AP CSP - Python with CodeX - Mission 1: Welcome / Mission 2: Introducing CodeX

← AP CSP: Python with CodeX
Mission 1 & 2 Lesson Plan

Mission 1: Welcome / Mission 2: Introducing CodeX

Students learn their way around CodeSpace, get to know the CodeX, and write and save their first Python code.

⏰ 45 min 🎯 Grades 9-12 💻 CodeSpace 🎮 CodeX 🐍 Python
View Lesson Outline
📋

Overview

Missions 1 and 2 are combined into one lesson. Mission 1 introduces students to CodeSpace, and the Mission 1 & 2 Assignment lets them take guided notes as they go. It ends with a picture of CodeSpace for students to label. Mission 2 introduces students to their CodeX. In the first part, students identify its parts. In the second part, they start a file and write their first Python code.

🎯 Mission Goal: Students will learn about the CodeSpace learning environment and the basics of the CodeX.

🎯

Learning Targets

  • I can navigate CodeSpace.
  • I can identify major parts of the CodeSpace interface.
  • I can safely connect and disconnect the CodeX to my computer.
  • I can create a new file and name it according to its purpose.
  • I can write code using conventions of capitalization and punctuation specific to Python.
💡

Key Concepts

  • Follow the instructions in the Lesson Panel carefully. There is a lot of important reading!
  • Look for "tool icons" to collect tools in your Toolbox as you go.
  • The text editor is where you type in the code.
  • Your code is saved to the file name you create.
  • The CodeX is a powerful general-purpose computing device you can use to build an infinite number of cool projects.
✅

Assessment Opportunities

  • Mission 1 & 2 Assignment
  • Quiz after Mission 1 Objective 4
  • Quiz after Mission 2 Objective 2
  • Quiz after Mission 2 Objective 7
☑️

Success Criteria

  • Identify major parts of the CodeSpace interface: Mission Bar, Objective Panel, text editor, CodeTrek, Toolbox, and Lesson Navigation Controls
  • Successfully connect and disconnect the CodeX using the USB-C cable
  • Identify major parts of the CodeX: USB connector, LCD Grid, CPU
  • Write a program, run it, and save it to the CodeX
📁

Digital Resources

🧰

Classroom Materials

  • ▸CodeX (one per student or pair)
  • ▸USB-C cable
🌍

Real-World Applications

💻Programmers use a text editor to create their code. CodeSpace is an IDE, or integrated development environment, patterned after other popular IDEs.
🔌All the electronic devices students use have similar circuit boards inside. Microwave ovens, cell phones, automobiles, watches and fitness trackers, and alarm systems all contain microcontrollers like the one on the CodeX.
🗣️Challenge students to describe how our lives are impacted by this technology, and how related tasks were done before computer technology was invented. Use this question or a similar one from the CSTA standards for your grade band.
🚀

Extensions & Cross-Curricular

ExtensionStudents who finish early can display other built-in images from the list in the Teacher Notes.
ExtensionStudents label the picture of CodeSpace in the Mission 1 & 2 Assignment (optional, depending on your pacing).
Lang ArtsStudents keep a daily journal, or use a reflection form, to process what they learned and write down questions they still have.
🔤

Vocabulary

▾
Bug - When your program doesn't do what you intended it to do.
Debug - The process of understanding what the computer is actually doing and then changing the code to do what you want it to do.
CPU - Central Processing Unit, or the brain of the computer.
Peripheral - A device that interacts with the CPU. Common peripherals are LED lights, display screen, buttons, mouse, keyboard, and printer.
🐍

New Python Code

▾
from codex import *Import the codex library
display.show(pics.HEART)Display a built-in image
📐

Standards

▾

CSTA Standards - Grades 9-10

3A-AP-16

CSTA Standards - Grades 11-12

3B-AP-16

AP CSP Framework - Computational Thinking Practices

5.A - Explain how computing systems work.
5.C - Describe the impact of a computing innovation.
📝
Preparing for the Lesson
  • In advance, create a class on your dashboard and have the join code ready to give your students.
  • The assignment is best completed digitally. Prepare the assignment to give through your LMS.
  • If you have a word wall, or another form of vocabulary presentation, prepare the new terms.
🧑‍🏫
Teacher Notes
  • Mission 1 is the first lesson in all the mission packs. If your students have completed other mission packs with other physical devices, they will already know this information. You can have them complete the mission as a review and refresher, or you can unlock the next mission and continue to Mission 2.
  • The assignment has a picture of CodeSpace for students to label. This is optional, depending on your pacing.
  • Here is a list of all the built-in images:
  • pics.HEART
  • pics.HEART_SMALL
  • pics.MUSIC
  • pics.HAPPY
  • pics.SAD
  • pics.SURPRISED
  • pics.ASLEEP
  • pics.TARGET
  • pics.TSHIRT
  • pics.PLANE
  • pics.HOUSE
  • pics.TIARA
  • pics.ARROW_N
  • pics.ARROW_NE
  • pics.ARROW_E
  • pics.ARROW_SE
  • pics.ARROW_S
  • pics.ARROW_SW
  • pics.ARROW_W
  • pics.ARROW_NW
  • Another suggestion for assessment is for students to keep a daily journal, or use a reflection form to process what they learned and reflect on questions they may still have.
  • Refer to the Python with CodeX Mission Pack Curriculum for additional challenges, cross-curricular suggestions, and additional information.
🗺️

Lesson Outline

This outline gives the narration for one way to present the lesson.

🗣️Warm-up (5 min)

Use a discussion strategy, like journaling, working at boards, selecting random students, or a form of think-pair-share.

All electronic devices have similar circuit boards inside. The tools and techniques you are learning apply to all the electronic devices you use every day! Can you name a few devices you use every day that might contain computer chips or "microcontrollers," such as the one on the CodeX?

Possible answers:

  • Microwave oven
  • Cell phone
  • Automobile
  • Watch or fitness tracker
  • Video game controller
  • Refrigerator
  • Home thermostat
  • Coffee maker
  • Bread machine
  • Alarm system
  • Fuel pumps
  • Automatic garage doors
  • Electronic locks

Discuss: How are our lives impacted by electronic devices? How were related tasks done before computer technology was invented?

💻Activity - Mission 1 (10 min)

Students can work individually or with a partner for this lesson.

Students log in to their computer. Follow the instructions for students to join the class and have the CodeX curriculum available in CodeSpace.

Open the assignment. Follow the instructions in Mission 1 and the Assignment document.

🔌Activity - Mission 2 (15 min)

Students continue to Mission 2 and the Assignment document (#5-#12).

Teaching tip: Remind students to be careful when plugging the USB-C cable into the CodeX. They should focus on pushing it in and pulling it out straight, and not rocking it back and forth! With a "bare circuit board" like the CodeX, students should have clean hands before handling it, as food particles and liquids can cause the circuits to malfunction. Static electricity can also damage the CodeX, so show students a way to "ground" themselves before handling it. An example of a reliable grounding point is a light-switch screw or metal wall plate.
Teaching tip: We recommend waiting to hand out the CodeX until it is first shown on the screen in CodeSpace. The on-screen instructions will inform students about proper care and handling of the CodeX. Each student will need a CodeX and a USB-C cable to complete this first project.

✅ The assignment is complete and ready to turn in.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Wrap-Up (10 min)

If this lesson is completed in one class period, the following can be used as a wrap-up. If you are on a block schedule and continuing to the next lesson, a wrap-up isn't necessary.

Formative assessment:

  • Daily reflection journal
  • Exit ticket on vocabulary (bug, CPU, peripheral)
  • Group review on vocabulary (bug, CPU, peripheral)
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