Nested selection
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can trace and modify code in a program that uses nested selection.
Key learning points
- Selection statements with conditions can be nested inside another selection statement.
- Nested selection statements are used to implement complex branching logic.
- If a condition of a main selection block evaluates to True, it leads to sub-conditions which are inside the main block.
Keywords
Nested selection - a block of code where a selection block is placed within another selection block
Common misconception
A nested selection statement can only have one nested selection block.
Selection statements can can continue to be nested in further selection blocks to provide more complex conditions for which specific code will be executed.
Teacher tip
The second part of the lesson requires pupils to modify an existing program. Encourage learners to run the code a few times to investigate how it works before answering the questions.
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 of the following expressions will return False?
Q2.Which of these statements would return True for the following card?
Q3.The three logical operators are 'and', 'or' and ' '.
Q4.Logical operators can be used alongside relational operators to build logical when more values need to be compared.
Q5.Which expressions would return True for this card?
Q6.Arithmetic expressions evaluate to a number. Logical expressions evaluate to .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is nested selection in programming?
Q2.What does the lower() method do when used on a string in Python?
Q3.In nested selection, if the outer condition is `False`, the inner condition will .
Q4.What would be displayed if the user enters "Jun" for the username?
Q5.What would be displayed if the user enters "Izzy" for the username and then "Dog1234" for the password?
Q6.What would be displayed if the user enters "Izzy" for the username and then "Fish4321" for the password?
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Nested selection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Nested selection, 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: selection unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.