • Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, your teacher and your school.
  • Engage the textbook, activities and projects.
  • Ask the Teacher questions when they arise.
  • Be in your seat and on task when the bell rings.
  • No food or gum in the classroom. You may bring a bottle of water.
  • All school policies as listed in the Titan Guide will be followed.
Every student deserves the opportunity to be in an environment that is conducive to learning. The guidelines listed above were designed to help ensure a positive learning environment in the classroom and will be enforced to promote a healthy learning environment for all students. That being said, two weeks of school will pass without any consequences for breaches in behavior as the class becomes accustom to my specific classroom rules and behavioral expectations. 
Behavioral Consequences
Any breaches of behavior will be noted in PowerSchool and every two instances will result in a lowered Citizenship grade. For every instance, one's Semester grade will be lowered a percentage point. After 4 instances in a semester, a call home will be made. After 8 instances in a semester, a meeting with a parent and administrator will be made.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones must be silenced and stored in a backpack or bag before entering the classroom. If a cell phone is audible or visible for any reason without permission, it will be taken away and handed over to the AP in charge of behavior. Your citizenship grade will be lowered each time your phone is audible or visible in class. If a cell phone is visible during a quiz, it will be considered cheating.
Contact Information
Students and parents with questions or concerns should not hesitate to schedule an appointment. Students may also come in for help most days during lunch. Email is the most efficient way for parents to contact me.
  • Email: dlee at smusd.us
  • Phone: 626-299-7020
  • Fax: 626-299-7023