Exploring computer science @ NEHS

Exploring Computer Science (ECS) aims to empower students to create authentic artifacts* and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. We will take a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, web development, design, and data. No previous computer science experience is required.

*Artifacts: Your own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices.

Standards

The Exploring Computer Science curriculum was developed around a framework of both computer science content and computational practice. This combination of both content and practices provides students with a sense of what computer scientists do. ECS is aligned with both the K-12 Computer Science Framework and the CSTA Computer Science Standards.

CTE (Career & Technical Education) Pathway

ECS is the introductory class in the Programming & Software Development CTE Pathway at NEHS. CTE Pathways allow you to demonstrate a topic specialization that you undertook in high school, akin to a major in college. More information on this pathway can be found here.

I will hold office hours after school on Monday & Friday, 3:30-4:30pm. (Please note that I may not stay if nobody is here by 4pm, unless you have already talked to me about a time.). You are welcome to come in to get help or just work on homework for any class. If students have missing assignments, they are highly encouraged to attend Office Hours to ensure they complete the course successfully. 

If you cannot meet in person for any reason, I can meet with you in my Zoom office hour link that is posted on the class home page. I can respond more quickly if you send me a message in Canvas when you would like to meet.

I want to help you be successful! If something is not working for you in this class, please communicate with me. This can be a face-to-face conversation, a written note or email/Canvas message.

Standards

The Exploring Computer Science curriculum was developed around a framework of both computer science content and computational practice. This combination of both content and practices provides students with a sense of what computer scientists do. ECS is aligned with both the K-12 Computer Science Framework and the CSTA Computer Science Standards.

CTE (Career & Technical Education) Pathway

ECS is the introductory class in the Programming & Software Development CTE Pathway at NEHS. CTE Pathways allow you to demonstrate a topic specialization that you undertook in high school, akin to a major in college. More information on this pathway can be found at https://sites.google.com/4j.lane.edu/csnehs/.

Credit

Upon successful completion of ECS A & B, students will receive .5 Math and .5 Elective (“Other”) credits.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• ECS Notebook (MANDATORY)

• Student Laptop

• Pencils (no pens please)

Absences

• Regular attendance is the greatest contributor to success in this class.

• When the bell rings to begin class, you should be in your seat and getting to work, not running through the door, etc. 

• I will take attendance sometime within the first five minutes of class. I try to do so within the first couple of minutes if possible. If you enter class later than the first ten minutes, you will be marked as very late.  

• If you are late but enter class before or while I am taking attendance, I will simply mark you tardy.

• If you leave class for more than 10 minutes, I will change your attendance to early departure.

• To excuse an absence, parents should call the school (541-790-4459) as soon as possible on the day of the absence. 

• If you will be absent for more than 2 days, please message me in Canvas so we can create a long term plan to support your learning. 

• Work for every class is posted to Canvas, it is the student’s responsibility to check Canvas and then communicate with me if they need clarification or help.

Turning In Work

• Some assignments will be submitted on Canvas, and some will be turned in in class. There will be a variety of team projects and individual assignments. Some class presentations will be necessary; these may be recorded on video beforehand if that is more convenient and comfortable for you.

Late Work

• • In order to be prepared for class, all students are strongly encouraged to complete assignments on a daily basis and to work closely with me if they encounter issues that require extended time. All work for each unit of study must be turned in by the final date of the unit. Your grade for late assignments will be deducted by 5% for each day it is late, unless prior arrangements have been made with me. Please work with me regarding IEP and 504 accommodations to ensure this class is meeting your needs.   

Food and Drink

• In order to preserve a clean and critter-free environment, food and drink will not be allowed in classrooms. Please plan ahead and ensure your breakfast and lunch plans include enough time to eat before coming to class. Water is the only exception to this rule.  

Cell Phones

• In accordance with NEHS policy, cell phones should neither be seen nor heard in the classroom unless prearranged with the teacher. The first time I become aware of your phone, I will give a verbal reminder of our policy. If I see your phone a second time, I will write an office referral and you will be required to surrender your phone for the duration of the school day. Second and third referrals can result in a strict cell phone contract with administration and possible suspension. 

Be Prepared!

• Ensure you charge your laptop every night. Bring your laptop and charger everyday to class. This is especially important in this class, as we will be using laptops nearly every day.

• When the bell rings, put cell phones and headphones away in your pocket or backpack-if you need either of them for class, your teacher will tell you. 

• Have a pen or a pencil on your desk. 

• Get out any other materials your teacher has asked you to have for the day (notebook/INB, textbook, planner, etc.). 

• Turn in any homework or late work you have due-make sure you are following your teacher’s submission guidelines! 

• When your teacher returns work to you, keep it in a designated folder or section of your binder until you confirm the correct grade has been entered into the grade book on Canvas and you no longer need to reference the material for tests or projects (at the end of the unit at the earliest-check with your teacher if you can recycle work/handouts). 

• If/when you have work in progress that you will be coming back to either in class or at home (homework, worksheets, etc.), keep it in a designated folder or section of your binder separate from your returned work, notes, etc. so you know where to find it when you need it.

Plagiarism and Integrity (Honor Code)

• One of the key tenets of Highlander PRIDE is to act with integrity.  Plagiarism is submitting work that you did not write yourself. This includes copying work from a peer (outside the scope of an assignment), cutting and pasting information from the internet or a classmate without a citation and the use of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to write content. With teacher permission, AI can be used to help generate and organize ideas as well as help with grammatical revisions, it cannot be used to compose final products. 

• Assignments that are determined to be plagiarized will receive no credit. Students who submit plagiarized work will also receive a referral for violating our academic honesty policy.

• Please do your own thinking and writing. If you are struggling with an assignment, please come to office hours or make an appointment with me. 

Free Speech

• In this class we may discuss controversial and sensitive topics and issues. I know that our students, families, and community members hold very different beliefs and convictions; In this class, we welcome and embrace that diversity of belief and opinion.  Students will never be graded or judged on the content of their opinions. My goal is to encourage a free and civil discourse, ensuring that our classroom is a safe place for all students HOWEVER, HATEFUL, DEROGATORY AND HARRASSING LANGUAGE AND ACTIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

STUDENTS CAN EXPECT THE TEACHER TO: 

• Provide each week’s assignments in a timely manner.

• Be respectful of everyone in the room. If you feel I am being disrespectful to you or your classmates, I encourage you to bring this to my attention in a respectful manner as soon as possible by e-mail or Canvas message, or by talking to me privately.    

• Return your assignments as soon as possible. Just like I expect you to complete your work in a timely manner, you can expect the same of me.  

• Be available. If you need help with anything involving or not involving this class, I welcome you to come and talk to me. Office hours are posted at the top of this document and I am available via e-mail.

THE TEACHER EXPECTS THE STUDENTS TO: 

• Be on time to class! 

• Stay engaged. Be aware of your distractions and try to minimize them.

  • Close other tabs on your computer.

  • Put your phone out of sight during class and have it turned on silent mode. Consider using “airplane mode” during class. 

• Be conscious of distracting others.

Grades will be updated weekly. Please check your grade regularly in order to ensure we agree about your work. You should contact me at wilson_a@4j.lane.edu if you believe that there is any discrepancy.

You have the option of having the course graded using traditional letter grades, or Pass/No Pass. Your grade will be a letter grade unless you email me at wilson_a@4j.lane.edu to let me know that you wish to get a Pass/No Pass grade. 

HOW YOUR GRADE IS CALCULATED

Your grade is made up of the following components:

• Notebook & Weekly Discussions (15%)

• Online Portfolio (30%)

• One-pagers & Mini-projects (15%)

• Unit projects (20%)

• End-of-unit Mastery Checks (20%)

End-of-term grade calculation is as follows:

83% – 100%          A

70% – 82.9%         B

50% – 69.9%         C

35% – 49.9%      D

0% – 34.9%           NP

The Oregon University System has notified all high schools that only courses in which a student receives a grade of “C-“ or higher will count toward the college prep credit requirement.

Note: Grades entered on a transcript cannot be changed unless it is an incomplete or an administrative error. 

Checking Grades Online

Your grades will be updated regularly in Canvas. The Canvas gradebook doesn’t update reliably to Synergy, so please do NOT access Synergy for your grades. 

On your Canvas Dashboard, there is a [ View Grades ] button on the right hand side of the screen that will show you your grades for all of your classes.

Students will practice “Employability Skills” to develop a strong work ethic 

● Leadership 

● Ability to work in a team 

● Communication (written, verbal, and imagery) 

● Problem-Solving challenges 

● Analytical/Quantitative practices 

● Technical Knowledge and Ability