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Methods & Code Organization - Instructor Checklist

Pre-Day Preparation

  • Review Day 4 progress and questions
  • Prepare code examples for methods and code organization
  • Prepare menu system challenge

Morning Session

Hour 1: Review & Warm-Up

  • Recap Day 4 (15 min)

    • Discuss homework: methods in Java
    • Review guessing game code
    • Address any confusion about loops

  • Introduction to Methods (30 min)

    • Explain what methods are and why we use them
    • Show method declaration, parameters, return values
    • Practice with simple examples

  • Scope and Organization (15 min)

    • Discuss local vs global variables
    • Organize code into methods

Hour 2: Method Overloading & Practice

  • Method Overloading (30 min)

    • Show how to create multiple methods with same name but different parameters
    • Practice with examples

  • Mini-Exercises (15 min)

    • Write a method to add two numbers
    • Write a method to print a menu

Meeting Participation

  • Before Meeting
    • Brief intern on today's meeting focus (code organization)
  • During Meeting
    • Encourage note-taking on how methods are used in real code
  • After Meeting
    • Debrief and answer questions

Afternoon Session

Hour 1: Menu System Project (45 min)

  • Guide intern to build a text-based menu system
  • Use methods for each menu option

  • Practice calling methods from main

  • Troubleshooting (15 min)

    • Handle invalid menu choices
    • Discuss error messages

Hour 2: Exploration & Wrap-Up

  • Explore Java Docs (30 min)

    • Look up method documentation
    • Practice reading examples

  • Q&A and Wrap-Up (30 min)

    • Review what was learned
    • Preview Day 6: Project work
    • Assign optional homework: Brainstorm project ideas

Assessment Checkpoints

Technical Understanding

  • Can write and use methods
  • Can organize code with methods
  • Built a menu system

Engagement Level

  • Participated in exercises
  • Asked questions about methods
  • Took notes during meeting

Areas Needing Attention

  • Note any confusion about methods or organization

Materials Needed

  • Computer with Java and IDE
  • Printed handout for reference
  • Menu system instructions

Time Flexibility Notes

  • If ahead: Add more menu options, try method overloading
  • If behind: Focus on basic method usage

Success Criteria for Day 5

  • Can use methods
  • Can build a menu system
  • Maintained positive engagement