Robotics for KINDERGARTNERS

Objective: Provide opportunities to design, build, program and test robotic models

Connection: Build background on simple machines and forces of motion. Utilize hot wheel race cars, spinners & ramps.

Teaching: Introduce the concept of robots. Read books about robots and have the students orally tell a partner their design of "dream" robot. Send students back to tables to draw a picture of "dream" robot and write about it.

Divide students into teams of 3 or less.

Active Engagement: Take out the kits and have students identify the components as I orally name them. Use guides in the boxes to help students with this. (this will help when talking about cube block or axle they are familiar with the terms.
Demonstrate the expectations for materials: clean up procedures, missing/extra pieces, etc.

Guided Exploration: Have students turn in guide book to first design and orally take them through the process of designing the first robot together. This allows them to learn process and questions to be asked before independently exploring in groups. Teacher will model projected on smartboard as students design at the team tables. Test robot on computer.

Independent Exploration: Allow students the freedom of choosing in the guide book for the first one they want to build. Let them get started following directions and building. When they finish building they program it, test it on the computer. If it doesn't work they will go back and problem solve to fix it.