Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Branching Point 2: Expanding the Narrative
Students add another branching point to their story, further expanding the possibilities.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Design a story map with at least two levels of choices (a choice that leads to another choice).
Explain what a 'nested choice' is using a story example.
Create a short digital story with at least three different possible outcomes.
Use 'If...Then...' language to describe the path a character takes after making two choices.
Identify and fix a 'dead end' in a branching story.
Connect a user event, like clicking a button, to a specific story branch.
Have you ever played a game where one choice leads to another, and then another? 🤔 Let's learn how to build stories that are big and full of exciting new paths!
Today, we're going to make our branching stories even bigger! We will learn how to add choices inside of other c...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Nested ChoiceA choice that is hidden inside another choice. You have to make the first choice to see the second one.First, you choose to go into the 'Mysterious Cave'. THEN, inside the cave, you get a new choice: 'Open the chest' or 'Follow the sound'.
Story PathThe specific journey a reader takes through your story based on the choices they make.Path 1: You chose the 'forest', then you chose to 'follow the map'. That's one story path.
Multiple OutcomesHaving more than two possible endings to a story. Adding more choices creates more outcomes.Your story could end with finding treasure, meeting a friendly dragon, or finding a secret exit. That's three outcomes!
EventAn action that happens, like a user clickin...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The Nested Choice Pattern
IF (Choice A is made) THEN { Show new choices B and C }
Use this pattern when you want one decision to lead to another, new decision. It's like putting an IF-THEN statement inside another IF-THEN statement.
The Path Expansion Rule
Every new choice you add doubles the number of paths from that point.
Remember this when planning your story. If you have one choice, you have two paths. If you add a second choice to ONE of those paths, you now have a total of three possible paths.
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Challenging
You are designing a story about a shy knight. At the first branch, the knight can 'Hide' or 'Say Hello' to a dragon. You want to expand the narrative from the 'Say Hello' choice to show the knight becoming braver. What would be a good SECOND branching point for this path?
A.The dragon is friendly. Choices: 'Ask for a ride' or 'Offer it a cupcake'.
B.The knight runs away. Choices: 'Go home' or 'Go to the store'.
C.The story ends.
D.The knight hides again. Choices: 'Hide behind a bigger rock' or 'Hide in a cave'.
Challenging
Imagine a story where many choices (like 'eat the apple', 'drink the water', 'open the book') all lead to the exact same ending. From a game design perspective, what is the main problem with this structure?
A.The story is too long.
B.The story is too colorful.
C.The player's choices feel meaningless because they don't change the outcome.
D.The story needs more characters.
Challenging
You need to design a story map that has EXACTLY 5 possible endings. Which of these structures would work?
A.One branch with 5 choices.
B.first branch with 2 choices (A, B). Path A leads to a second branch with 3 choices. Path B leads to a second branch with 2 choices.
C.first branch with 2 choices (A, B). Path A leads to an ending. Path B leads to a second branch with 2 choices.
D.story with 5 branches in a row, each with 2 choices.
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