Python Programming for Middle School
Tuesdays 6:30–7:25 pm CST, Spring 2025
Textbook and References
Ref: OpenStax Python Book
Dr. Xue’s Contact Information:
drxue@xuemath.org
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Xue.
Session 2
Week 1: Solving Linear Equations and Quadratic Equations (Mar 18)
Colab Code: Python Mar. 18, 2025.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Week 2: Solving Linear Equations and Quadratic Equations (Mar 25)
We talked about completing the square, the discriminant, and triangle area formula
Week 3: Solving Linear Equations and Quadratic Equations (Apr 8)
Week 4: Solving Linear Equations and Quadratic Equations (Apr 15)
Week 5: Plotting Linear and Quadratic Functions (Apr 22)
Session 1
Week 1: Introduction (Jan 14)
Lecture Notes: Introduction to Computers, Programming, Python, and Google Colab
GCFGlobal Tutorial: Introduction to Programming
I especially liked the analogy that compares HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to the skeleton, muscles, and brain.
Code Cells and Markdown Cells
Your First Experience with Python
Homework: Review
Optional Homework: OpenStax Secs 1.1–1.4
Optional Homework: ChatGPT and Python Programming
Ask ChatGPT to generate a Python code to plot f(x) = x^2 + 1 with |x| < 5. Implement the code in Google Colab.
Week 2: Data Types, Variables, Expressions (Jan 21)
Lecture Notes: PDF
Please contact Wayzata Community Ed for the passcode. Expiration Date: 2025-02-04
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Homework: Exercises in the lecture notes.
Further Reading: Learning with Python 3 book Chapter 2
Further Reading: OpenStax book Chapter 2
If you want to dive deeper: More String Operations | String Slicing Exercises
Week 3: Turtle, Polygons, and Loops (Jan 28)
Reference 1: ColabTurtle by Tolga Atam (tolgaatam)
Reference 2: ColabTurtlePlus by Larry Riddle
Lecture Notes: Coming soon.
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Homework: Exercise 1–6 on page 18 of the textbook, without using functions.
Week 4: Turtle, Shapes, and Functions (Feb 4)
Colab Code: Python Feb 4, 2025.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Homework: Define a triangle function and draw a spiral of triangles.
Week 5: Lists and Arithmetic Fun (Feb 11)
Colab Code: Python Feb 11, 2025.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Week 6: Conditionals and Finding Factors 1 (Feb 18)
Colab Code: Python Feb 18, 2025.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Week 7: Conditionals and Finding Factors 2 (Feb 25)
Colab Code: Python Feb 25, 2025.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.
Week 8: Turtle and Conditionals, Input (Mar 4)
Colab Code: Python Mar 4, 2025.ipynb, Input Example.ipynb
Homework: Review what we covered in class and ensure you can implement everything we discussed in Google Colab independently.