Using selection when developing programs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how selection statements are used in programs to control program flow.
Key learning points
- Selection is used when there is more than one possible path for a program to follow.
- Selection is carried out using if, elif and else statements.
- A selection statement will check if a condition returns as True or False.
- Multi-path selection is used when there is more than one path for a program to follow.
Keywords
Selection - used when there is more than one possible path for a program to follow
Condition - an expression that evaluates to True or False
Multi-path selection - selection when there is more than one path for a program to follow
Common misconception
A program follows a sequence of instructions and will run all lines of code.
Selection statements can be used to control program flow, so some lines of code can be skipped to follow a different path through the program.
Teacher tip
Pupils may find the come across syntax errors with missing : and indentation in selection statements. Encourage them to self check programs for these pitfalls.
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.Which flowchart symbol is sued to represent a decision?
Q2.Which of the following is the correct syntax for a print statement in Python?
Q3.What does an IF statement represent?
Q4.In programming what is the answer to an IF question?
Q5. is used when there is more than one possible path for a program to follow.
Q6.What statement is used to obtain a value for a variable from a user?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of selection in programming?
Q2.Which of the following is used for selection in Python?
Q3.What will be the output of the following code?
12345number = 10
if number > 5:
print(number + 5)
else:
print(number - 5)Code colour
Q4.A condition in programming is an expression that evaluates to either or False.
Q5.The statement is used when there are multiple conditions to check one after another.
Q6.What will the following program output?
1234score = 30
if score > 30:
print("You won!")
print("The end")Code colour
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Using selection when developing programs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Using selection when developing programs, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Programming: selection unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.