4TH GRADE
​LESSON 1:  MY ROBOTIC FRIENDS

LESSON MISSION

​
1.)  I can explain why accuracy is important in coding.​​​​

​2.) I can code instructions with symbols.

​3.) I can debug flaws in code.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

TIME FOR CHANGE
We will only spend 5 minutes on Time for Change.  Please listen to the following instructions and do what I instruct you to immediately!
Picture
You will be working a great deal with your table partners to complete your coding course.  Today we are moving seats so that you can work with a new group of people.  When you get your assignment, please go to your new seat.  Login to the computer and go into Google Chrome and come to this lesson, Unit 3 Lesson 1:  My Robotic Friends.  When you finish logging on, follow the instructions below to watch the Introduction Video.
INTRODUCTION VIDEO
Now, you will watch a brief video about the activity at Code.org.  You will have 5 minutes to read the directions below, log in, and watch the video.
Picture
Follow the instructions below:
  1. Click on your class icon below to go to your Code.org Classroom.  
  2. Put in your password.  
  3. Click on the Unplugged button next to Lesson 1:  Programming - My Robotic Friends.  
  4. Put on your headphones and watch the video.  
  5. When you have finished, put your headphones back on the hook and wait quietly until your classmates have finished.

TOOL BOX

Picture
Look under the toolbox for important terms.
algorithm:  a list of steps to finish a task

bug:  part of a program that does not work correctly

coding:  writing commands or actions as symbols

debugging:  finding and fixing problems in code

function:  a piece of code that can be called over and over

parameters:  extra bits of information that you can pass into a function to customize it

program:  an algorithm that has been coded into something that can be run by a machine

LESSON ACTIVITY

We are going to do the activity that you learned about in the video. 

INSTRUCTIONS

CHOOSE JOBS
I will pass out a group profile card to each group.  You will have 2 minutes to decide who will do the following jobs and to complete your group profile cards.
  1. Choose one person in your group to be the Robot
  2. Choose one person to be the Courier
  3. Choose one person to be the Programmer
  4. Choose one person to be the Manager
  5. Turn in your profile cards to me.
PROGRAMMING PREPARATIONS
You will have 5 minutes to complete your programming preparations.
Robots
  • ​Come to my table and pick up your Robot Bags (1 Bags of Cups and Robot Command Cards.)
  • Find an empty seat at Hoth or Endor.  
  • Look over your Robot Command Cards and practice the movements with your cups.
Couriers
  • ​​Come to my table and pick up your Programming Bag (Cups Image, Coding Sheet, Robot Instructions Worksheet, Bug Notes, and Programming Paper).
  • ​Take it back to the Programmer in your group.
Programmers
  • Take out the contents of the Programming Bag.
  • Show your group the Cups Image.
  • Show your group the Code Card.
  • Ask your group what instructions would you give the robot so that the robot would build a cup tower like the one in the image.
  • Write down the instructions that the group gives you on the Robot Instructions Worksheet.
  • Together, translate the instructions you wrote on the Robot Instructions Worksheet into a coded algorithm using the Code Card.  Write the coded algorithm on the Programming Paper.
Managers
  • ​​You need to keep the group on task.  
  • If someone gets off task remind them of the subject that you are discussing.
  • Watch the time.  Tell the group when there is 2 minutes left and 1 minute left.  Warn them a few seconds before I will call time.
RUN ROBOT PROGRAMS
I will call time when your prep time is up.  Then you will have 10 minutes to program your robot, run its program, and make notes about bugs in the program.  ​
  • ​​Robots will take your Robot Bags to your groups' table.
  • Couriers will bring me your image. (Robots are never to see the original image.)
  • Programmers will give the Programming Card with the coded algorithm to the Robot.
  • Robots will run the program by performing  the movements in the algorithm the Programming Card using the cups.  You may use the Robot Commands Card to help you.  As you perform each movement, say the command out loud.
  • No group members may talk when the Robot is at the table, except for the Robot.  The Robot may only say the commands they are reading.
  • Couriers, Programmers, and Time Keepers use your Bug Cards to make a note of any Bugs in the program.
  • If you notice a bug in the program and it is a result of the Robot incorrectly performing the written code, you may say, "Halt Program.  Restart."  This will let the Robot know that it malfunctioned and read the code incorrectly.  The Robot will start the program over and try it all again from the beginning.
  • If you notice a bug in the program and it is a because the Robot is correctly performing coding that the Programmer wrote down incorrectly.  Make a note of it on your Bug Card.  When the Robot is finished, rewrite the correct code on a new Programming Card.  Tell the Robot to "Run Program Again with New Code."  The Robot will then know that it was a error in the program and will perform the new algorithm.
  • When your Robot correctly performs the task, raise your hands.  I will come check your algorithm and your Robot's program cups.  If you have done it correctly.  I will check your group off for image 1.  Then I will give you a packet of 3 images to translate into coded algorithms.  
  • If you did not do it correctly, I will let you know whether the Robot Malfunctioned or the Programmer coded it incorrectly.  Then your group will try again.
  • This will probably be all you get to today.  If you still have time, you will continue to Practice with Programming.
PRACTICE WITH PROGRAMMING
You will have 20 minutes to code the pack of  three images.
  • After you finish coding an image, raise your hands so that I can check your algorithms.
  • I will mark off each algorithm you correctly code.
  • Do not worry if you do not finish them before I call time.
  • If you do finish all of them before I call time, the members of your group will each receive a piece of candy.

The Rules

  1. Programmers may only use the Robot Command Symbols pictured in the diagram.
  2. The Robot keeps the building cups.  Programmers may not have the cups at any time.
  3. The Programmers must hide the image.  The Robot may not see the image at any time.
  4. Once the Robot comes back to the group, there is NO TALKING!  You may not correct the Robot or communicate with the other programmers.  I will be very strict about this rule.  Violators will be hung by their toes from the ceiling and subject to Ancient Chinese Water Torture!  ... Or, receive a 5 minute time out.
MATERIALS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
GROUP PROFILE CARDS
ROBOT BAGS
PROGRAMMER BAGS
PRACTICE BAGS
LOOK AT THIS EXAMPLE
Let's do an example to make sure you understand the activity.  Look at the image below.  Let's code how to create this image together.
You can follow along on the slideshow below if you like.

What Next?

If there is time left in the lesson, the Robot from the group can come and change out their card and choose one of the others to be the Robot for this program.  When I call time, everyone needs to stop and give me their attention.

REFLECTION

So, did you accomplish the Lesson Mission Today?  Let's find out.  Click on the icon below to do the Robot Friends Challenge.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

CONGRATULATIONS!

Coding Lesson 1:  My Robotic Friends is complete.
​
​You have accomplished your mission!

LESSON RESOURCES

This lesson was created using the following resources.

Code.org

​Studio.code.org. (2017). Code.org. [online] Available at: https://studio.code.org/s/coursef [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].

AL STATE TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS

The following Alabama State Technology Standards were addressed in this lesson:
​
5th Grade Computational Thinker:

Abstraction
  • Standard 1:  Construct a complex system of numbers, letters, or symbols to represent information. Example:  Complex codes in problem solving activities/games.
  • Standard 2:  Publish organized information in different ways to make it more useful/relevant.  Examples: Infographic, student created website.
  • Standard 3:  Develop and recommend solutions to a given problem and explain the process to an audience.

Algorithms
  • Standard 4:  Identify that different solutions exist for the same problem (or sub-problem).
  • Standard 5:  Create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.  Examples: Move a character/Robot/Person through a maze.

Programming and Development
  • Standard 6:  Create a working program in a visual environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in
    programs in collaboration with others.  Examples: Block-based visual programming language.
  • Standard 7:  Demonstrate that programs require known starting values and need to re-initialize upon program completion.
    Examples: Set initial score to zero in a gameStandard 4:  Identify that different solutions exist for the same problem (or sub-problem).