The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Unplugged Coding with indi Part 3
Unplugged Coding with indi Part 3
A Kindergarten -1st grade STEM lesson
Tina Martinez
7/13/23
Notes for teachers
This is the 3rd Part of the Unplugged Coding with indi lessons.
You will need the planning page from Part 2.
Small groups of 2-4 work best.
This lesson is designed to be used with Sphero indi. It will work with other robots that is programmed with arrows; Bee-Bot, Code & Go Mouse, and Botley work great.
Be sure to change the colors to match the buttons on the robot.
List of Materials
Standards
Arizona Technology Standards 2021
2.4.c. Students, with guidance, use a design process to develop ideas or creations, test their design, and redesign as necessary.
2.5.a. Students, with guidance, identify a problem and select appropriate technology tools to explore and find solutions.
Standards
Arizona ELA Standards 2016
SL.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
SL.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Arizona ELP Standards 2019
5-2: shift appropriately between informal “playground speech” and language appropriate to the classroom.
8-2: Ask and answer yes-no, either-or, and wh- questions in order to clarify what an author or speaker says.
Objective:
Agenda
Part 3 (30 or minutes)
Students will use the program written in Part 2 to code a robot to follow a path.
Vocabulary Review
Computer - an electronic device that is used for storing and processing information.
Robot - a machine, with a computer brain, that does tasks without the help of a person. Robots do only what a person tells them to do.
Coding is how we talk to computers and tell them what we want them to do.
Code - lines of instructions
Program - many lines of code together that give computers instructions.
Bug
A bug is an error in the code. We must find the error and fix it so that our program will run correctly.
If you use the wrong color card and indi goes off “Willy Nilly” you need to change the color of the card.
Remember: if indi goes off “WIlly Nilly” put a red card in front of him to make him stop.
How are we going to tell our robots what we want them to do?
How are we going to tell our robots what we want them to do?
Last time we learned how to talk to robots. What language do robots use?
How are we going to tell our robots what we want them to do?
Last time we learned how to talk to robots. What language do robots use?
How are we going to use code to tell indi what we want him to do?
The next slide will introduce indi
I don’t have enough indi robots for all my classes, even if groups of 4. I introduce indi to everyone, and then introduce the other robots we will use.
This is a very important step. Most students have not had opportunities to use robots. indi looks like a car and students will want to push him like they would a car.
Let’s Meet indi
indi is one of the robots we will be using in this lesson.
How to Hold indi
When you hold indi, or pick him up DO NOT touch his tires. Touch him on the ends only. Remember, if you hold his tires he may break.
YES!!!
NO
How to STOP indi
If indi goes off “Willy Nilly” put a red card in front of him to make him STOP. If it is safe, you can let him go, he will stop on his own.
How does indi work?
Model how indi works. Use a table or big floor space so all can see.
IMPORTANT: Explain to student that you are going to SHOW them how to use indi on the table so everyone can see. They MAY NOT use any robot on a table. If they are using a robot on a table they will sit for 5 minutes.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Students should be in groups of no more than 4. Each student will need at least 10 minutes each to run their programs. Students will run their 1st trial program and let the next student have a turn.
When all student have run their 1st trail programs they can take turns running the program they have written independently.
They will work as a group to solve any problems, “bugs” in the code.
Explain that when indi has a “bug” they need to fix it. They can change, add, or remove cards. They can use a crayon to fix their plan.
Assessment
Name: | | Team: | Date: |
Indi Rubric | |||
Points | 5 | 10 | |
Programing | You programmed indi 1 time | You programmed indi 2 or more times | |
Bug | You fixed any bugs you found | You fixed any bugs you found | |
Team Work | You worked with your team | You took turns, worked with your team to fix bugs, and cheered for everyone. | |
Total Score | | ||
Differentiation
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Who is indi and Where Can I Get Him?
indi
indi is a beginner robot from Sphero - Here is what they have to say - Sphero indi
I got mine from Amazon. I have the At Home Kit. There is a classroom kit available from Amazon, Sphero, and other places.
Coding Cards
indi comes with a set of coding cards. I keep 1 of each card out of what I give the students. You can purchase durable cards from Sphero.
I take my indi to the supply closet, office supply, or a store where I can get scrapbooking paper. Turn him on and set him on each color of paper. If his top light turns the color of the paper it will work. I use these for groups that destroy or loose my programming cards.
The Sphero website has a list of the Pantone colors, CMYK colors, and the Astro Bright colors that best match the Firmware indi recognizes.
indi Storage and Charging
Each indi has his own “house”
indi lives in a container. Each indi has a sticker. His container and all of his cards have the same sticker. This makes it easier for the kids to put away correctly, and for me to find the cards that go to each set.
I also purchased a USB charging station. I keep all the charging cords plugged into the charging station and charge al my indi’s at once.