O. Robotiaid
Introduction |
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An activity on giving instructions to a robot to move on a plane surface. It focuses on describing movement in terms of directions and distances. The four compass directions – north, south, east, west – are used and compared with the left and right directions. The activity has links with giving directions and using maps in real-life situations. |
This activity has two episodes. Each episode consists of an introduction, paired or group work and whole class sharing. The session must finish with a whole class reflection phase, regardless of how far the class has got. |
Episode 1: Moving on grid lines |
Robots make movements on a grid in four directions, distances are in whole units. Two robots are compared. The ‘N/S Robot’ is instructed using compass directions and can be a round object with no front or back. The other robot is instructed using, left, right (90o turns), forwards and backwards. It has a front to show which way it is facing. Children sit around a grid placed on a flat surface and demonstrate the movement of the two simple robots on lines of a grid. They work in groups on a problem involving a grid map and write down the moves in code for each of the two robots (Robots 1 Notesheet). Children then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two robots. |
Episode 2: Relating the total number of possibilities to the final score |
Children work with two more sophisticated robots, without using the grid, using angles for directions and length measurements to move directly from one point to the other on the map on the Robots 2 notesheet. The new N/S Robot needs measurements of the angle from north, clockwise, to the nearest 10o to where it is to make its next move. The distance is rounded to the nearest unit on the ruler. The new Left/Right Robot needs measurements of angle (to the nearest 10o) from the direction it is facing to turn for its move. Children then compare the two new robots and eventually all four robots’ advantages and disadvantages. |
Reflection |
Children look back at their work in this activity and suggest real life situations where each system of directions can be used, and discuss how this links to reading maps. |
BEFORE YOU TEACH |
Children need experience of the four points of the compass; measuring length to the nearest centimetre; and measuring angle with full circle protractors to the nearest 10o. You might use a simple activity in which children are standing, and you give instructions to turn left, right, towards north, south etc. The objective of the activity is to think about directions on all levels and not about accuracy of measurements or recording, or full understanding of the concepts by all. |