If this, else that: 3rd to 5th coding
If / else. A free 3rd to 5th lesson plan with a hook, practice that links to free activities, and an exit ticket. Copy it and make it yours.
Lesson plan
Goal
- Students work toward: if / else.
Hook (5 min)
- Ask the class: How does a robot know when to turn?
- Take two or three answers and write them where everyone can see them.
Teach (15 min)
- Say the big idea in one plain sentence: if this, else that.
- Show one example, then one that is not an example, and ask how the two differ.
- Have students tell a partner or a small group the idea in their own words.
Practise (20 min)
- Choose one for the whole class or let groups pick:
- Learn: If There's a Wall (https://peabody.kids/world/code/code-if-theres-a-wall)
- Print: On paper: The Stair Robot (https://teach.peabody.kids/coding-lessons/stair-robot-loops)
- Play: Code: Peabody Blocks (https://peabody.kids/blocks)
- Play: Robot Steps (https://peabody.kids/games/robot-steps)
- Learn: Practise: if and else (https://peabody.kids/practice/code/scoreif)
- Learn: Practise: a repeat with an if inside (https://peabody.kids/practice/code/loopif)
Exit ticket (5 min)
- On a slip or aloud: one thing I learned about if this, else that, and one question I still have.
- Sort the slips into: got it, nearly, not yet. Start tomorrow with the last pile.
Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.