List methods
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a list to return multiple values from a function.
Key learning points
- List methods can be use to alter the contents of a list.
- A function returns a value.
- Sometimes you need a function to return more than one value.
- A list is a method that you can use to return more than one value from a function.
Keywords
Append - add an item to the end of a list
Insert - add an item to a given position in a list
Pop - remove an item from a given index in a list
Count - counting the number of occurrences of a given item
Common misconception
A function can only ever return one value.
A list can be used to return multiple values from a function.
Teacher tip
This lesson uses functions. If pupils are unfamilar with this concept or need to revisit it, it may be worth covering this before this lesson.
Equipment
All pupils requires access to devices that can edit and run Python programs. Starter code files are available to copy or use directly via the Raspberry Pi Code Editor.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to its description.
a data structure that has a fixed size in memory
a data structure that can grow or shrink to accommodate items
a static data structure that contains items of the same data type
a dynamic data structure that can contain items of different types
Q2.An is fixed in size and can only contain data of the same type.
Q3.Which of the following are characteristics of a list?
Q4.Which brackets are used when defining a list in Python?
Q5.What is the identifier in this list?
1234planets = ["Mercury", "Venus",
"Earth", "Mars",
"Jupiter", "Neptune",
"Saturn"]Code colour
Q6.In this list, which item is held in index position 2?
1234planets = ["Mercury", "Venus",
"Earth", "Mars",
"Jupiter", "Neptune",
"Saturn"]Code colour
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the append() method do?
Q2.Which method would you use to remove an item from a list at a specific index?
Q3.What will be the output of this code?
12shopping = ["bread", "cheese", "milk"]
print(shopping.count("cheese"))Code colour
Q4.If no argument is provided to the pop() method, which item is removed from the list?
Q5.What will be the output from this code?
123numbers = [3, 6, 9, 12]
numbers.insert(2, 15)
print(numbers)Code colour
Q6.What does the remove() method do?
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: List methods, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: List methods, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Programming: strings and lists unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.