Intro to CS Syllabus
Programming by Design: Computing, Representation, and Reasoning
Grade Level: 9th | Full Year | Modular, Inquiry-Driven, Project-Based
Course Philosophy
This course introduces students to computer science as a discipline of structured thought, grounded in reasoning, systems design, and ethical inquiry. Code is taught not as syntax but as a medium for structure, logic, and clarity.
Students move from mental models and abstraction, to pure functions and data systems, to real-world computational expression through interfaces, networks, and public work.
Units & Concepts
| Unit | Title | Framing Concept | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | The Story of Data | Programming is communication between humans and machines. | |
| 1 | Programming by Design (Racket) | A program is a structured solution to a problem. | |
| 2 | Data Science and Representation (Pyret) | Data is a constructed lens on the world. | |
| 3 | Systems and Control (Python + EarSketch) | Programs model dynamic systems through control flow and state. | |
| 4 | Interface and Communication (HTML + CSS) | Code is interpretation—computational ideas need an audience. | |
| 5 | Code in the Wild (APIs + Jupyter) | Code lives in systems, documents itself, and pulls from the web. | |
| 6 | Networks, Protocols, and Power | The internet is a system of abstractions that shapes global power. | |
| 7 | Capstone Projects | What can you build, explain, and defend? | |
Toolchain & Language Progression
| Phase | Tools & Languages | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 0 | Markdown, terminal, folder hygiene | Naming, abstraction, structure |
| Unit 1 | Racket (HtDP) | Functional reasoning, recursion |
| Unit 2 | Pyret (Bootstrap:Data Science) | Tables, filtering, inference |
| Unit 3 | Python + EarSketch | Loops, state, simulation, systems |
| Unit 4 | HTML + CSS | Interpretation, interface, audience |
| Unit 5 | Jupyter + REST APIs | Documentation, reproducibility, real data |
| Unit 6 | Terminal, IP/DNS/HTTP simulation | Protocols, metadata, infrastructure |
| Unit 7 | Open choice | Mixed tools, student agency, integration |
Threaded Routines & Practices
- Computing in the News – weekly current event literacy
- What’s Going On in This Graph? – visual data interpretation
- Journaling + Code Pairing – reflection on process and precision
- Meta-discussion – regular “thinking about thinking” spaces
- File Discipline – consistent naming and structural habits
Assessment Structure
Assessments focus on reasoning, clarity, and self-awareness:
- Diagrams, contracts, and debug tasks
- Peer critiques and code reviews
- Notebooks, reflection writing, and system modeling
- Capstone: final artifact, documentation, and defense
Pathway Alignment
This course is not isolated—it’s a gateway into systems-level computational fluency.
| Pathway | Emphasis |
|---|---|
| AP CS A | Prepares students for structured OOP and formal algorithms |
| Data Science Capstone | Builds toward reproducible, investigatory computing |
| Algebra 2 + Computing | Strengthens function modeling and logic across contexts |
Students exit this course with transferable habits for math, writing, and interdisciplinary inquiry—not just “coding skills.”
Contact
Instructor: Eric Allatta
Questions? Get in touch