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Year 3

Structuring a branching database

I can explain why it is helpful for a database to be well structured.

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New
New
Year 3

Structuring a branching database

I can explain why it is helpful for a database to be well structured.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It is helpful to have well structured data.
  2. Two database structures can be compared.
  3. The order in which questions are asked needs to be considered carefully.

Keywords

  • Order - the way objects or people are arranged into a sequence

  • Structure - the way related parts are organised

Common misconception

Only the first question matters when you are thinking about ordering the questions in your branching database.

The first question is really important but you also need to think carefully about the order of the other questions so that the branching database works properly and all objects can be identified.


To help you plan your year 3 computing lesson on: Structuring a branching database, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider if the examples in the lesson could be better adapted to meet the interests of the pupils you teach. Pupils will grasp concepts more quickly if they better understand the objects they are comparing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Software is required to create branching databases on a computer. This lesson uses oak.link/branching-db but activities can be completed using any alternative.

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does a branching database help you do?
paint pictures
Correct answer: identify objects using 'yes or no' questions
write stories
send emails
Q2.
Which of these is an example of a well-structured diagram?
Correct answer: a diagram with clear yes or no questions
a diagram with random questions
a diagram with no questions
a diagram with only pictures
Q3.
Why is it important to test a branching database?
to make it colourful
to add more objects
to delete questions
Correct answer: to ensure that it works correctly
Q4.
Which of these is NOT something that involves a branching database?
grouping objects
using yes or no questions
testing the database
Correct answer: drawing pictures
Q5.
What is the first step in creating a branching database?
Correct answer: selecting objects to include
writing a story
testing the database
printing the database
Q6.
What happens if a database is not well-structured?
It becomes easier to use.
It works faster.
Correct answer: It is harder to use.
It looks better.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of a branching database?
to entertain
to store pictures
Correct answer: to identify objects
to delete data
Q2.
What is the role of the first question in a branching database?
Correct answer: to divide the objects into two main groups
to identify all objects
to test the database
to delete objects
Q3.
Put these steps in order for creating a branching database:
1 - Select objects.
2 - Create questions.
3 - Test the database.
Q4.
Why is it important to think about the order of all questions in a branching database?
to make the database look nice
to reduce the size of the database
to add more objects
Correct answer: to ensure that all objects can be identified logically
Q5.
How can you improve a branching database?
Add random questions.
Correct answer: Use clear and logical questions.
Delete objects.
Make it colourful.
Q6.
Match each term with its definition or function:
Correct Answer:order,the way objects are arranged in a sequence

the way objects are arranged in a sequence

Correct Answer:structure,the way related parts are organised

the way related parts are organised

Correct Answer:testing,ensuring that the database works correctly

ensuring that the database works correctly

Correct Answer:first question,divides objects into two main groups

divides objects into two main groups