Program Inputs and Outputs Activity Cards Collection

This collection provides flexible activity cards to support the AP CSP Day 5 - Program Inputs and Outputs lesson and other related activities throughout the unit.

🎯 Icebreaker Activity Cards

Card #1: Input-Output Matching

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Cards with program inputs and outputs

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups match program inputs with corresponding outputs
2. Discuss the reasoning behind each match
3. Rotate leadership every 5 minutes

Learning Goals:

• **Practice logical reasoning
• **Understand program components
• **Develop questioning skills

Card #2: Program Component Guess

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Program descriptions

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups read program descriptions
2. Identify possible inputs and outputs
3. Present findings

Learning Goals:

• **Identify program components
• **Understand input-output relationships
• **Practice analysis skills

Card #3: Real-World Program Brainstorm

Time: 12 minutes
Group Size: Any
Materials: Paper, pens

Activity Instructions:

1. Students brainstorm real-world programs and their inputs/outputs
2. Share ideas with the class
3. Discuss which inputs/outputs are most common

Learning Goals:

• **Think creatively about program uses
• **Understand program components
• **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:

1. Groups read program descriptions
2. Identify inputs, processing steps, and outputs
3. Discuss how they interact
4. Present findings

Learning Goals:

• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction
• **Practice analysis skills

Card #5: Problem-Solving with Inputs and Outputs

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Problem scenarios

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups discuss problem scenarios
2. Develop program solutions focusing on inputs and outputs
3. Present solutions

Learning Goals:

• **Apply program knowledge to real-world problems
• **Develop problem-solving skills
• **Understand input-output interaction

Card #6: Creative Expression with Inputs and Outputs

Time: 18 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Creative expression prompts

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups work on creative expression prompts focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Develop program ideas
3. Present ideas

Learning Goals:

• **Understand creative expression through programs
• **Develop creative thinking skills
• **Practice program design focusing on inputs and outputs

🎨 Creative Expression Cards

Card #7: Program Mind Map

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Paper, markers, sticky notes

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups create a mind map of program inputs and outputs
2. Include:
   • **Common inputs
   • **Common outputs
   • **Interaction examples

Learning Goals:

• **Visualize program components
• **Understand input-output interaction
• **Develop concept mapping skills

Card #8: Program Reflection Worksheet

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Worksheet, pens

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups complete the worksheet
2. Discuss:
   • **What did you learn about program inputs and outputs?
   • **How do they interact within a program?
   • **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:

1. Groups work on a program design prompt focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Develop a basic program idea
3. Present the idea

Learning Goals:

• **Practice program design focusing on inputs and outputs
• **Understand component interaction
• **Develop creative thinking skills

🤝 Collaboration Cards

Card #10: Collaborative Program Analysis

Time: 25 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Program descriptions

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups analyze a program description focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Identify components and their interaction
3. Present findings

Learning Goals:

• **Collaborative analysis skills
• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction

Card #11: Group Program Design

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Design prompts

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups design a basic program focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Identify components and their interaction
3. Present the design

Learning Goals:

• **Collaborative program design
• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction

Card #12: Program Improvement Suggestions

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Existing program descriptions

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups review existing program descriptions focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Suggest improvements
3. Present suggestions

Learning Goals:

• **Critical thinking about programs
• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction

🚀 Innovation Challenge Cards

Card #13: Rapid Program Design

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 2-3 students
Materials: Design prompts

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups quickly design a basic program focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Focus on component interaction
3. Present the design

Learning Goals:

• **Rapid program design skills
• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction

Card #14: Program Function Puzzle

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Puzzle pieces with program components

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups assemble a program function puzzle focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Match components and discuss their interaction
3. Present matches and explanations

Learning Goals:

• **Identify program components
• **Understand component interaction
• **Develop problem-solving skills

Card #15: Future Program Prediction

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Future scenario cards

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups predict future program needs focusing on inputs and outputs
2. Develop program ideas
3. Present ideas

Learning Goals:

• **Predict future computing needs
• **Develop program design skills focusing on inputs and outputs
• **Understand component interaction

📝 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 inputs and outputs 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.