Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Coding and Robotics Lesson Plan: Introduction to Transport
Materials Needed:
– Picture cards of different types of transport (car, bike, bus, aeroplane, boat, etc.)
– Small toy cars or robots
– Coloured paper or card to create a simple road map
– Tablet or computer with simple coding apps (e.g., Bee-Bot, ScratchJr)
– Whiteboard and markers
– Stickers for rewards
– Classroom speaker for sound effects
Learning Objectives:
– Identify different types of transport.
– Understand basic directions (left, right, forward, backward).
– Program a simple sequence using a coding toy/robot to move from one place to another.
Vocabulary:
1. Transport: Ways to move from one place to another (e.g., car, bus, boat).
2. Sequence: A set of steps in a particular order.
3. Forward: Move ahead or in front.
4. Backward: Move back or to the rear.
5. Code: Instructions we give to computers or robots to make them do something.
Previous Learning:
Students have been introduced to basic concepts of movement and directions through songs and games. They have also learned about some types of transport informally.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Difficulty with directional concepts: Use clear visual aids and body movements to demonstrate.
– Following sequences: Break tasks into smaller steps and provide individual support.
– Limited attention span: Incorporate short, engaging activities.
Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Gather students in a circle and show them picture cards of different types of transport.
2. Ask questions like: “What is this?”, “Have you been on a bus?”, and “How does a plane travel?”
3. Introduce the learning objectives: “Today, we will learn about different types of transport and how we can use simple codes to make our toy car move.”
Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Direct Instruction (10 minutes):
– Use the whiteboard to draw simple directions (left, right, forward, backward).
– Demonstrate with a toy car on a simple road map laid out on the floor how it moves following these directions.
- Guided Practice (10 minutes):
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a toy car and a simple coding board (a printed map with directional cues).
- Guide students to program the car to move from a start point to a designated endpoint using basic directional commands.
- Independent Practice (12 minutes):
- Allow students to use a tablet with a simple coding app like Bee-Bot or ScratchJr.
- Assign a task: “Make the bee move to the flower,” showing a similar sequence of directions.
- Provide stickers as a reward for completing the task correctly.
End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Gather students back in a circle.
2. Discuss what they learned and ask a few students to share their experience.
3. Conduct a quick “exit ticket” activity where each student must move a toy car one step correctly using a given direction (e.g., “Move the car forward”).
Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observe students during guided and independent practice to see if they understand and can implement the directions.
– Use the exit ticket activity to confirm understanding of basic coding sequences.
Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– Provide more hands-on assistance and simpler maps for students who struggle.
– For advanced learners, introduce them to more complex sequences or obstacles on the pathway.
– Incorporate sound and music for those who learn better through auditory means.
Teaching Notes:
– Keep the lesson dynamic with lots of movement and interaction to maintain engagement.
– Reinforce positive behaviour and success to build students’ confidence in using coding and robotics.
– Be mindful of students with mobility issues; provide them with alternative ways to participate, such as using a tablet instead of a physical map.
Accessibility Considerations:
– Ensure all materials are within easy reach for all students.
– Adapt materials for students with visual impairments, such as using larger font or tactile maps.
By the end of the lesson, students should have a basic understanding of transport types and the fundamentals of programming sequences to control movement.