Building a program using control structures
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can combine sequence, selection and iteration to build a program that uses complex conditions.
Key learning points
- Expressions formed using logical operators evaluate to either True or False.
- Logical and relational operators can be combined to create complex conditions.
- The programming constructs of sequence, selection and iteration can be combined to make more complex programs.
Keywords
Condition - an expression that evaluates to True or False
Selection - used when there is more than one possible path for a program to follow
Iteration - the process of repeating a sequence of instructions within a program loop
Common misconception
Learners often get confused between the logic operators AND and OR.
For an AND statement to return True both inputs must be True. For an OR statement to return True either input can be True.
Teacher tip
The final activity for this lesson is broken down into three stages, which get progressively more challenging to solve. Some pupils may only achieve the first stage but will still have had the opportunity to implement some of the skills and knowledge they have developed over the unit.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device that can edit and run Python programs. Examples in this lesson use the RPF Code Editor https://oak.link/python-editor
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term for repeating a sequence of instructions multiple times in a program?
Q2.In Python, which code is used to create a loop that repeats as long as a condition is True?
Q3.What operator should be added to the gap to make the while loop run whilst the name entered is not equal to Sam?
1while name {operator here} "Sam":Code colour
Q4.What is the primary purpose of a flag in programming?
Q5.In a game, a player earns bonuses for collecting a certain number of coins. Which of the following would most likely cause a flag named bonus_earned to be set to True?
Q6.A flag can have two states and False.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which logical operator in Python would you use to check if at least one of two conditions is True?
Q2.Which logical operator in Python would you use to check if both of two conditions are True?
Q3.Which of these Python while loop conditions will keep the loop running forever, no matter what happens inside the loop?
Q4.Which of the following is a potential benefit of combining programming structures?
Q5.What is the output of the following Python code?
1234567 is_weekend = True
have_homework = False
if is_weekend and not have_homework:
print("Time to relax")
else:
print("Time to study.")Code colour
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Building a program using control structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Building a program using control structures, 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 3 computing lessons from the Introduction to Python programming unit, dive into the full secondary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.