Have you ever wondered how computers understand what we want them to do? One of the coolest things in computer science is learning how to create new commands and add your own words to a computer language. Most computer languages have about 100 basic words or commands. The real magic happens when you use these basic words to create your own new commands!
Think about learning a sport like basketball. First, you learn the basics, like dribbling, doing a layup, and grabbing a rebound. Once you know these moves, you can combine them into more complex plays, like a “pick and roll” or a “give and go.” When everyone on the team knows these plays, they can work together smoothly.
In computer programming, once you teach a computer how to do something using a series of commands, you can give that action a name. This makes it easy to use the same action again later. When you do this, it’s called a function.
When you program with blocks, functions are super helpful for actions you want to repeat. For example, if you’ve written code to draw a square, you can turn this into a function called “create a square.” Now, you have a new block that you can use whenever you want to draw a square.
You can combine simple shapes to make more complex designs. In the next puzzle, you’ll find that the code you wrote to make a circle is now a function. This function can create circles of different sizes. Can you use it to help Elsa make beautiful patterns in the snow?
By learning how to create and use functions, you can make your programming more efficient and fun. Just like in sports, once you master the basics, you can create amazing things by combining them in new ways!
Imagine you’re a coach designing a new basketball play. Use the basic moves like dribbling, passing, and shooting to create a unique play. Write down the steps and give your play a name. Share it with your classmates and see if they can follow your instructions!
Think of a simple dance routine using basic moves like a spin, jump, and clap. Combine these moves into a sequence and give it a name, just like a function in programming. Teach your dance to a friend and see how well they can perform it using your instructions.
Using paper and colored pencils, draw a simple shape like a square or triangle. Now, create a pattern by repeating this shape in different sizes or colors. Name your pattern and explain how you used the basic shape to create something complex, just like using functions in programming.
Using a block-based coding tool, try to create a snowflake pattern. Start by writing code to draw a simple shape, then turn it into a function. Use this function to build your snowflake. Share your design with the class and explain how functions helped you create it.
Write a short story using basic plot elements like a beginning, middle, and end. Identify a repeated action or phrase in your story and give it a name, turning it into a “story function.” Share your story with a partner and discuss how using functions made your storytelling easier.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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One of the most important concepts in computer science is how to define new commands and add your own words to a computer language. Most computer languages have only about 100 words or commands. The art and magic lie in defining your own new words from these building blocks.
We do this all the time in sports. For example, in basketball, you start by learning how to dribble, perform a layup, and rebound. Once you’ve mastered these basic moves, you learn new techniques and combine these building blocks into plays like a “pick and roll” or a “give and go.” Once you learn a play and give it a name, everyone on the team knows how to execute it.
Similarly, once you’ve taught a computer how to perform an action using a sequence of commands, you can create your own name for that action, making it easy to repeat later. When you define your own command and assign it a name, that’s called a function.
When programming with blocks, you would use functions for a set of actions you want to use multiple times. For example, if you’ve written code to create a square, you can define this as a function called “create a square.” Now you have a new block that you can use repeatedly to create multiple squares.
Many simple shapes can be combined to create more complex patterns. In the next puzzle, the code you recently wrote to make a circle is available to you as a new function that can create circles of different sizes. Can you use it to help Elsa create intricate and beautiful patterns in the snow?
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This version maintains the original meaning while ensuring clarity and coherence.
Computers – Electronic devices that can store and process data to help us perform various tasks. – Example sentence: “We use computers in school to research information and complete our assignments.”
Commands – Instructions given to a computer to perform a specific task. – Example sentence: “In coding class, we learned how to use commands to make the robot move forward.”
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to follow. – Example sentence: “Programming can be fun because you get to create your own games and apps.”
Functions – Blocks of code designed to perform a particular task and can be reused in a program. – Example sentence: “We used functions to make our code shorter and easier to read.”
Create – To make something new using your imagination or skills. – Example sentence: “I like to create animations using coding software on my computer.”
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that a computer can understand. – Example sentence: “We wrote code to make the character jump over obstacles in the game.”
Patterns – Repeated designs or sequences that can be used in coding to solve problems more efficiently. – Example sentence: “We noticed patterns in the code that helped us fix the bugs faster.”
Shapes – Geometric figures that can be drawn or manipulated using code. – Example sentence: “In our project, we used code to draw different shapes like circles and squares on the screen.”
Learn – To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience. – Example sentence: “I want to learn more about how computers work so I can build my own apps.”
Action – A movement or task performed by a computer program in response to a command. – Example sentence: “When you click the button, the program takes action by displaying a message.”
