< Course E (2021)

Lesson 16: Functions with Harvester

55 minutes

Overview

In this skill-building lesson, students will use conditionals with functions to harvest crops in Harvester.

Purpose

This lesson is meant to further push students to use conditionals with functions. These puzzles are intended to increase problem solving and critical thinking skills.

CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017)
    • 1B-AP-08 - Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine which is the most appropriate.
    • 1B-AP-11 - Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.

Agenda

Objectives

Students will be able to:
  • Recognize when a function could help to simplify a program.
  • Use pre-determined functions to complete commonly repeated tasks.

Preparation

  • Play through the puzzles to find any potential problem areas for your class.
  • Make sure every student has a reflection journal.

Vocabulary

  • Conditionals - Statements that only run under certain conditions.
  • Function - A piece of code that you can easily call over and over again.

Teaching Guide

Warm Up (10 minutes)

Introduction

At this point, your students should already be introduced to functions. Take this time to have them discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using functions in a program. Either have them pair-share or discuss as a class. Try using examples of hard or easy puzzles in either Artist or Bee.

Ask the class:

  • When would you use a function?
  • Why does a function help to simplify your program?
  • Do you think functions make programming easier or harder? Why?

Main Activity (30 minutes)

Online Puzzles

Some puzzles will have a function pre-declared for the students to fill in. It may be helpful for the students to write the entire program without a function first, then determine where a function would be useful in the program.

It's important to make sure that every student is completing each puzzle with a dark green dot. If some of your students are struggling to simplify code and use functions, set up teams of expert students within your class to go around and answer questions.

Don't forget to provide pencils and paper to help students sketch out possible solutions.

Wrap Up (15 minutes)

Reflection

Prompts:

  • What makes you realize a function could help your program?
  • How do "while" loops and "if / else" statements help your program?
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