AP CSP Day 8 - Iteration (Loops) - Part 1

Course Information

• Course: AP Computer Science Principles
• Unit: Big Idea 1 - Creative Development (CRD)
• Lesson: Day 8 (50 minutes)
• Learning Objective: CRD-1.H - Use iteration structures appropriately

Learning Objectives

Primary Goals

Students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of iteration in programming
2. Create programs using basic loop structures
3. Test and refine loop logic
4. Analyze real-world scenarios that require loops

AP Exam Alignment

• Big Idea 1: Creative Development (10-13% of AP Exam)
• Essential Knowledge: CRD-1.H.1, CRD-1.H.2, CRD-1.H.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 Boolean logic and compound conditions
• Introduce today's topic on iteration and loops

Student Activities:

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

1.2 Loop Examples Challenge (5 minutes)

Activity: "Identify the Loop"
Instructions:

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

Purpose: Activate thinking about loops

Core Content Instruction (20 minutes)

2.1 What is Iteration? (10 minutes)

Definition (CRD-1.H.1):

Iteration involves repeating a set of instructions until a condition is met.

Key Concepts:

• For loops: Repeating a block of code a specific number of times
• While loops: Repeating a block of code while a condition is true

Case Study: Using loops in a simple program

• Program: Print numbers from 1 to 10
• Loop structure: for i in range(1, 11):

2.2 Types of Loops (5 minutes)

Examples:

• For loop: for item in list:
• While loop: while condition:

Discussion Questions:

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

2.3 Advanced Loop Structures (5 minutes)

Why is it important?:

• Complex logic: Handling multiple iterations
• Efficiency: Reducing unnecessary repetitions

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we handle complex logic with loops?
2. Why is efficiency important in loop structures?

Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

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

Activity: "Design a Program"
Instructions:

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

Materials:

• **Program design worksheet
• **Loop usage checklist

Learning Goals:

• **Understand iteration
• **Create programs using loops
• **Test loop 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 iteration in programming
2. ✅ Creating programs using basic loop structures
3. ✅ Testing and refining loop logic
4. ✅ Analyzing real-world scenarios that require loops

AP Exam Connection:

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

4.2 Next Class Preview (3 minutes)

Day 9 Topic: "Iteration (Loops) - Part 2"

• Learning Objective: CRD-1.I - Use advanced iteration structures appropriately
• Activity: Practicing advanced loops
• Homework: Think about a recent program you used. What loops did it employ?