Building a program using control structures
I can combine sequence, selection and iteration to build a program that uses complex conditions.
Building a program using control structures
I can combine sequence, selection and iteration to build a program that uses complex conditions.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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.
Equipment
All pupils require access to devices that can edit and run Python programs. Starter code files are available to copy or use directly via the Raspberry Pi Code Editor.