WELCOME AP Computer Science A Mr. Smith

Basic Information AP Computer Science A Mr. Smith - Room S315 Phone: Website: or Office Hours: Tues and Thurs 7:15-8:00am, Mon. and Wed. 3:15-4:30

Who am I? Hobbies: Playing tennis, reading Love to watch most sports Family: wife and two sons (both Gamecocks) Graduated from UNC-Greensboro Have worked in computers for my entire career (25+ years) Programmed in several languages 8 th year as a teacher (all at Career Center)

What will you be doing this year? Advanced Placement Computer Science A Comparable to a first-year college level course Improve your problem-solving skills Learn programming by doing You will write your own programs to perform different tasks You will become prepared for a successful outcome when you take the College Board Advanced Placement Computer Science A exam

Course Requirements What do you need to be successful? What are the rules in this classroom? What are the consequences for not following a rule? How will you be graded? What are the classroom procedures?

What do you need to be successful? FOCUS - Take careful notes during class. Be in attendance and on time for class every day. Listen and learn. BE INQUISITIVE –Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes (you sometimes learn more from mistakes). Ask questions and learn from each other – share knowledge PREPARE - Read the textbook section relevant to the day’s work. Prepare for tests prior to the night before. FOLLOW THROUGH - Do your homework everyday. Use the supplemental web resources to complete homework and enhance your understanding of the material. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET BEHIND ON YOUR HOMEWORK!! FOCUS – BE INQUISITIVE – PREPARE – FOLLOW THROUGH

Other helpful hints to be successful Seek extra help before school, after school, or during the day; and Always be a proactive learner. Keep your work organized – put your name, date, and class period on everything; Nothing can substitute for doing problems;

What are the rules in this classroom? Career Center rules and discipline procedures need to be followed Everyone in the classroom deserves respect Cell phones need to remain hidden and not used during class Be respectful of the classroom (no food or open drink in computer area) – clean up your mess. No cheating

What are the consequences for not following a rule? If you choose to break a classroom rule, one or more of the following consequences will be used: I will ask you to correct the inappropriate behavior. I will conference with you (either in the hall during class time or at my convenience). Parents may be contacted at this point. Parents/administrators/guidance counselors are made aware of the problem that you are having trouble correcting. You are asked to serve a detention at my convenience either before or after school. I will give you 24 hours notice. You are removed from my classroom to the In School Suspension (ISS) room for the remainder of class period. You are referred to an administrator and they will discipline you.

Other Items You are encouraged to take notes. Consider printing the Powerpoint lectures (2 per page) No writing in the textbooks Please bring flash drive every day Any test or quiz will require a pencil Any closure of school on the day of a test or quiz reschedules it for the first day back. Homework is critical – more in this later I will dismiss the class – don’t pack up or leave your seat early.

How will you be graded? GRADING POLICY – Tests/Projects50% – Quizzes/Labs25% – Homework25%

Classroom Procedures Come into classroom and have a seat before the bell rings When you are tardy, come in and quietly take a seat. Let me know after class why you were tardy. Give me a note if it is an excused tardy. Pay attention and take notes during class Bathroom breaks during class are discouraged but granted for emergencies (use the hall pass) Clean up your work area before you leave

When You Are Absent When you are absent, please hand a signed/dated note the day you return to class to the teacher of the first Career Center class you missed You will be responsible for making up homework during your absence Look on my website to review lectures and to get your homework If you missed a quiz or test because of your absence, arrange a time with me to make up the test during non-class time.

Homework Policy If you miss my class, please check the day’s lesson plan on my website for the day’s homework assignment. I allow late homework because I want you to do your homework. Late homework will be penalized 10 points for each school day late.

Seating Chart Initially the seating chart will be alphabetized by last name (to help me learn your names) Periodically, I will scramble the seating chart (using a Java program I created) If you have any special needs (i.e. hearing or site issues) that could affect where you need to sit, please let me know.

Textbooks

AP Computer Science Website or OR go to Career Center website ( and pick me from the Faculty/Staff webpageshttp://

Most Importantly Remember… I truly believe in your potential! Have an awesome year! -Mr. Smith