How Parents can Reach the Teacher

Please note that I believe very strongly in student responsibility. I am not likely to call home if students fail to do homework once or twice. Please read this entire classroom management plan so that all will be aware of the usual schedule of homework and tests for the course. I rely on the parents’ Internet access to student grades to keep parents aware of the academic progress of their son/daughter. If this is not enough, parents should feel free to contact me.

I may be reached in the following ways:

1. Students should be able to design and implement computer-based solutions to problems in a variety of application areas.

2. Students should use and implement commonly-used algorithms and data structures.

3. Students should be able to develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems.

4. Students should be able to code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. Students are expected to be familiar with and be able to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset.

  Grading Policy

Current grade progress may be obtained at any time over the Internet via a secure server.

This classroom management plan is not meant to be all encompassing. As the year progresses, there may be a need for additional assignments or modifications to expectations. If such should occur, I will provide an addendum to add to this plan.

You are expected to follow the general rules of the school and common courtesy. (That means, give respect and you'll get it back.)

1. Make sure that you are in the room when the bell rings. (Consequence: One 30-minute detention from 3:15 to 3:45)

2. You will be expected to sit in your assigned seat and to have all necessary materials with you when you arrive--NO EXCUSES. (Consequence: not allowed to go to locker and removal to office if refusal to sit where assigned.)

3. Nothing is to be thrown or tossed across the room (including "shooting" stuff into the trash basket). (Consequence: 1 or more detentions, or more severe depending on exact situation)

4. Class ends at the bell. You will be expected to work and remain seated until the bell rings. (Consequence: One 30-minute detention from 3:15 to 3:45)

5. The book that you are issued is the one that you will return at the end of the year. The book is to be returned in the same condition as when it was issued. (Consequence: see student handbook)

6. Do not bring candy, food, games, toys, MP3 players, magazines, newspapers, novels, photographs, or any other form of distraction to class. That includes items that you are selling for fund-raisers. (Consequence: If I see them, I take them and you may retrieve them from the office at a later time.)

7. Make up tests may be taken during study halls or after school--NOT DURING CLASS TIME! (Consequence: loss of grade unless extenuating circumstances can be proven)

8. I do not give many restroom passes. Unless it is a bonafide emergency, don’t ask for one. All restroom privileges are at my discretion. There will be no passes given to lockers, etc....don’t bother to ask for one. (The clinic is the only exception.)

9. Cheating on quizzes or tests will not be tolerated. I will not say anything to you if I see you, but I will document what I saw and will give a zero score for the work. Then I will warn you that I will be calling your home to discuss the matter. (Consequence: selfexplanatory)

Students must bring the following with them daily:

• pencils &/or pens

• their textbook

• their review guides (when needed)

• a computer and Java integrated development environment software will be available for use in the class. (A variety of free Java compilers , including the ones we use in class, can be downloaded from the Internet if students wish to use one at home.)

Review packet assignments will accompany each section in the textbook that we cover. They will be graded based on completeness and random problems chosen for correctness.

Class participation is a necessity for learning in this course. Most of the work will be hands-on, but discussion time will be needed to clarify the material. Class discussions will be based on the textbook sections assigned for that day. Students are expected to have completed the reading in advance. End-of-Section Exercises (as assigned) will be completed in class. I will specify which Exercises I will collect and which I will simply view on your monitor in class. Questions will be discussed, but not collected.

Tests will be conducted over the network. They may vary in length but, will be given a value of 100 points each by me. These will be announced in advance on the appropriate chapter web page. Students will be expected to use the review packets and other review materials provided to prepare themselves. I will go over the review packets in class the day before the test to help prepare for the test.

Programming projects will vary in frequency and point value depending on the difficulty of the project. I will provide a rubric for each so that students will know what I am looking for and how it will be graded.

The mid-term and final for this class will be projects of the student’s own design. They will be given specifications to follow and the programs will be graded with regard to how well they followed the specifications. The project may be due before the day of the assigned final due to  the amount of time needed to grade them. It is suggested that students begin their projects early in the second and fourth quarters of the course.

In addition to the graded class work, during the second semester, we will also spend a considerable amount of time going over old A.P. tests, practice materials, and responses in order to prepare for the A.P. Computer Science Exam in May. One of these practice tests will be taken for a grade which will count toward the student’s quarter grade.