AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A

Email: lucas.shannonhill@rentonschools.us

Office Hours: Please feel free to swing by LHS 219 anytime. I may be at a meeting, but if I am around I'm happy to work with you. Additionally, feel free to set up an appointment to guarantee time with me by visiting the below link, emailing, or talking with me.

Appointment Link: Book time with Lucas (Luke) Shannon-Hill: After-school Help

AP Computer Science A- PMA138

Course Description: AP Computer Science is a fast-paced course meant to replicate a college introductory programming class, it is designed for students who have an interest in computer-related careers. Students need good problem-solving skills and a willingness to work hard. Students will be learning JAVA, with emphasis on problem-solving, computer science theory, and program syntax.

Components of final grade:

In order to earn a letter grade of an A, a student must:

Meet all the requirements for a C grade and

Complete two (2) projects, each of which must be approved by the instructor and
Have no late work

In order to earn a letter grade of a B, a student must:

Meet all the requirements for a C grade and

Complete one (1) project, which must be approved by the instructor

In order to earn a letter grade of a C a student must:

Submit all assigned homework. Homework should show that a reasonable effort has been made toward completing the work. I reserve the right to reject homework that shows little to no effort having been made to engage with the material. In such cases I expect that the student put forth more effort and turn in the work again. In those cases, the work would then be considered late provided it is submitted after the due date.

Take and pass all tests and quizzes. Students who fail to pass a test or quiz may retake the test or quiz as many times as needed in order to pass. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to schedule the test or quiz retake. Students are welcome to retake tests or quizzes during work days or schedule time after school to do so. Students are welcome to discuss the tests and/or quizzes with me in order to receive help in building the understanding they need in order to pass the test or quiz.
All student work–including all test and quiz retakes–are due one (1) week prior to the end of the trimester. This means that I will not accept any late or missing work or allow any test or quiz retakes in the final week of the trimester. Please plan accordingly and let me know if you have any questions.

In order to earn a letter grade of an F, a student will:

Have one (1) or more missing assignments and/or

Have one (1) or more missing tests and/or quizzes and/or
Have one (1) or more unpassed tests and/or quizzes.

Please note that I have constructed this grading scale to center student growth, honor student choice, and enforce student accountability.

Late/Make-up Work :

As described above, obtaining an A requires that all work be submitted on time.

It is suggested that you get your work in by deadlines but will have till the end of the trimester to get your work in. With that said, please note that I can reject work that shows little to no effort having been made to engage with the material. I strongly encourage you to turn in work on time and not wait until the last minute. If absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed and make it up promptly. Check canvas or skyward for the missed assignments.

Projects:

Projects are intended as opportunities for students to push themselves to grow and develop skills in an authentic, self-directed, and engaging manner.

Projects may be technical or focus on so-called “soft-skills.” For example, I have had students make websites, follow tutorials for making 2-D platformer games (similar to Super Mario Bros.), make text based adventure games (similar to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book), and make fully functional chess games.

I will also encourage students to work with the Career and Opportunity Center to consider their next steps beyond high school and think a wonderful project for a student to undertake would be career research—to really understand what it is they want to do and how it is they can get there.

Finally, my hope is that students will consider their own interests and ideas for growth and bring those forward for discussion with me. My hope is that students use this opportunity to do something they really care about and create something that they’re interested in and proud of.

Grading Policy Discussion:

Please note that in order to pass this class the student must 1) turn in all of their homework, even if that homework is late, and 2) take and, if necessary, correct all of their tests and/or quizzes until they pass those tests and/or quizzes.

I shall create ample opportunity in class for the student to engage with the work and will do my utmost to ensure that questions are answered and help is provided in as expeditious a manner as is possible. With that said, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to do the work and turn it in.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

School Information

Student Handbook | Bell Schedule

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