New
New
Year 5

Controlling with conditions

I can write a program which contains a conditional loop.

New
New
Year 5

Controlling with conditions

I can write a program which contains a conditional loop.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Conditions are either True or False.
  2. A conditional loop repeats a chunk of code until a condition is met.
  3. Microcontrollers can be programmed to respond to inputs.

Keywords

  • Condition - a statement that can be either True or False

  • Conditional loop - a chunk of code that repeatedly runs a section of the program until a condition is met

Common misconception

A condition can have multiple possible answers.

A condition must always be either True or False in a program.


To help you plan your year 5 computing lesson on: Controlling with conditions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Model how to connect and use a push button switch with the Crumble controller, as this is key to enabling pupils to use inputs in their programs.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need access to a microcontroller, crocodile clips, battery packs, Sparkle LEDs and push button switches. Examples in this lesson use Crumble https://oak.link/crumble

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an algorithm?

a type of electrical motor
a component of a microcontroller
a random set of instructions
Correct answer: a precise sequence of instructions to complete a task

Q2.
What is an infinite loop?

Correct answer: a sequence of instructions that repeats forever
a loop that runs exactly 10 times
a machine that generates electricity
a tool used to draw algorithms

Q3.
What does a count-controlled loop do?

runs forever without stopping
Correct answer: repeats a section of a program a specific number of times
stores data in a microcontroller
converts energy into motion

Q4.
What is the name of the Crumble output component that emits light and can shine in different colours?

Correct Answer: Sparkle, sparkle

Q5.
Arrange the steps for connecting components to a microcontroller:

1 - select the components you want to connect
2 - connect the components to the correct pads on the microcontroller
3 - write the program to control the components
4 - test the setup to ensure everything works

Q6.
What is an example of an output component?

Correct answer: a motor
a loop
an algorithm
a sequence

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms to their definitions:

Correct Answer:condition,a statement that can be either True or False

a statement that can be either True or False

Correct Answer:conditional loop,code that repeatedly runs until a condition is met

code that repeatedly runs until a condition is met

Correct Answer:microcontroller,a small computer that can respond to inputs and execute code

a small computer that can respond to inputs and execute code

Correct Answer:input,a signal or data received by the microcontroller

a signal or data received by the microcontroller

Q2.
Arrange the steps for programming a microcontroller to respond to inputs:

1 - connect the input device to the microcontroller
2 - write the code to handle the input
3 - upload the program to the microcontroller
4 - test the program by using the input device

Q3.
What is a condition in programming?

a type of loop
a block of code that never runs
Correct answer: a statement that can be either True or False
a microcontroller component

Q4.
What does a conditional loop do?

runs a program forever
Correct answer: repeats a chunk of code until a condition is met
converts electrical energy to mechanical energy
stores data in a microcontroller

Q5.
Which of these is using a condition controlled loop?

Correct answer: do until button pressed
repeat 10 times
wait 0.5 seconds
set Sparkle to red

Q6.
What does True mean in a condition?

the loop runs indefinitely
the program stops
the condition is not met
Correct answer: the condition is met