To make programming fun, you have to go beyond the language and do interesting things with it. That means using libraries or tools/frameworks. Two semesters of Python will get you much further and you'll retain more students too. "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist" will not get your students into interesting applications yet. So I strongly suggest you cover "How to Think ..." in 1 semester and spend the next doing some fun projects such as web applications using Zope or game using PyGame, etc. You can also put some of the more advance stuff in "How to Think ..." in the second semester and start a project during the first semester. Scheme is a great language but it is more "academic" than Python and does not seem to have as strong a pull as Python in the industry. So Python will definitely catch more attention. For instance compare the two: CS101. Do you want to learn a programming language, Scheme, taught at MIT? ... CS101. Do you want to learn a programming language, Python, used by Google and Yahoo! and Industrial Light & Magic and NASA? ... There are success stories in Scheme. If you want to use Scheme, you might want to check out http://www.schemers.org/Documents/FAQ/, but I think most of your potential students will not identify with the software listed there. For Python's success stories, go to http://pythonology.org/success. Hope this helps. - yihsiang -----Original Message----- From: edu-sig-bounces@python.org [mailto:edu-sig-bounces@python.org] On Behalf Of Joseph Ehlers Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 8:48 PM To: edu-sig@python.org Subject: [Edu-sig] Introductory high school programming class - Python orTeachScheme I'm trying to propose an introductory computer programming class for high school students. I do not have a programming background so I will be learning the language just like the students. Through my research I came across Python. It sounds great - easy to learn, teaches thinking skills, and is fun. I was set to go with Python then I came across the TeachScheme project which also sounds great - it too is easy to learn, teaches thinking skills and comes with lots of curriculum. I have a few questions and I'm hoping this group can shed some light on this issue. 1. Is one better than the other (Python vs. TeachScheme) to teach high school novices programming skills, thinking skills, language, and keeping their attention so I can then have an audience for a second, more advanced programming class? 2. I've looked at "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist", it looks very doable for a novice and "Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner" (Premier Press) looks like a lot of fun. Is there any other curriculum for high school students out there? 3. Is it possible to teach a semester of TeachScheme and a semester of Python or is that overkill on the basics and not doing justice to either program? I appreciate your assistance.