TekBot

The SPIRIT Project

Educational Robotics

Lesson Building Block Template

Author:     David M. Kay

Grade Level:  6 - 9   Date:  08/05/06

Directions: Directions: Definition of a Lesson Building Block:  This is a "Lesson Building Block" from the SPIRIT educational robotics institute.  A 'lesson building block' is in essence an educational activity that might be later turned into a more formal classroom lesson by a creative teacher.  The SPIRIT Institute is striving to put a variety of "lesson building blocks" up on the web for the potential use of teachers as they try to prepare more formal educational lessons using the TekBot robotics platform. 

David Kay

I.  Concepts  (Give a list of one or more concepts that might be taught using this activity)

 Graphing on a two-dimensional coordinate plane.

II.  Standards

      (Give a list of one or two local, state or national standards that appear to apply)

Nebraska State Standard: 

M 8.6.1  By the end of eighth grade, students will demonstrate knowledge and use of the one‑ and two‑dimensional coordinate systems.

Student demonstrations:

- Order numbers on a number line.

- Graph ordered pairs on a coordinate plane.

- Generate a table of ordered pairs to graph an equation in two variables.

III.  Learning Activity Context (Describe the overall context for the learning activity)

     Context:     _X_ Moving TekBot    __ Building a TekBot     __ Engineering / Notebook     __ Other      

     Abstract:  There would be a large two-dimensional coordinate plane on the floor.  The tekbot would start at the coordinate (0, 0) and then be 'driven' directionally E/W and distance measured.  Then, the tekbot would turn and be 'driven' N/S and distance measured.  Every student or group of students would get a turn.  Using the information, the students would be able to graph ordered pairs on a number line.  Then, all the groups' coordinates would be used to create a table of ordered pairs.  Using this information, equations in two variables would be graphed and examined.

IV.  Teacher and Student Suggestions/Tips

     (Provide some general tips or suggestions for trying the activity)

            I would make sure that the teacher is prepared and makes sure the tekbot is charged.  Also, make sure the coordinate plane is created before the activity is started to save time later.  I would NOT make this the first appearance of the tekbot.  Your students would be easily distracted.  (How will you introduce it to the class?)

V.  Teacher Questions 

      (Give a list of questions that teachers might ask students during the activity)

            The teacher can introduce and/or discuss slope, creation of lines, how many points are needed, etc.

VI.  Assessment Ideas

     (Give an idea or two about how the lesson activity might be assessed)

            To assess this activity, I would make sure to give a participation grade, and possibly offer bonus points for ideas created from this activity.  I would also make sure to give completion grades for submitting the coordinates created and finding the slope.

VII.  Other Information

     (Give any other information that might be useful or a visual or two)

VIII.        A materials list

I.  Concepts  (Give a list of one or more concepts that might be taught using this activity)

 Finding area and perimeter.

II.  Standards

      (Give a list of one or two local, state or national standards that appear to apply)

Nebraska State Standard: 

M 12.4.1      By the end of twelfth grade, students will calculate perimeter, area, and volume for two- and three-dimensional shapes.

III.  Learning Activity Context (Describe the overall context for the learning activity)

     Context:     _X_ Moving TekBot    __ Building a TekBot     __ Engineering / Notebook     __ Other      

     Abstract:  After the tekbot is introduced, a student (or group of students) would 'drive' the tekbot a distance, then measure it.  Then, the student would turn the tekbot left or right, drive, measure and repeat until a polygon was formed.  Once the shape was formed, then the area and perimeter would be found.  A class discussion would follow on what shapes were formed, and how area and perimeter were found for those figures.

IV.  Teacher and Student Suggestions/Tips

     (Provide some general tips or suggestions for trying the activity)

            I would make sure that the teacher is prepared and makes sure the tekbot is charged.   I would NOT make this the first appearance of the tekbot.  Your students would be easily distracted.  (How will you introduce it to the class?)

V.  Teacher Questions 

      (Give a list of questions that teachers might ask students during the activity)

            The teacher can introduce and/or discuss definition of polygon, finding area, perimeter, and best way to measure distances from the tekbot.

VI.  Assessment Ideas

     (Give an idea or two about how the lesson activity might be assessed)

            To assess this activity, I would make sure to give a participation grade, and possibly offer bonus points for ideas created from this activity.  I would also make sure to give completion/accuracy grades for submitting simulated pictures to the shapes that were created with the tekbot, which should include proper labeling and formulas.

VII.  Other Information

     (Give any other information that might be useful or a visual or two)

VIII.  A materials list