A. Course Overview

This Python Programming course is a program designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of coding. No prior programming experience is necessary—students only need basic computer usage skills.

B. Teaching Strategies

The course materials cater to diverse learning styles, combining written text with engaging multimedia content. Delivered entirely online, the course offers flexibility for students to learn seamlessly from home or in the classroom.

Key chapters focus on Python programming and computer science principles, while supplemental lessons cover topics such as computing ethics, career exploration, and societal impacts of technology. Teachers may tailor lessons to meet state standards or student interests.

The course culminates in an optional Creative Project, which can be completed individually or in small groups, fostering collaboration and hands-on application of programming skills.

C. Course Planner

The curriculum is designed for daily lessons lasting 45-60 minutes. Each chapter includes:
• One lesson per day (including quizzes).
• One day per chapter lab activity.
• One day per chapter test.
Larger labs may require additional time.

D. Chapters and Objectives

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Python
• Introduction to Python
• Running Python Programs
• Writing Python Code
Chapter 2: Working with Data
• Data Types and Variables
• Numeric and String Variables
Chapter 3: Input and Output
• Printing Parameters
• User Input
• String Formatting
Chapter 4: Making Decisions
• Logical Expressions and Operators
• The “if” Statement
• Complex Expressions
Chapter 5: Finding and Fixing Problems
• Types of Errors
• Troubleshooting Tools
• Using the Python Debugger
Chapter 6: Lists and Loops
• Lists, Tuples, and Functions
• “For” and “While” Loops
Chapter 7: Numeric and Data
• Dates, Times, and Math Libraries
• Random Numbers
Chapter 8: Working with Strings
• String Functions
• Input Validation with “try/except”
Chapter 9: Functions
• Writing and Calling Functions
• Local and Global Scope
Chapter 10: Python Classes
• Object-Oriented Programming Basics
Chapter 11: Class Instances
• Creating and Managing Objects
Chapter 12: Food Fight Project
• Developing a Python-based Game
Chapter 13: Creative Project
• Design, Coding, Testing, and Team Collaboration

Supplemental Lessons

• Python on Your Computer: Installing Python, Using IDEs, and Managing Projects.
• Computers and Society: Global Computing, Digital Identity, and Artificial Intelligence.