Mrs. W. Smiley 2017-2018 Exploring Computer Science Syllabus Contact Information: Mrs. Smiley s Webpage: http://www.parkcrossing.mps-al.org/about_our_school/school_staff (enter my name & click on Search when page comes up) Google Voice: 334-603-1280 Email Address: wanda.smiley@mps.k12.al.us
Goals Exploring Computer Science (ECS) is designed to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. Rather than focusing the entire course on learning particular software tools or programming languages, the course is designed to focus on the conceptual ideas of computing and help students understand why certain tools or languages might be utilized to solve particular problems. The goal of Exploring Computer Science is to develop in students the computational practices of algorithm development, problem solving and programming within the context of problems that are relevant to the lives of today s students. Students will also be introduced to topics such as interface design, limits of computers, and societal and ethical issues. Course Description
Standards The Exploring Computer Science curriculum was developed around a framework of both computer science content and computational practice. This combination of both content and practices provides students with a sense of what computer scientists do. ECS has been mapped onto leading learning standards nationwide. These mapping documents can be found on the SRI International website here: http://pact.sri.com/ Prerequisites It is recommended that students have completed an Algebra course prior to enrolling. ECS is designed to be a college preparatory high school course and thus, should provide a rigorous, but accessible, introduction to computer science. No previous computer science experience is required. Hardware We will be working in a laboratory environment for this course that includes a classroom with tables, chairs, and computers that are conducive to group work. We will mainly work with PC computers that have the computational program Scratch 1.4. Software Each computer in the classroom will have a web browser installed that allows students to perform searches and make use of a variety of websites and Internet tools. Scratch 2.0 will be available through a web browser. Students are encouraged to download and install Scratch 1.4 on their personal laptop available for free at http://www.scratch.mit.edu. Standards, Prerequisites, Hardware/Software
Unit 1: Human Computer Interactive (4 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Computers and the Internet; Models of Intelligent Behavior; Societal impacts of computing Unit 2: Problem Solving (4 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Algorithms and abstraction; Connections between Mathematics and Computer Science Unit 3: Web Design (5 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Web page design and development; Computers and the internet; Algorithms and abstraction; Societal impacts of computing Unit 4: Introduction to Programming (6 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Programming; Algorithms and abstractions; Connections between mathematics and computer science; societal impacts of computing Unit 5: Computing and Data Analysis (6 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Data and information; Algorithms and abstraction; Connection between mathematics and computer science; programming; societal impacts of computing Unit 6: Robotics (7 weeks) Topics to be addressed: Robotics; Algorithms and abstraction; Connections between mathematics and computer science; Programming; Societal impacts of computing ECS Topics
Materials Wireless Composition Notebook (any brand; any color) Notebook Paper (college or wide rule) USB Flash Drive (16 GB or larger) 1 ½ or 2 Notebook (binder) (any brand; any color) *recommend slant D ring Pencils (mechanical or regular) Set of Colored Pencils (any brand) Highlighters (any brand) Glue Sticks (any brand) Ruler with both English and Metric Units (plastic or wood) Storage Box/Pouch/Bag for Supplies (MUST be clear or mesh) [If you need to see pictures of supplies, please visit my webpage.] Testing and Projects Midterms and Final Exams: Mid-terms December 11-15, 2017 Finals May 14-24, 2017 **Last student day is May 24 th.** ** Note: Exact dates will be given when they become available Major Tests and Projects: Major tests will be given periodically throughout the nine weeks. They will be announced ahead of time. The date will be posted. You will be reminded both in class via Remind and Edmodo. There will be Final Projects at the end of each unit. Students will receive an individual and group grade on this assignment. Materials; Testing and Projects
a) A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59 b) Your nine weeks grade will consist of the following: Major Tests/Projects 65% Daily Assignments, Homework & Quizzes 35% c) Your semester grade will consist of the following: 1 st nine weeks grade 40% 2 nd nine weeks grade 40% Mid-Term Exam 20% 3 rd nine weeks grade 40% 4 th nine weeks grade 40% Final Exam 20% d) Final Grade: 1 st Semester Grade 50% and 2 nd Semester Grade 50% Grading Scale and Grade Determination
Makeup Work Procedures: Makeup work will be done after school during the same hours as tutoring and ONLY AFTER an EXCUSE has been turned in and entered into the computer. HOWEVER, it is the student s responsibility to remember to bring his/her excuse when he/she is absent. A zero will be entered for any missed assignment until an excuse is brought and the assignment is made up. Once the assignment is made up and is graded, then the zero will be changed to the appropriate grade. This will keep the student from having a false sense of his/her grade. Makeup work will be graded promptly, and inow updated immediately to reflect new averages as soon as possible. Students and parents should also remember that if a student checks in or out during the school day, he/she needs an excuse for the time the student was NOT at school in order to make up his/her work for those missed classes. I will do my best to work with you and your student to arrange for makeup work. However, students must remember to complete and turn in their makeup work and/or make up missed tests. I will not continue to remind them daily the work needs to be completed. Makeup work will be placed in the hanging folders located on the wall near the classroom door. Students should also check Edmodo and Remind for missed assignments. This way students do not have to wait until they return in order to work on missed assignments. **Remember: students only have THREE (3) days to turn in their excuses before it becomes a PERMANENT unexcused absence.** Tutoring: If a student needs extra help, I am available after school. Tutoring is offered on Tuesdays- Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Changes to this schedule will be sent out via email, Remind and Edmodo. Please make sure to check daily for updates. Make Up Work Policies and Tutoring
Curricular Approach Exploring Computer Science teaches the creative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and problem-solving nature of computing with instructional materials that feature an inquirybased approach to learning and teaching. As part of this course, students will delve into real world computing problems that are culturally relevant, and address social and ethical issues while delivering foundational computer science knowledge to students. Students will engage in several in-depth projects to demonstrate the real-world applications of computing. This curriculum builds off of learning theories that view learning as a social and cultural process that does not only occur in a vacuum at school; that is, students bring to school bodies of knowledge from their lives, culture, and communities. Building from students prior knowledge, the collection of problem solving skills, and the social and ethical knowledge of computer-related problems will result in a more active curriculum. Each unit connects students informal knowledge, technology skills, and beliefs about computing to the theoretical and foundational tenets of computer science. Students will become members of a computing community of practice in the classroom where they will be introduced to the behavior, language, and skills of computer scientists. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of computing allows for the incorporation of subject-matter topics across disciplines into the computing curriculum. ClassDojo Positive Reward System I will be using a Positive Reward System to help reward positive behaviors in class. Please see attached information sheet on how to sign up. There is a code for both you and your parents/guardians. You will earn points each day and will be given an opportunity to spin for rewards at least once a week. If you are not present on the day we spin, you will have to wait until the next time we spin. Therefore, you should be at school every day in order to guarantee you do not miss any opportunities. Curricular Approach & Reward System
FIVE STEP DISCIPLINE This year s school wide discipline plan is as follows: Step 1: Student/teacher conference Step 2: Teacher/parent contact Step 3: Teacher/Parent conference Step 4: Detention by teacher (once) Step 5: Office Referral Zero tolerance policy if Class C offense or above (see MPS Code of Conduct 2017-18). My planning period is 4 th period. The times I am available are 10:35 to 11:10 a.m. I am also available after 2:45 p.m. every day unless I have a faculty meeting or other scheduled meeting. Faculty meetings are normally held on Mondays. My email address is: wanda.smiley@mps.k12.al.us. Please feel free to email me any questions or concerns you have. I will answer you as quickly as I can. Also, you may call the school at 334-260- 8121 to set up a parent/teacher conference. I am in Room A202. You may also call or text me on my Google Voice/Text number which is 334-603-1280. I have also attached information about signing up to receive notices via Remind. You may sign up for this as well as your student. Also, I will send out emails to let you know what your child is doing in class and to give you upcoming information. The best way for me to get your email is for you to send me an email using wanda.smile@mps.k12.al.us. This way I can add you to my Distribution List and make sure you receive all pertinent information. The students will be using Edmodo. You may also sign up for Remind and Edmodo. However, please note the Remind only allows me to attached one file to a message at a time. Because of this, I have to send several messages if I have more than one attachment. If you do not want to receive multiple notifications, then please make sure you send me your email address as I can attach more than one file to those. Discipline Plan, Planning Time & Contact Info for Parents
Expectations Regarding Electronic Devices/Cell Phones At the beginning of each class, you will be asked to take out materials needed for the day. You will then place your book bags/purses on the counter under the window in my room. You will be asked to put your cell phones or other devices on silent and leave them in your book bags/purses. IF cell phones or other devices are needed for the class, I will tell you while you are getting out your materials for the day. We will be using your electronic devices, but NOT every day! If you have your cell phone or other electronic device out after the class begins, then the cell phone or device will be confiscated and turned into an administrator per MPS/PCHS policy. A parent/guardian will then have to come to the school at the end of the NEXT school day to pick up your phone or device. The reason I have this policy is because it keeps you on task and focused on the lesson. I usually let you get your book bags/purses about 5 minutes before the end of class. During the last 5 minutes, you will be able to check your messages. If for some reason your parents/guardians need to contact you during class time, please tell them to send me a message using my Google number 334-603-1280 or Remind. These messages go directly to my phone. I will try to make sure to check any messages during class. But, please tell them to ONLY send a message if it is an emergency! Expectations for Behavior and in Computer Lab Students are expected to: Be on time to class Be prepared with materials and assigned work Participate in class discussions Be courteous to others and cooperative in the classroom and lab Adherer to all guidelines, behaviors, and conditions as stated in the student handbook In the Computer Lab, students are expected to: Listen to your Teacher and follow given instructions! Handle ALL EQUIPMENT properly and with respect. Act appropriately at all times and be courteous to others. NO GUM, FOOD, OR DRINKS in the LAB. No backpacks or personal CD s. Stay at your assigned computer. Don t waste time!! Yours or your friends. Visit only approved or appropriate Internet sites for your assignment. Leave computer volume level at or below 40 or off. Do NOT make any changes to computer settings. (This includes desktop, screen saver, etc.) BACK UP your work onto your USB Flash Drive BEFORE signing off computer. Students are EXPECTED to follow the MPS Electronic Communication and Data Management Policy (Acceptable Use Policy). Expectations for Cell Phones/Electronic Devices and Behavior
In order to avoid tardiness, please plan ahead. Weather and car troubles happen. Therefore, we all need to be prepared. You need to listen to the announcements in order to determine the best route to travel to get from class to class. So, please plan each night in order to avoid being tardy to school. And, you should plan ahead each day in order to avoid being tardy to class. In order to avoid any confusion as to what needs to be done if you are late to school, please be reminded of the following: 1. If you are on a LATE BUS, you MUST get a Late Bus pass from the security officer(s) on duty at the bus entrance. This lets me know you were on a late bus. Also, please come straight to class once you get your late pass and do not wander around in the hallways or linger in the cafeteria for breakfast. 2. If you ride with someone or are dropped off and you arrive between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m., you need to go straight to your classroom. Once you arrive to class, you will be required to sign the tardy log. You then will be admitted to class and marked tardy in inow. 3. If you ride with someone or are dropped off and you arrive at 7:40 a.m. OR AFTER, then you MUST be signed in by your PARENT/GUARDIAN. You will then be given a check-in notice by the front office and proceed to your classroom. However, please note that this does count as a Tardy to Class. If the reason you are tardy is due to an EXCUSED reason, please make sure you have the appropriate documentation in order for it to be coded this way. Otherwise, it is considered unexcused and counts against you. 4. During the school day, you have 3 minutes to get from one class to another. You need to listen to the announcements to determine the best route to take from class to class. If the library is closed, then you need to be prepared to take an alternate route. Arriving tardy due to the library being closed or an exterior door of the school being locked is NOT an acceptable reason for being late to class. 5. If you are with another teacher after the tardy bell rings, you need to make sure you receive a hall pass from the teacher you are with. It would also be helpful if the teacher you are with calls me and lets me know they had to hold you. Consequences for Tardies (follows Discipline Plan as stated above 1 st tardy Warning 2 nd tardy Contact with parent 3 rd tardy Parent/Teacher conference 4th tardy After school detention with Mrs. Smiley 5 th and subsequent tardies Office referral (Same steps as Discipline Plan) Tardy Policy and Consequences
Absent All Day: If you are absent all day, then you must bring an excuse within 3 days of returning to school, if the absence meets the criteria for an excused absence. When you have an unexcused absence, the only grade the computer will allow a teacher to enter for the missed assignment is a 0. Therefore, please make sure you have an excuse note when you return. Notes are given to student s Homeroom/1 st period teacher. Check Ins/Check Outs: If you miss a class (either ½ or the whole class), then you need an excuse for the class(es) you miss. For example, if you check out after 3 rd period, then you would need an excuse for 4 th, 5 th, 6 th and 7 th periods. You are considered absent for the classes you miss. The same applies if you check in later in the day. For example, if you check in after 1 st period, then you would need an excuse of that period. Even if you check in after lunch time, you will need an excuse of the first 5 classes of the day. If you check in later in the day, you may give your excuse to the front office personnel when you check in. Attendance Policy