Today, you'll be guiding your students through a series of interactive activities designed to help them grasp the concept of 'if/then' statements. This lesson builds on their understanding of sequencing from previous lessons and is a crucial step toward understanding conditional logic, which is fundamental in coding.

The format of this lesson is:

• Play an 'If/Then' version of Simon Says
• Engage students with an 'If/Then' interactive whiteboard game
• Complete an 'If/Then' activity worksheet

Gather your students in a circle or open space in the classroom to make this activity feel like a fun group game. Explain to your students that today we're playing a special version of Simon Says called 'If/Then' Simon Says. This game will help them understand cause and effect.

Start by demonstrating a simple example: Say, 'If you are wearing shoes, then pat your head!' and do the action yourself if it applies to you. Encourage the children to join in only if the 'if' part is true for them. Remind them gently that they should only move if the condition matches them – this teaches the idea of conditions in a playful way.

Now, lead the game with these fun commands. Say them clearly and slowly, with lots of expression to keep everyone engaged. Pause after each one to let the children react.Here are some examples to use:

• If you’re wearing shoes, then clap your hands!

• If you have short hair, then stomp your feet!

• If you like apples, then pat your head!

• If you’re wearing green, then jump once!

• If you’ve eaten breakfast today, then wave!

• If you like dogs, then bark!

• If you have a jumper on, then spin around!

• If you like the colour blue, then touch your toes!

• If you have a pocket, then tap it!

• If you’re sitting down, then stand up!

To make it more challenging and fun as the game progresses, introduce 'and' for combined conditions, but keep it simple: 'If you like football and have a sister, then jump up and down!' This helps build on basic logic without overwhelming them.

Begin by printing and distributing the 'If/Then' Activity Worksheet (➡️)to your class.

For this worksheet, students must draw what they believe would happen in different scenarios.

Display the worksheet on the whiteboard so that everyone can follow along. Start with the first image, which shows 'If it is raining.' Engage the students by asking what they think might happen next in this scenario. Encourage responses like using an umbrella, putting on a coat, splashing in puddles, or staying inside.

Draw the class's chosen answer in the 'Then' box on your whiteboard. 

Allow the students to draw their own answers into the 'Then' box on their worksheets. 

Continue this process with the remaining two 'if' scenarios, encouraging discussion about the students' explanations and illustrations.