Series of 4-6+ Lessons

Pupils learn to create short sequences of instructions (algorithms) and enter these as very simple programs on the Blue-Bot floor robots (or similar). They learn how to spot and correct errors in their program (debugging).

Objectives

I can create a sequence of instructions.
I can program a floor robot to move to a specific point.
I can debug errors in a program.

ELG 15 Technology: children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes

P Levels p 7/8 CS

Follow a short sequence of instructions to operate a digital device
Give simple instructions to control a range of digital devices
Understand that digital devices can be controlled in different ways
Appreciate that changing instructions can change outcomes
Can identify the steps of a known task
Try alternative approaches in order to achieve a goal
Understand that we control digital devices by giving them instructions.
Can list the steps of a known task in order
Independently follow a short sequence of instructions to achieve a specific outcome
Create a short sequence of instructions to control a digital device
Change instructions to achieve a different outcome.

Activity/Lesson 1 of 5/6

Giving instructions – Unplugged activity

Model with a teacher and assistant giving instructions where one behaves like a robot.

Eg. Walk forward, walk backwards, turn to face the door, turn round. (make it fun as the robot walks into things because they haven’t been told to stop or walk for a certain number of steps)

Depending on pupil’s confidence and ability

Pair Groups of Pupils to do the activity for themselves

Model the robot again with the teacher and introduce the Blue-Bot Arrows and turn cards to represent the actions. Model repeating the words forwards, backwards, turn left, turn right (1/4 turn)

Extension: Introduce the clear $C:\Users\catherineelliott.ENTSTAFF.020\Pictures\beebot\clear.png$ and Go $C:\Users\catherineelliott.ENTSTAFF.020\Pictures\beebot\go.png$ actions

Links PE – can be started in PE

Download multiple arrow images from Barefoot Computing Here

Activity/Lesson 2 of 5/6

Giving instructions – Introducing the Blue/Bee-Bot

Go over the teacher and pupil’s instructions activity Model with adult and pupils if possible

Introduce the Blue-Bot

Show the buttons and what they do
Allow the pupils to explore the Blue-bot on their own or in small groups.

Explain pupils are going to be controlling the robots to make them move in this lesson.

Model making Blue-Bot go and introduce the Blue-Bot Arrows and turn Paper/cards to represent the actions. Model repeating the words forwards, backwards, turn left, turn right (1/4 turn) as you use them.

Depending on pupil’s confidence and ability

Pair Groups of Pupils to do the activity for themselves

Extension: Introduce the clear $C:\Users\catherineelliott.ENTSTAFF.020\Pictures\beebot\clear.png$ and Go $C:\Users\catherineelliott.ENTSTAFF.020\Pictures\beebot\go.png$ actions

Download multiple arrow images from Barefoot Computing Here

Activity/Lesson 3 of 5/6

Giving instructions – Programming the Blue/Bee-Bot 1

Go over the previous activity – Model with adult and pupils if possible

Remind pupils about the Blue-Bot and what the buttons do

Show the buttons and what they do
Allow the pupils to explore the Blue-bot on their own or in small groups.

Explain to the pupils they are going to be controlling the robots on a grid in this lesson.

Using a 2×2 grid (sheet of paper with a 2×2 square grid drawn 15cm squares) or download from Barefoot Computing

Model using paper/card arrow commands from last lesson first eg. the clear, arrows and go commands find the flower.

Depending on pupil’s confidence and ability:

Pair/ Groups of Pupils to do the activity for themselves
Move the flower to a new position.
Program the Blue-Bot
Add different grids and images

Extension: use a 2×3 grid to do similar activities

Download multiple arrow images and grids from Barefoot Computing Here

Activity/Lesson 4 of 5/6

Giving instructions – Programming the Blue/Bee-Bot 2

Model the activities from last time:

Remind pupils about the Blue-Bot and what the buttons do

Show the buttons and what they do
Allow the pupils to explore the Blue-bot on their own or on small groups.
Remind them about the grid and modelling with paper arrows and on the paper on the floor

Explain to the pupils they are controlling the robots by programming and the set of instructions is called an Algorithm

An Algorithm is a set of instructions to make something happen.

Note that you are introducing the algorithm concept that will be taught in CS in the following years.

Continue using grids with the pupils. (sheet of paper with a square grid drawn from 15cm squares) or download from Barefoot Computing

Model using paper commands first eg. the clear, arrows and go commands find the flower.

Use other Mats from TTS or make your own

Make a simple game where one pupil creates a set of instruction and the second one follows it to see where they end up.

Depending on pupil’s confidence and ability:

Pair/ Groups of Pupils to do the activity for themselves
Program the Blue-Bot
Add different grids and images

Download multiple arrow images and grids from Barefoot Computing Here

Activity/Lesson 5 of 5/6

Giving instructions –Blue/Bee-Bot Debugging instructions

Highlight the successes from last lesson:

Get pupils to show their instructions or algorithms
Remind the pupils that the set of instructions is called an Algorithm
Model some of your mistakes and why it didn’t work when you tried it out.
Explain that they are going work on improving their instruction by finding the faults/errors or bugs.

Debugging is the process of finding and removing mistakes in computing algorithms or instructions.

Note that you are introducing the debugging concept that will be taught in CS in the following years.

Set out some instructions on paper and get the group to suggest if it will work – use the paper grids or the mats you have.

Use other Mats or make your own

Make a simple game where one pupil creates a set of instructions that doesn’t work and the second one follows it to see where they end up and then corrects the instructions or debugs.

Depending on pupil’s confidence and ability:

Pair/ Groups of Pupils to do the activity for themselves
Program the Blue-Bot and then debug
Some may find the idea of deliberately making a mistake difficult and need support.
This may work well over two lessons

Download multiple arrow images and grids from Barefoot Computing Here

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