Unit 9 - Create PT Prep ('24-'25)

This lesson contains a series of activities you can use to help students familiarize themselves with Create Performance Task and how it is scored. This lesson is also designed to introduce the nuances of the Create PT, and begin to provide some answers to the questions that will inevitably arise. The Create PT is in many ways straightforward: you complete a self-directed programming project and respond to prompts about your program and process. As you dig into the details of the task, however, you quickly come across some of the nuances of individual components of the task and how they're scored.

This lesson uses the Create PT Survival Guide to help students narrow down and brainstorm ideas for their actual project. The lesson concludes by providing students with resources to make a plan to complete the task starting in the next lesson.

It is finally time for students to take on the Create Performance Task. For a total of 9 class hours, students should work on their projects with only types of teacher support allowed (essentially: Advise on process, don’t influence or evaluate ideas). Students may also work with a collaborative partner in in development of their program - written responses must be done on their own.

The lesson includes reminders about how you can interact with students while they are working on their projects, and suggestions about time line. The Create PT requires a minimum of 9 hours of class time. At the end, students will submit their program code, program video, and personalized project reference through their AP digital portfolio.

How can I employ effective strategies to excel in the AP Computer Science Principles written exam?

On Day 1 of the lesson, students explore the exam format, learn test-taking and annotation strategies, and finally craft responses to two sample Performance Task prompts, specifically addressing #1 "Program Design, Function, and Purpose" and #2(a) "Algorithm Development." Students should be prepared with completed Personalized Project Reference (PPR) sheets. The lesson emphasizes discussions, annotations, and writing exercises to build confidence and strategic skills for the upcoming exam.

On Day 2 of this lesson, the teacher models the day 1 strategies by annotating a sample performance task question. Then, students begin the second half of the mock exam while the teacher facilitates, encourages, and helps clarify any confusion. Finally, students participate in quick partner and whole class review to reinforce collaboration, acknowledge challenges, and make suggestions for future sessions.