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Functions with Parameters

Eleventh graders deepen their programming with functions that take parameters and return values — the building blocks of reusable, well-organized code.

Grade 11Programming55 minutes1 class periodUse → Modify → CreateExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain a parameter.
  • ✓Explain a return value.
  • ✓Reuse a function.
  • ✓Write clean code.
Essential Question

A great function is like a machine: you feed it inputs (parameters) and it gives back an output (return value). How do they work?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

Functions with Parameters Check

Project each item and have students answer about parameters and return values.

💻 Understand functions with parametersTry it
Answer each question about functions.
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 — Inputs and Outputs

6 min

A function is a machine: inputs (parameters) in, output (return) out. How?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a function call.
  • Ask about its inputs.
  • Set up.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Consider.
  • Get ready.
2

Unplugged — Unplug It

11 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Act as a “function” taking inputs.
  • Return an output.
  • Reuse with new inputs.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Take input.
  • Return it.
  • Reuse.
3

Use — Trace It

16 min

Students use.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Functions with Parameters Check.
  • Note parameter vs. return.
  • Trace a call.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer.
  • Note it.
  • Trace.
4

Modify — Modify

13 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Add a parameter to a function.
  • Return a value.
  • Reuse it.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Add it.
  • Return it.
  • Reuse.
5

Create — Create

9 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Write a function with a parameter.
  • Return a result.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Write it.
  • Return it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (Level 3) and ISTE Standards.

CSTA
3A-AP-16

Design reusable functions.

CSTA
3A-AP-14

Use parameters and return values.

CSTA
3B-AP-14

Modularize with functions.

ISTE
5

Computational Thinker.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Function diagram cards.
  • Sentence frame: “A parameter is ___.”
  • Use a worked example.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with input vs. output.
  • Use one example.
  • Trace a simple call.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Use multiple parameters.
  • Return complex data.
  • Refactor repeated code.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 💻A coding environment
  • 💻Functions with Parameters Check
  • 📄Code handouts
  • ✏️Pens
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

functiona reusable block of codeparameteran input to a functionargumentthe value passed inreturn valuethe output sent backreuseto use againmodularbuilt from partscallto run a functionscopewhere a variable is 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?
An input a function receives to work with.
QUESTION 2
What is a return value?
The output a function sends back after running.
QUESTION 3
Why are functions with parameters useful?
They can be reused with different inputs.

Create: build a function.

Have students write a function that takes a parameter and returns a value. A printable functions sheet 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.

🃏 Functions with ParametersFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

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

📝 Functions with ParametersQuiz
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.

🖨️ Functions with ParametersPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: argument, call, function, modular, parameter, return value, reuse, scope
  1. the value passed in
  2. the output sent back
  3. an input to a function
  4. a reusable block of code
  5. to use again
  6. built from parts
  7. to run a function
  8. where a variable is used

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a parameter?
  2. What is a return value?
  3. Why are functions with parameters useful?
Answer key — Part A: 1) argument · 2) return value · 3) parameter · 4) function · 5) reuse · 6) modular · 7) call · 8) scope
Part B: 1) An input a function receives to work with. 2) The output a function sends back after running. 3) They can be reused with different inputs.