NS&N: add and subtract integers
Materials: Sphero, iPad, bowling pins/empty water bottles, Post-It notes
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Students work in groups to program Sphero to knock over the bowling pins. Each pin will be identified with an integer on a Post-It note. When the pins are knocked over, the students must mentally add together their score as well as keep a running score throughout the game.
After 5 rounds, the highest score is declared the winner. New integers can be added to the pins for a new game.
**Designate a few pins as “land mines” and students need to subtract instead of add**
Extensions:
-Use estimation before solving. Was your estimation reasonable?
-Add or subtract using whole numbers and decimals
-Add or subtract using fractions
NS&N: Add and subtract Whole numbers and decimals
Materials: Sphero, iPad, butcher paper/chart paper
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Students work in groups to draw a maze that features several different routes for Sphero to take, some shorter, some longer. Next, students will indicate various dollar/coin amounts for Sphero to collect along the way (up to $10,000). Students will need to complete the following challenges:
a)find the shortest route with the highest value of money.
b) find the longest route with the lowest value of money.
Thinking Prompts:
-How do you know you were successful at each challenge? Show your thinking in Explain Everything using a video, pictures and your voice.
Measurement: Area and Perimeter Review
Materials: Sphero, ruler or measuring tape, chart paper + markers or painters tape + Post It notes
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Using chart paper or tape on the floor, students will construct a rectangle, a triangle and a square according to a specific area or perimeter. Students must indicate their measurements. Students will then program Sphero to trace each shape.Some sample challenges could include:
-Create a rectangle with a perimeter of 200 cm.
-Create a square with an area of 400cm².
-Create a triangle with an area of your choice.
Thinking Prompts:
-How do you know each shape is correct? Explain your thinking.
-What is the difference between area and perimeter?
Geometry: Constructing and identifying related lines
Materials: Sphero, iPad, masking tape, protractor
Apps: SpheroEDU, Camera, Explain Everything (optional)
Activity: Students work in groups to create a maze on the floor that includes parallel, perpendicular and intersecting lines (at 30०, 45० and 60०). Next, students will program Sphero to complete another group’s maze to determine whether each type of line is present. Students will take pictures and record a video of Sphero completing the maze, import into Explain Everything, and answer each thinking prompt.
Thinking Prompts:
-Did the maze have a parallel line? How do you know?
-Did the maze have a perpendicular line? How do you know?
-Did the maze have intersecting lines at 30०, 45० and 60० ? How do you know?
Patterning and ALgebra: Linear Relationships
Materials: Sphero, iPad, meter stick, tape
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Students will work in groups to use time, speed and distance to explore linear relationships.
To learn more, visit https://edu.sphero.com/cwists/preview/3985x for detailed instructions.
Click here for a printable worksheet.
Click here for a printable handout.
Extension:
Visit https://edu.sphero.com/cwists/preview/12134x for a different version of this activity.
Click here for a printable worksheet.
Geometry and Spatial sense: BattleShip!
Materials: Sphero, iPad, masking tape, butcher paper/chart paper
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Students will face-off and play Battleship to identify and describe the general location of Sphero using a grid system.
Step 1: Each group will recreate the following grid on a large piece of chart paper. Each group will also need 2 smaller printed grid templates.
Step 2: Before playing, each group will need to secretly place 5 boats onto one of the printed templates. A boat must be at least 2 squares.
Step 3: Groups will take turns coding Sphero to move around the large grid. When Sphero stops, students must tell the other team the grid number (ex: A4). The other team must say if one of their boats was hit. Use the second printed grid template to track the other team’s boats.
Step 4: First team to sink all the other team’s boats, wins!
Data Management: Collect and Interpret Data
Materials: Sphero, ruler or measuring tape, tray of sand, ramp
Apps: SpheroEDU
Activity: Sphero goes to the Olympics to compete in the long jump competition! Students will build a ramp and code Sphero to go up the ramp, then stop on collision (which will be when Sphero lands). Students will experiment with different ramp angles and speeds. Students will estimate the distance they think Sphero will travel, and measure each jump. Students must select an appropriate type of graph to represent the data.
Thinking Prompts:
-How did the angle of the ramp affect the distance travelled?
-What type of graph did you choose? Why?
-What affects the distance of your Sphero? How do you know?