Program Function and Purpose Activity Cards Collection
Program Function and Purpose Activity Cards Collection
This collection provides flexible activity cards to support the AP CSP Day 4 - Program Function and Purpose lesson and other related activities throughout the unit.
🎯 Icebreaker Activity Cards
Card #1: Program Feature Guess
Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: List of program features
Activity Instructions:
- Groups of 4-6 students
- One person knows the secret feature of a program
- Others ask yes/no questions to guess the feature
- Leadership rotates every 5 minutes
Learning Goals:
- **Practice logical reasoning
- **Understand program components
- **Develop questioning skills
Card #2: Input-Output Matching
Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Cards with program inputs and outputs
Activity Instructions:
- Groups match program inputs with corresponding outputs
- Discuss the processing steps involved
- Present matches and explanations
Learning Goals:
- **Identify program components
- **Understand input-output relationships
- **Practice analysis skills
Card #3: Program Purpose Brainstorm
Time: 12 minutes
Group Size: Any
Materials: Paper, pens
Activity Instructions:
- Students brainstorm possible purposes for a given program
- Share ideas with the class
- Discuss which purposes are most likely
Learning Goals:
- **Think creatively about program uses
- **Understand program purpose
- **Develop critical thinking skills
🧠 Critical Thinking Cards
Card #4: Program Component Identification
Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Program descriptions
Activity Instructions:
- Groups read program descriptions
- Identify inputs, processing steps, and outputs
- Discuss the program's purpose
- Present findings
Learning Goals:
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
- **Practice analysis skills
Card #5: Problem-Solving with Programs
Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Problem scenarios
Activity Instructions:
- Groups discuss problem scenarios
- Develop program solutions
- Present solutions
Learning Goals:
- **Apply program knowledge to real-world problems
- **Develop problem-solving skills
- **Understand program purpose
Card #6: Creative Expression with Programs
Time: 18 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Creative expression prompts
Activity Instructions:
- Groups work on creative expression prompts
- Develop program ideas
- Present ideas
Learning Goals:
- **Understand creative expression through programs
- **Develop creative thinking skills
- **Practice program design
🎨 Creative Expression Cards
Card #7: Program Mind Map
Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Paper, markers, sticky notes
Activity Instructions:
- Groups create a mind map of program function and purpose
- Include:
- **Inputs
- **Processing steps
- **Outputs
- **Purpose
Learning Goals:
- **Visualize program components
- **Understand program purpose
- **Develop concept mapping skills
Card #8: Program Reflection Worksheet
Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Worksheet, pens
Activity Instructions:
- Groups complete the worksheet
- Discuss:
- **What did you learn about program function?
- **How does understanding program purpose help in development?
- **What challenges did you face?
- **How could you improve your analysis?
Learning Goals:
- **Reflect on program understanding
- **Develop critical thinking skills
- **Identify areas for improvement
Card #9: Program Design Challenge
Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Design prompts
Activity Instructions:
- Groups work on a program design prompt
- Develop a basic program idea
- Present the idea
Learning Goals:
- **Practice program design
- **Understand program purpose
- **Develop creative thinking skills
🤝 Collaboration Cards
Card #10: Collaborative Program Analysis
Time: 25 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Program descriptions
Activity Instructions:
- Groups analyze a program description
- Identify components and purpose
- Present findings
Learning Goals:
- **Collaborative analysis skills
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
Card #11: Group Program Design
Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Design prompts
Activity Instructions:
- Groups design a basic program
- Identify inputs, processing, and outputs
- Discuss the program's purpose
- Present the design
Learning Goals:
- **Collaborative program design
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
Card #12: Program Improvement Suggestions
Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Existing program descriptions
Activity Instructions:
- Groups review existing program descriptions
- Suggest improvements
- Present suggestions
Learning Goals:
- **Critical thinking about programs
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
🚀 Innovation Challenge Cards
Card #13: Rapid Program Design
Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 2-3 students
Materials: Design prompts
Activity Instructions:
- Groups quickly design a basic program
- Focus on function and purpose
- Present the design
Learning Goals:
- **Rapid program design skills
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
Card #14: Program Function Puzzle
Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Puzzle pieces with program components
Activity Instructions:
- Groups assemble a program function puzzle
- Match inputs, processing, and outputs
- Discuss the program's purpose
Learning Goals:
- **Identify program components
- **Understand program purpose
- **Develop problem-solving skills
Card #15: Future Program Prediction
Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Future scenario cards
Activity Instructions:
- Groups predict future program needs
- Develop program ideas
- Present ideas
Learning Goals:
- **Predict future computing needs
- **Develop program design skills
- **Understand program purpose
📝 Usage Guidelines
Selection Principles
- Icebreakers: Use cards #1-3
- Critical thinking development: Use cards #4-6
- Creative expression: Use cards #7-9
- Collaboration building: Use cards #10-12
- Advanced challenges: Use cards #13-15
Timing Adjustments
- All activity times can be modified based on needs
- Activities can be run in multiple rounds
- Recommend 2-3 minutes between activities for discussion
Difficulty Modifications
- Reduce difficulty: Add hints, extend time, reduce constraints
- Increase difficulty: Shorten time, add restrictions, require higher quality
Material Substitutions
- Most materials can be replaced with common classroom items
- Encourage improvisation and creative use of available resources
- Digital tools can substitute for paper-and-pencil activities
AP CSP Integration
- Cards align with program function learning objectives
- Activities support AP exam preparation
- Concepts connect to Create Performance Task requirements
- Vocabulary reinforces essential knowledge standards
These activity cards are designed for maximum flexibility and can be adapted for various class periods, group sizes, and learning objectives. Teachers should preview activities and select based on student needs and available time.