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Functions & Parameters

Tenth graders make functions flexible with parameters and return values. You pass an argument in, the parameter receives it, the body runs, and return sends a value back to the caller. They order the flow of a function call, then write functions that take inputs and return results.

Grade 10Functions & Parameters55 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Use parameters and arguments.
  • ✓Return a value.
  • ✓Trace a function call.
  • ✓Write a reusable function.
Essential Question

How do parameters and return values make a function reusable?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Put in Order · Interactive

Order the Function Call

Project this and have students put the steps of a function call in order.

🧱 Put the steps of a function call in orderTry it
Tap the first step of a function call!
The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — One Function, Many Inputs

6 min

How could ONE function compute the area of ANY circle?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show area(5) and area(10).
  • Ask how one function handles both.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Guess.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Functions & Parameters

13 min

Students use the idea.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Order the Function Call.
  • Order the steps.
  • Note argument → parameter → return.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Change the Inputs

14 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Call the function with a new argument.
  • Add a second parameter.
  • Use the returned value in math.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Call.
  • Add.
  • Use.
4

Create — Write a Function

15 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Write a function with 1–2 parameters.
  • Return a computed result.
  • Call it with 3 different inputs.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Write.
  • Return.
  • Call.
5

Reflect — Reflect

7 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Say what a parameter is.
  • Say what return does.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and the ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
3A-AP-14

Use procedures with parameters to reduce complexity.

CSTA
3A-AP-17

Decompose problems into smaller components.

CSTA
3A-AP-16

Combine control structures to express ideas in code.

ISTE
5 Computational Thinker

Build reusable solutions.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Act out a value going in and out.
  • Label argument vs parameter.
  • Trace a call aloud.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Use one parameter.
  • Return a simple value.
  • Use a call template.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add default parameter values.
  • Return multiple values.
  • Pass a list as an argument.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🧱Call-step cards
  • 💻Order the Function Call
  • 🐍Python / editor
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

functiona named, reusable block of codeparametera variable in the function definitionargumentthe value you pass in when callingreturnsends a value back to the callercallerthe code that calls the functionbodythe code inside the functionreusableusable with many different inputsscopewhere a variable can be used
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is a parameter?
A variable in the function definition that receives a value.
QUESTION 2
What does return do?
Sends a value back to the caller.
QUESTION 3
Why use parameters?
So one function works with many different inputs.

Reflect: functions & parameters.

Have students write a function with one parameter that returns a result. A printable functions worksheet is in the Computer Science library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 CS Functions and Parameters (Grade 10)Flip
Card 1
Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 CS Functions and Parameters (Grade 10)Quiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ CS Functions and Parameters (Grade 10)Print
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: argument, body, caller, function, parameter, return, reusable, scope
  1. the code that calls the function
  2. where a variable can be used
  3. the code inside the function
  4. a variable in the function definition
  5. sends a value back to the caller
  6. usable with many different inputs
  7. the value you pass in when calling
  8. a named, reusable block of code

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a parameter?
  2. What does return do?
  3. Why use parameters?
Answer key — Part A: 1) caller · 2) scope · 3) body · 4) parameter · 5) return · 6) reusable · 7) argument · 8) function
Part B: 1) A variable in the function definition that receives a value. 2) Sends a value back to the caller. 3) So one function works with many different inputs.