The applications to pilot the new CS Principles class are due today. As folks were working on their submissions I have had several questions about books I used as a part of developing curriculum for the course.

I want by starting with a caution. Relying too much on one book runs the risk of locking in your curriculum. The course is most powerful when you have the flexibility to adapt what you are doing to where the students interest point. Relying on only one book you run the risk of robbing them of this experience.

Also, you as the teacher need to be driving your course. Obviously we need materials to fill in gaps in our own knowledge, but you ultimately need to develop these materials to meet your students where they are and pull them into the course.

So, now that I have warned you, here is my partial  list of books I used over the past two years.

• CS Principles Bookshelf
• Blown to Bits
• also Tubes

I am curious, what books have you all been using? Anything unexpected?

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Our local CSTA chapter recently signed up for Oreillys User Community. If you are a member of a local CSTA chapter (and you should be - its free people) this is a service that might be helpful for your chapter.

From their website: If you run a user group, Meetup, professional association, or other technology group, OReilly Communities can provide you with:

• Review copies of OReilly, Microsoft Press, Pragmatic, No Starch, and SitePoint products
• Donations of books and other promo items

Hope this helps!

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