Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. Share Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. with FacebookShare Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. with Twitter
Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. Share Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. with FacebookShare Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. with Twitter
Encourage students by reminding them that they can become great at computer science through hard work, even if they’ve gotten a 1 or a score lower than they’re comfortable with on the AP test, or if they are not currently a star student. Share Encourage students by reminding them that they can become great at computer science through hard work, even if they’ve gotten a 1 or a score lower than they’re comfortable with on the AP test, or if they are not currently a star student. with FacebookShare Encourage students by reminding them that they can become great at computer science through hard work, even if they’ve gotten a 1 or a score lower than they’re comfortable with on the AP test, or if they are not currently a star student. with Twitter
Have students work in small groups to solve logic puzzles so they develop algorithmic thinking and good problem-solving habits. Share Have students work in small groups to solve logic puzzles so they develop algorithmic thinking and good problem-solving habits. with FacebookShare Have students work in small groups to solve logic puzzles so they develop algorithmic thinking and good problem-solving habits. with Twitter
Encourage students to work hard and carefully by choosing exemplary or illustrative student work to review and revise with the whole class. Share Encourage students to work hard and carefully by choosing exemplary or illustrative student work to review and revise with the whole class. with FacebookShare Encourage students to work hard and carefully by choosing exemplary or illustrative student work to review and revise with the whole class. with Twitter
Break down lengthy or elaborate processes into discrete steps that students can perform sequentially. This strategy can be an important tool for success. Share Break down lengthy or elaborate processes into discrete steps that students can perform sequentially. This strategy can be an important tool for success. with FacebookShare Break down lengthy or elaborate processes into discrete steps that students can perform sequentially. This strategy can be an important tool for success. with Twitter
Start and end class with a short assessment by using daily warm-ups and exit slips; this will maximize instruction time and help you track student progress, plus it will validate the students’ efforts Share Start and end class with a short assessment by using daily warm-ups and exit slips; this will maximize instruction time and help you track student progress, plus it will validate the students’ efforts with FacebookShare Start and end class with a short assessment by using daily warm-ups and exit slips; this will maximize instruction time and help you track student progress, plus it will validate the students’ efforts with Twitter
Give students an accurate sense of their own understanding by requiring them to revise and elaborate answers or work that are nearly—but not entirely—correct. Share Give students an accurate sense of their own understanding by requiring them to revise and elaborate answers or work that are nearly—but not entirely—correct. with FacebookShare Give students an accurate sense of their own understanding by requiring them to revise and elaborate answers or work that are nearly—but not entirely—correct. with Twitter
Encourage students to engage critically with the source and justification of knowledge by modeling an inquisitive nature. Share Encourage students to engage critically with the source and justification of knowledge by modeling an inquisitive nature. with FacebookShare Encourage students to engage critically with the source and justification of knowledge by modeling an inquisitive nature. with Twitter
When talking through your thought process with students, check in with them to ensure they’re following along, adapt to their needs, and show that you care. Share When talking through your thought process with students, check in with them to ensure they’re following along, adapt to their needs, and show that you care. with FacebookShare When talking through your thought process with students, check in with them to ensure they’re following along, adapt to their needs, and show that you care. with Twitter
Start the day with students pair programming and then split them up; it makes later collaboration natural and reduces frustration. Share Start the day with students pair programming and then split them up; it makes later collaboration natural and reduces frustration. with FacebookShare Start the day with students pair programming and then split them up; it makes later collaboration natural and reduces frustration. with Twitter
Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. Share Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. with FacebookShare Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. with Twitter
If your school lacks the resources necessary to hold a practice exam, consider talking to a local college or university for help. Share If your school lacks the resources necessary to hold a practice exam, consider talking to a local college or university for help. with FacebookShare If your school lacks the resources necessary to hold a practice exam, consider talking to a local college or university for help. with Twitter
If your CS course requires supplemental resources, consider applying for a grant from the government or from interested businesses. Share If your CS course requires supplemental resources, consider applying for a grant from the government or from interested businesses. with FacebookShare If your CS course requires supplemental resources, consider applying for a grant from the government or from interested businesses. with Twitter
Consider allowing students to submit assignments electronically to save paper. Share Consider allowing students to submit assignments electronically to save paper. with FacebookShare Consider allowing students to submit assignments electronically to save paper. with Twitter
In AP CS courses, encourage students to pay attention to examples provided in problem statements, as these often illustrate special cases and can help elucidate the correct approach. Share In AP CS courses, encourage students to pay attention to examples provided in problem statements, as these often illustrate special cases and can help elucidate the correct approach. with FacebookShare In AP CS courses, encourage students to pay attention to examples provided in problem statements, as these often illustrate special cases and can help elucidate the correct approach. with Twitter
To prepare students for the AP CS A exam, make in-class assessments as similar to the final AP exam as possible. Share To prepare students for the AP CS A exam, make in-class assessments as similar to the final AP exam as possible. with FacebookShare To prepare students for the AP CS A exam, make in-class assessments as similar to the final AP exam as possible. with Twitter
Hold regular lab sessions to ensure that you can given students immediate feedback as they code. Share Hold regular lab sessions to ensure that you can given students immediate feedback as they code. with FacebookShare Hold regular lab sessions to ensure that you can given students immediate feedback as they code. with Twitter
To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. Share To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. with FacebookShare To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. with Twitter
To show that algorithm design is difficult, have students write algorithms, exchange their work, and then attempt to execute each others instructions. Share To show that algorithm design is difficult, have students write algorithms, exchange their work, and then attempt to execute each others instructions. with FacebookShare To show that algorithm design is difficult, have students write algorithms, exchange their work, and then attempt to execute each others instructions. with Twitter