Programming with Robotics

Sometimes we can program, and it's not just about the website or the app!  As an addition to our Hour of Code, another activity we worked on was collaborating to make robot follow our directions.  Here we are using Valiant Technologies Roamer Too with the Early Years accessory.  The Early Years accessory is the piece on top that allows the roamer to go forward, backward, and make 90 degree angle turns to the right and left. 

First, we let the students explore to learn how to use the buttons and experience how the Roamer moves around when given commands.  There was much laughter, smiles, and cheering.  The students love the fact that Roamer will sometime talk to them to say what is going to happen.

Once the students had a little bit of hands on time with the robot, we then ask the students to travel through a terrible snow storm, pick up holiday gifts, dark woods, to finally arrive at the Gingerbread Man's house.

There was a lot of collaboration as to where exactly the Roamer should go and which way to turn.  It required communication on all team members' parts to arrive at the final destination.  Everyone was fully engaged and were not ready to move on to another activity.  In fact, at one point a Kindergarten group was working in the library when a 3rd grade class came by and noticed what was happening.  The 3rd graders insisted they try the same activity the next day.  Engaging, problem-solving by all ages!

Robotic Poetry?

What a challenging and engaging week it has been working with a class of 2nd graders who want to learn more about Robotics and Poetry!  At the beginning of the week I helped facilitate learning the different types of poetry: Acrotstic, Shape, Haiku, Alliteration, Senses...to name a few.  I discovered I personally enjoy the challenge of creating a Haiku poem!

First, we worked with students to learn about the different types of poems.  We looked at examples and discussed how that type of poem was different or similar to other types of poems.  In each case students were asked to write their own example of each type poetry.  I enjoyed challenging our students to think beyond the simple and think of more complex examples.  Creativity!

Where does robotics and poetry meet, you ask?  With LEGO WeDo Robotics!  We spent time building a particular animal included in the set.  Students chose from an alligator, bird, monkey, or plane.  This is the second project this particular group had worked on, but they still were challenged with the building aspect.  If you have ever followed the directions using only the pictures in a LEGO booklet you will understand that many of the steps are clear, but there are always a few requiring a second look to make sure you have it perfect.  If you make a mistake at any point you will have to figure out the solution in order to proceed with the building.

Once the basic building was completed, it was now time to make these objects do something!  Students programmed the alligator to chomp, the birds to spin, the monkey, to bang a drum, or the plane to spin its propeller using the motion sensor.  Changing the basic program steps to add more actions or sounds is one aspect students enjoy when using LEGO WeDo.

Then the real work began!  It was time to bring the poetry back to the focus of our lesson.  Students were challenged to create an Acrostic Alliteration poem for the LEGO build of their choice.  Have you ever struggled to come up with words beginning with vowels for 2nd graders!  I'm very impressed with how the students worked with their partner to explore words and their meanings.  It's not always easy!

We had a great time exploring robotics and writing our own poetry, all at the same time!