AP CSP Day 17 - List Operations and Algorithms

Course Information

• Course: AP Computer Science Principles
• Unit: Big Idea 1 - Creative Development (CRD)
• Lesson: Day 17 (50 minutes)
• Learning Objective: CRD-1.Q - Use list operations and algorithms appropriately

Learning Objectives

Primary Goals

Students will be able to:

1. Understand advanced list operations and algorithms
2. Create programs using advanced list operations effectively
3. Test and refine program logic involving list operations and algorithms
4. Analyze real-world scenarios that require list operations and algorithms

AP Exam Alignment

• Big Idea 1: Creative Development (10-13% of AP Exam)
• Essential Knowledge: CRD-1.Q.1, CRD-1.Q.2, CRD-1.Q.3
• Computational Thinking Practice: 1.A - Investigate the situation, context, or task

Lesson Structure (50 minutes)

Opening Hook (10 minutes)

1.1 Welcome & Lesson Preview (5 minutes)

Teacher Activities:

• Recap previous day's content on lists
• Introduce today's topic on list operations and algorithms

Student Activities:

• Think about: "What are some examples where we use advanced list operations and algorithms in daily life?"

1.2 Advanced List Operation Examples Challenge (5 minutes)

Activity: "Identify the Advanced List Operation"
Instructions:

• Groups of 4-6 students
• Identify advanced list operations and algorithms in given scenarios
• Discuss the importance of advanced list operations and algorithms

Purpose: Activate thinking about advanced list operations and algorithms

Core Content Instruction (20 minutes)

2.1 What are Advanced List Operations and Algorithms? (10 minutes)

Definition (CRD-1.Q.1):

Advanced list operations involve more complex manipulations of lists, while algorithms provide step-by-step procedures for solving problems.

Key Concepts:

• Sorting: sort(), sorted()
• Searching: linear search, binary search
• Filtering: list comprehensions

Case Study: Using advanced list operations and algorithms in a simple program

• Program: Sort and search student names
• List structure: students = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie']

2.2 Common Advanced List Operations (5 minutes)

Examples:

• Sorting: students.sort()
• Searching: if 'Alice' in students:
• Filtering: [student for student in students if len(student) > 4]

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes good advanced list operation usage?
2. Can you think of an example where advanced list operations and algorithms are used in daily life?
3. Why are advanced list operations and algorithms important in programming?

2.3 Advanced Algorithm Concepts (5 minutes)

Why is it important?:

• Efficiency: Handling large datasets quickly
• Scalability: Solving more complex problems

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we handle large datasets with advanced algorithms?
2. Why is scalability important when using advanced list operations and algorithms?

Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

3.1 Group Project: Create a Program with Advanced List Operations and Algorithms (15 minutes)

Activity: "Design a Program"
Instructions:

• Groups of 3-4 students
• Design a program that uses advanced list operations and algorithms effectively
• Test the program for correctness
• Present the program to the class

Materials:

• **Program design worksheet
• **Advanced list operation and algorithm checklist

Learning Goals:

• **Understand advanced list operations and algorithms
• **Create programs using advanced list operations effectively
• **Test program logic involving advanced list operations and algorithms
• **Present ideas effectively

Assessment:

• **Group participation
• **Program quality
• **Testing thoroughness
• **Presentation clarity

Closure & Preview (5 minutes)

4.1 Key Concepts Review (2 minutes)

Today's Learning Highlights:

1. ✅ Understanding advanced list operations and algorithms
2. ✅ Creating programs using advanced list operations effectively
3. ✅ Testing and refining program logic involving advanced list operations and algorithms
4. ✅ Analyzing real-world scenarios that require advanced list operations and algorithms

AP Exam Connection:

• These concepts will appear in AP exam multiple choice questions
• Understanding advanced list operations and algorithms is crucial for the Create Performance Task

4.2 Next Class Preview (3 minutes)

Day 18 Topic: "Traversing Lists"

• Learning Objective: CRD-1.R - Traverse lists appropriately
• Activity: Practicing list traversal
• Homework: Think about a recent program you used. What advanced list operations and algorithms did it employ?