Functions Lesson Plan: Computational Thinking

*Click to open and customize your own copy of the Functions Lesson Plan. 

This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Functions, and supports the standard of identifying where there is potential to use a function to create a reusable computation.  Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of  projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Prompt students to think of a time they had to teach someone how to do something. Ask students: What are some ways that can help you simplify your instructions? 

Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE

• Read aloud the description on the Functions topic page.
• Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
• Assign Related Reading. Have students read one of the following articles: “Quirky Stuff” or “In Practice.” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other. 

Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS 

Assign Functions Challenge and Quiz, prompting students to apply essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.

Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND

Students express what they learned about functions while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.

• Make-a-Movie: Create a commercial promoting the benefits of using functions when coding. Remember to explain how to use them.
• Make-a-Map: Determine statements to declare functions for an everyday process, like making a sandwich. Show how you can condense any repetitive  “code.” 
• Creative Coding: Code a comic where characters discuss an example of using functions in everyday life. 

More to Explore

Run Marco: Practice coding skills in this interactive game.

Teacher Support Resources:

• Learning Activities Modifications: Strategies to meet ELL and other instructional and student needs.
• Learning Activities Support: Resources for best practices using BrainPOP.