Objective: 

Students will create interactive storyboards where the plot advances only when specific conditions are met. They will explore the concept of compound conditions in storytelling by writing scenarios where characters’ decisions depend on multiple factors, mirroring how computer programs use compound conditionals.

Materials Needed:

• Index cards for decision points

• Storyboard templates (paper or whiteboard)

• Markers or crayons for illustrating scenes

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Discuss how stories often involve decisions where characters can only move forward if certain conditions are met. 

  • Relate this to computer programming, where conditionals determine actions based on specific conditions. 

  • Introduce the idea of compound conditionals by explaining that some decisions depend on two or more factors (e.g., having a key AND standing in front of a door).

• Group Activity: 

  • Divide students into small groups and give them the task of creating interactive storyboards. 

  • They will write a story where the main character must fulfill two conditions before moving to the next part of the narrative. 

  • For instance, a hero might need to find both a sword and a shield before entering a battle. 

  • Students use index cards to represent key decision points and work together to structure the story's flow.

• Testing and Refining: 

  • After completing the storyboard, students act out their stories. 

  • They test whether the character can progress based on the conditions they created. 

  • Groups can adjust their decision points or add new conditions to refine their interactive narratives.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each group presents their interactive story to the class, explaining how the conditions were used to guide the plot. 

  • Discuss how compound conditionals add complexity to both storytelling and computer programming, emphasizing how these skills are important in creating engaging narratives and functional programs.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-made story templates and decision point examples for students who need extra support. Encourage peer collaboration so that all students can contribute to developing story decisions and understanding compound conditionals.

Real-World Application: 

Connect the activity to how decision-making in video games often mirrors real life, where multiple conditions determine outcomes, such as unlocking levels or gaining rewards only after meeting specific requirements.

CS Practice(s):

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students create storyboards with conditional logic that mimics real-world decision-making.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify critical moments in their stories that depend on multiple factors to advance the plot.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS ELA W.7.3

• CA CS 6-8.AP.12

Objective: 

Students will use Scratch, App Lab, or another coding platform to create interactive digital stories where actions depend on compound conditions. They will design scenes where the plot advances only if multiple conditions are met, reinforcing the concept of conditional logic in programming.

Materials Needed:

• Computers or tablets

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Begin by reviewing the concept of conditionals in programming, explaining that compound conditionals are used when two or more conditions must be true for an action to occur. 

  • Show an example where a door only opens if the character holds a key AND touches the door.

• Group Activity: 

  • In pairs, students will create interactive stories in a coding platform. 

  • They will use "if" statements and compound conditionals to code decisions in their story. 

  • For example, a character might only be able to escape from a maze if they find a key and reach the exit at the same time. 

  • Encourage students to think of creative ways to incorporate multiple conditions into their narratives.

• Creating and Coding: 

  • Students begin coding their interactive stories. They will define variables such as "hasKey" and "touchingDoor," and use compound conditionals to program actions based on whether both conditions are met. 

  • As students work, guide them in testing their code to ensure that actions happen only when the proper conditions are satisfied.

• Testing and Refining: 

  • Students will test their coding projects, ensuring that their compound conditionals work as intended. 

  • They will troubleshoot and refine their code as needed, paying attention to how the story changes when conditions are or are not met.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each pair presents their interactive story to the class, explaining how they used compound conditionals to drive the plot. 

  • Lead a class discussion on the importance of conditional logic in both storytelling and programming, highlighting how control structures create more dynamic and engaging experiences.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-made coding templates and example code for students who need additional support. Pair students with varying levels of experience to foster peer learning and collaboration.

Real-World Application: 

Connect the lesson to how video game developers use conditional logic to create complex gameplay scenarios where actions depend on multiple factors, such as unlocking levels or completing tasks in a specific order.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students design and code interactive stories using compound conditionals.

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students test their programs to ensure that compound conditionals are correctly implemented and adjust their code as needed.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS ELA W.7.3

• CA CS 6-8.AP.12