AP CSP Day 6 - Selection (Conditionals)

Course Information

• Course: AP Computer Science Principles
• Unit: Big Idea 1 - Creative Development (CRD)
• Lesson: Day 6 (50 minutes)
• Learning Objective: CRD-1.F - Use selection structures appropriately

Learning Objectives

Primary Goals

Students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of selection in programming
2. Create programs using conditional statements
3. Test and refine conditional logic
4. Analyze real-world scenarios that require conditionals

AP Exam Alignment

• Big Idea 1: Creative Development (10-13% of AP Exam)
• Essential Knowledge: CRD-1.F.1, CRD-1.F.2, CRD-1.F.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 algorithm design and testing
• Introduce today's topic on selection and conditionals

Student Activities:

• Think about: "What are some examples where we use conditionals in daily life?"

1.2 Conditional Examples Challenge (5 minutes)

Activity: "Identify the Conditional"
Instructions:

• Groups of 4-6 students
• Identify conditionals in given scenarios
• Discuss the importance of conditionals

Purpose: Activate thinking about conditionals

Core Content Instruction (20 minutes)

2.1 What is Selection? (10 minutes)

Definition (CRD-1.F.1):

Selection involves making decisions based on conditions.

Key Concepts:

• If statements: Making a decision
• Else statements: Providing an alternative
• Elif statements: Multiple conditions

Case Study: Using conditionals in a simple program

• Program: Determine if a number is positive, negative, or zero
• Conditionals: if num > 0; elif num < 0; else

2.2 Types of Conditionals (5 minutes)

Examples:

• Simple if: if condition:
• If-else: if condition: ... else:
• Nested if: if condition1: if condition2:

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes a good conditional statement?
2. Can you think of an example where conditionals are used in daily life?
3. Why are conditionals important in programming?

2.3 Advanced Conditionals (5 minutes)

Why is it important?:

• Complex logic: Handling multiple conditions
• Efficiency: Reducing unnecessary checks

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we handle complex logic with conditionals?
2. Why is efficiency important in conditional statements?

Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

3.1 Group Project: Create a Program with Conditionals (15 minutes)

Activity: "Design a Program"
Instructions:

• Groups of 3-4 students
• Design a program that uses conditionals
• Test the program for correctness
• Present the program to the class

Materials:

• **Program design worksheet
• **Conditional usage checklist

Learning Goals:

• **Understand selection
• **Create programs using conditionals
• **Test conditional logic
• **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 the concept of selection in programming
2. ✅ Creating programs using conditional statements
3. ✅ Testing and refining conditional logic
4. ✅ Analyzing real-world scenarios that require conditionals

AP Exam Connection:

• These concepts will appear in AP exam multiple choice questions
• Understanding conditionals is crucial for the Create Performance Task

4.2 Next Class Preview (3 minutes)

Day 7 Topic: "Boolean Logic and Compound Conditions"

• Learning Objective: CRD-1.G - Use Boolean logic and compound conditions appropriately
• Activity: Practicing Boolean logic
• Homework: Think about a recent program you used. What conditionals did it employ?