The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Guess My Number? Using Bee-Bots for Coding

Guess My Number!�Using Bee-Bots for Coding

A Kindergarten STEM Lesson

Luz-Maria Van Daam

April 2023

Notes for Teachers

• This lesson takes place in a classroom for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Students may work in small groups of 2-4 students.
• Student teams will work together to add or subtract an equation.
• Then using the Bee-Bots students will program their Bee-Bot to find the sum or difference.
• Teacher will facilitate lesson by assisting students as needed.

• Mat or grid for placing numbers 1-18
• Numbers 1-18 (Keeping in mind the various answers to your given equations.) The numbers can be written on index cards, that will be placed on the mat or grid.
• 15-20 index cards with various equations (addition & subtraction)
• Bee-Bot

List of Materials

Standards

AZ Computer Science Standards:

• K.AP.PD.3
• With teacher assistance, debug (identify and fix) errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops.
• Algorithms or programs may not always work correctly. Students should be able to use various strategies, such Algorithms in a step-by-step manner, or trial and error to fix problems in algorithms and programs.

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Science and Engineering Practices 

• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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AZ Math Standards:

• K.0A.A.1

Represent addition and subtraction concretely.

• K.0A.A.2

Solve addition and subtraction word problems and add and subtract within 10.

Standards

Computer Science (CSTA K-12 Standards)

• 1A-AP-10: Develop programs with sequences and simple loops, to express ideas or address a problem.
• Connection: Students program the Bee-Bot to move to the correct answer on the mat, sequencing forward/turn commands.
• 1A-AP-15: Correct errors in simple programs.
• Connection: If the Bee-Bot doesn't arrive at the correct number, students debug the sequence to fix the path.

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Science and Engineering Practices 

• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Common Core Mathematics (CCSS.MATH)

• K.OA.A.5: Fluently add and subtract within 5.
• Connection: The core activity involves solving addition and subtraction equations (e.g., on index cards) before programming the robot.
• K.CC.A.3: Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20.
• Connection: Students identify and navigate to specific written numerals (1-18) placed on the grid mat.

Common Core English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA)

• SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• Connection: Students work in small groups (2-4), discussing their answers and agreeing on the code sequence before pressing the buttons.
• SL.K.3: Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
• Connection: The lesson emphasizes asking for help and checking understanding (thumbs up/down) during the problem-solving process.

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Objective(s):

• Students will be able to develop their mental math by solving an addition or subtraction equation.
• Students will be using a Bee-Bot to show their answer on the mat or grid.
• They will need to work out answers to sums or differences and program their Bee-Bot to show their answer on the mat.
• Program Bee-Bot to reach that number.

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Agenda (45 minutes)

• How do I use mental math for an addition equation?
• Addends are the numbers that are added together to give a sum.
• How do I use mental math to solve a subtraction equation?
• The subtrahend is taken away from the minuend to give a difference.
• How do I program a Bee-Bot to show my answer?

Introduction

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• What is an addition equation?
• What is a subtraction equation?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will be divided into small groups 2-4 students.
• Students will be shown the mat or grid with various numbers placed on the grid.
• Students will be given a set of 15-20 index cards with various addition & subtraction equations.
• Students will be instructed to take one card at a time and solve the equation.
• Students will then proceed to program their Bee-Bot to reach the number that shows the answer to their equation.
• The rest of the students will be working on the same equation. If the student that is programing the bot is correct, they may program their Bee-Bot. Then it will be the next students turn.

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Teacher will introduce the task by asking students what does an addition equation look like? What does a subtraction equation look like?

• Teacher will instruct students to use mental math to solve the equation.

• Teacher will show students the Bee-Bot, index cards with the equations and the mat or grid with the various numbers that will help students show their answers.

• Teacher will tell all the students in a group that they need to solve the equation as well, and if they all agree on the answer, they will give a thumbs up. The person who had the index card and was solving the equation may now proceed to program the Bee-Bot to show their answer on the mat or grid.

Assessment

• Teacher will walk around to check on the student's progress.
• Are the student's solving addition or subtraction equations accordingly?
• Are the rest of the students in the group solving the equations correctly and giving a thumbs up to show they agree or disagree to the answer?
• Are the students programming their Bee-Bot correctly to show their answer?

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Math Assessment

Student will be able to show a concrete understanding of solving an addition or subtraction equation.

Computer Science Assessment

Student will be able program an algorithm on the Bee-Bot.

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Student will be able to problem solve and fix an algorithm.

Assessment

• Teacher will be able to assess students understanding solving addition or subtraction equations.
• Teacher will be able to assess students coding of the Bee-bots to show their answer.

Differentiation

• Provide students with only addition equations to 5.
• Provide student with manipulatives to help put groups together and help solve for the addition problem.
• Provide students less index cards and equations to solve.
• Students that are able to solve addition problems may begin solving subtraction problems.
• Provide students with either addition or subtraction equations.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Challenge:

• Students will be given a sand timer and have to solve within the time limit.
• Students will be given word problems.
• Students will be given blank index cards and they can write their own equations and solve.
• Give students 2-3 dice and students will need to work out answers to sums created by the roll of 3 dice and then program the Bee-Bot to reach that number.

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