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If-Then Choices

Third graders learn how code makes choices with if-then. If something is true, then do an action: if it is raining, then grab an umbrella. They match each if to its then, then write if-then rules of their own.

Grade 3If-Then Choices45 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain an if-then rule.
  • ✓Match an if to a then.
  • ✓Spot the true/false part.
  • ✓Write an if-then rule.
Essential Question

How does a program decide what to do?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the If to Its Then

Project this and match each if (a situation) to its then (the action) — tap the if, then tap the then.

❓ Match each “if” to its “then”Try it
If (something happens)
Then (do this)
Now tap the then!
The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

45 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — When This Happens

5 min

What do you do IF it starts to rain?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give an “if” situation.
  • Ask what to do.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Guess.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — If-Then

10 min

Students use rules.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the If to Its Then.
  • Match each one.
  • Note if → then.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Change the Then

12 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Change the action after an if.
  • Try a different situation.
  • Check it still makes sense.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Change.
  • Try.
  • Check.
4

Create — Write a Rule

12 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Write one if-then rule.
  • Add an else (otherwise).
  • Share it with a partner.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Write.
  • Add.
  • Share.
5

Reflect — Reflect

6 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Say what if-then means.
  • Give one rule.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Give one.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and the ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
1B-AP-10

Create programs with conditionals (if-then).

CSTA
1B-AP-11

Decompose a problem into smaller parts.

CSTA
1B-AP-15

Test and debug a program to make sure it runs.

ISTE
5 Computational Thinker

Use logic to make decisions.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Act out “if I clap, then you stand.”
  • Frame: “if ___, then ___.”
  • Match pictures first.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Match one pair at a time.
  • Use 3 rules.
  • Use picture cards.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add an else branch.
  • Make a 2-rule game.
  • Use a true/false test.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • ❓If/then cards
  • 💻Match the If to Its Then
  • 🎮Simple game blocks
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

if-thena rule: if true, then do an actionconditionthe “if” part that is true or falseactionthe “then” part that happenstruethe condition is metfalsethe condition is not metelsewhat to do otherwisedecisiona choice the program makesrulean if-then statement
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is an if-then rule?
If something is true, then do an action.
QUESTION 2
In “if it is dark, then turn on the light,” what is the action?
Turn on the light.
QUESTION 3
What is the “if” part called?
The condition (true or false).

Reflect: if-then.

Have students write one if-then rule for a game. A printable if-then worksheet is in the Computer Science library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 CS If-Then Choices (Grade 3)Flip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 CS If-Then Choices (Grade 3)Quiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ CS If-Then Choices (Grade 3)Print
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: action, condition, decision, else, false, if-then, rule, true
  1. the “if” part that is true or false
  2. the “then” part that happens
  3. the condition is not met
  4. a rule: if true, then do an action
  5. an if-then statement
  6. the condition is met
  7. what to do otherwise
  8. a choice the program makes

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is an if-then rule?
  2. In “if it is dark, then turn on the light,” what is the action?
  3. What is the “if” part called?
Answer key — Part A: 1) condition · 2) action · 3) false · 4) if-then · 5) rule · 6) true · 7) else · 8) decision
Part B: 1) If something is true, then do an action. 2) Turn on the light. 3) The condition (true or false).