Beginning Programming (in Python)
This course covers the fundamentals of programming in Python. Students will build several mini-games throughout the course, as well as a final capstone game. No prior knowledge is required for this course, and everybody is welcome.
Lesson 1: Getting started with Python and Replit
Week 1 Day 1 | Slides
This lesson introduces the power and flexibility of programming, with a particular focus on game making. It also covers making accounts and repls on Replit.com
Lesson 2: Functions, Variables, Variable Types, and Operators
Week 1 Day 2 | Slides
This lesson briefly introduces the concept of functions and the input
function. It also goes
over variables and the int
and str
types. The lesson covers mathematical operators
as well.
Lesson 3: Types, Logic, and Conditionals with Madlibs and Carl the Goblin
Week 2 Day 1 | Slides
This lesson covers float
and bool
and how to convert between different variable
types, and it covers logical equality comparisons, conditionals, and the importance of indentation. These
concepts are synthesized by
making a short choice-adventure game.
Lesson 4: More conditionals, comparing numbers, and variability with Carl the Goblin
Week 2 Day 2 | Slides
This lesson expands on the concept of conditionals with nested conditionals. It also introduces more
numerical comparisons and compound conditions. Finally, students learn about the concept of libraries
through the random
library.
Lesson 5: Loops and Lists (part 1)
Week 3 Day 1 | Slides
This lesson introduces doing something repeatedly in a loop
.
It also covers lists and how to iterate through a list
in a loop.
Lesson 6: Loops and Lists (part 2)
Week 3 Day 2 | Slides
This lesson dives deeper into list
and loop
.
No class. Mid-winter break
Week 4
Lesson 7 & 8: 2D Lists
Week 5 Day 1 & 2 | Slides
This lesson introduces 2D lists
and printing
lists.
Lesson 9: Dictionary
Week 6 Day 1 | Slides
This lesson introduces dictionary
and returning
value from functions.