Be a function

Keywords

function, functions, variable, return statement

Related to Curriculum

Understanding the concept of function and variable

Prime Target Group

For grades 7-9

Required Equipment and Material

Default functions printed

Short Description

This game introduces the concept of function. Kids can act as functions them selves and understand what the functions do.

Preparations

Group in pairs

Script

Be a function round 1: Do things

Player 1 gets to be function with some name and rule.
Player 2 tries to guess what is the rule in question.
When ready, Player 1 gets to be function and Player 2 is the one guessing.
At some point students can make their own rules.

Functions

1 Do things

Name: DoAction
Rule: When “DoAction” called, raise your hand up. Keep it there for 5 seconds. Don’t do anything else.

2 Return something

Name: MyFunction
Rule: When “MyFunction” called, say “You called function MyFunction. Thank you, your number is 2”. Don’t do anything else.

3 With variable

Name: HelloName (insert any name to name)
Rule: When “HelloName” is called with some name, say “Hello {name}, nice to meet you.” If no name is given say “Hello, nice to meet you.”

4 Math function

Name: TakeNumber x (insert number to x) Rule: When “TakeNumber” is called with some number, multiply it with two and add 1 to it. Say the result of the calculation. If “TakeNumber” is called without number do nothing.

5 Random

Name: GiveNumber x (insert number to x)
Rule: When “GiveNumber” is called with some number or not, return any number you want to.

6 Free - make your own

Name: Pick a name you want to
Rule: Make a rule of your own.

Questions to think about

How would you describe function - what it is?
What is the difference between functions in math and functions in programming?
Think what kind of functions you had in the exercise - how did they differ from one another?

License