This graphic shows how the skills needed to produce high standard are progressively developed from step one through to progression step five. Use this when planning activities to ensure that progression in skills and the appropriate level of challenge are central to any task.
Embedded Files
🤖 Sphero / Sphero Indi
🤖 Sphero / Sphero Indi
Sphero Indi offers a fun and interactive way for young learners in Welsh primary schools to begin their coding journey. Designed with early-stage learners in mind, Sphero Indi uses color-coded tiles to introduce students to foundational coding concepts such as sequencing, patterns, and problem-solving—without the need for screens. By arranging colored tiles to guide the movements of their Sphero Indi robots, students explore cause-and-effect relationships and develop computational thinking in a hands-on, creative environment. As they work through different challenges, learners gain confidence in designing solutions and understanding basic algorithms. Sphero Indi aligns perfectly with the Curriculum for Wales’s emphasis on active learning, providing an accessible and engaging way for young children to build essential coding and problem-solving skills.
Sphero Bolt offers a versatile and dynamic tool for advancing coding skills in Welsh primary and secondary schools. With its programmable sensors, LED matrix, and advanced movement capabilities, Sphero Bolt allows learners to engage with more complex coding challenges as they progress through the curriculum. Through both block-based and JavaScript coding, students can program Bolt to perform intricate tasks, such as navigating mazes, responding to real-time sensor data, or interacting with other devices. These activities deepen their understanding of loops, conditionals, and functions while fostering problem-solving and collaboration. Sphero Bolt encourages creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork, allowing students to see the tangible outcomes of their code in real time. By integrating Sphero Bolt into the classroom, educators can align with the Curriculum for Wales’s goals of developing digitally competent learners who are prepared for the future.
⭐ TINKER TIME!
⭐ TINKER TIME!
Allow children “Tinker time” to get hands on and experiment before formal learning takes place. The children will quickly learn how the robot works and what the coloured tiles do.
⭐ CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT!
⭐ CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT!
Each kit includes everything a small group of children will need. Consider including only the necessary tiles for each lesson to avoid distraction.
⭐ STORYTELLING AND PLAY!
⭐ STORYTELLING AND PLAY!
Create simple stories and play scenarios that involve the Sphero Bolt robot. For example, you can have the robot play the role of a character in a story, navigating through a homemade obstacle course or going on an adventure. This makes learning fun and engaging, helping children to associate coding with creative play.
⭐ ROBUST!
⭐ ROBUST!
The robots are robust, however always remember to pick them up by the front and back no via the moving wheels to avoid damaging the motor.
⭐ GLITCH!
⭐ GLITCH!
Some classroom floors may have coloured patterns that may interact with the colour sensor. If you notice this happening, place the colour tiles edge to edge to avoid any interference from other colours.
Suggestions 🔎
Suggestions 🔎
Edu App
Play App
Sphero Indi
Sphero Bolt
Bolt Mini
Sphero RVR
Here are some applications and software that you can use to develop computational thinking skills. These are a small selection - there are MANY more available. It is essential that you select the applications and software that is suitably matched to the learner's stage and that each learner experiences a range of these applications as they apply and develop their digital skills.
PS1 - Developing coding using Sphero Indi
PS1 - Developing coding using Sphero Indi
What does good look like?
What does good look like?
In Progression Step 1, good practice with Sphero Indi involves learners engaging in playful, hands-on activities that introduce them to the basics of coding and problem-solving. At this stage, students use color-coded tiles to program the movement of their Sphero Indi robots, developing an early understanding of sequencing, cause-and-effect, and pattern recognition. Good practice emphasizes curiosity and exploration, with learners experimenting with different tile arrangements to achieve specific outcomes, such as guiding Indi through a simple maze. Collaboration is encouraged, with students working together to solve challenges, fostering communication and teamwork. The focus is on building confidence and foundational skills in a fun, interactive environment that aligns with the Curriculum for Wales’s emphasis on active, experiential learning and nurturing creative contributors from an early age.
How about...
How about...
After reading a simple story, such as The Gruffalo or We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, students can design a journey for Sphero Indi based on the story’s events. Using color-coded tiles, they’ll create paths to represent key moments or challenges in the story, guiding Indi through different “scenes” from the book.
Introduce colors and patterns by having children arrange the color-coded tiles in the order of a rainbow or other sequences. Students program Indi to follow the correct color pattern, developing both coding and color-recognition skills.
Create a mini farm on the classroom floor using paper or toy animals, and challenge students to guide Indi to visit each animal. Students can use color tiles to navigate Indi from one “animal pen” to another while discussing the animals’ names, sounds, and habitats.
Set up a simple maze with obstacles (e.g., paper walls or classroom objects) and challenge students to guide Indi through it using color tiles. Students will predict the best path, place tiles accordingly, and adjust their coding when things don’t go as expected.
⭐ Skills ⭐
⭐ Skills ⭐
Awesome algorithms!
Awesome algorithms!
Pupils can identify the outcome of simple combinations of sequences using colour tiles.
Story Telling with Indi
Story Telling with Indi
Pupils can use Indi to sequence or retell simple stories.
Creating simple sequences
Creating simple sequences
Pupils can create simple sequences using forward, backwards, left and right to instruct Indi to certain places on a map.
PS2 - Progressing with code using Sphero Bolt
PS2 - Progressing with code using Sphero Bolt
What does good look like?
What does good look like?
Effective use of Sphero Bolt focuses on deepening learners’ understanding of foundational coding concepts while promoting creativity and problem-solving. Good practice involves students using block-based coding to program Sphero Bolt to perform simple tasks, such as navigating a course, responding to sensor data, or displaying patterns on the LED matrix. At this stage, learners are encouraged to experiment with loops, sequencing, and basic conditional statements, enabling them to see the real-world impact of their code in action. Collaboration, communication, and reflection are key, with students working in pairs or small groups to troubleshoot and refine their programs. Engaging in these hands-on activities fosters curiosity and resilience while aligning with the Curriculum for Wales’s emphasis on active, experiential learning, helping learners become creative, independent problem solvers.
How about...
How about...
Maze Masters: Navigating Sphero Bolts Through Custom Obstacle Courses
Light Show Extravaganza: Creating a Sphero Bolt Light and Sound Performance
Maths with Sphero: Learning shape names and properties by Programming Robot Movements
Sphero Dance Party: Choreographing Dance Routines with Sphero Bolts
Treasure Hunt: Using Sphero Bolts to Explore Maps and Find Hidden Treasures
Emotion Robots: Expressing Feelings Through Sphero Bolt Movements
Speed and Direction: Experimenting with Aiming and Adjusting Sphero Bolt's Speed
Debugging Detectives: Finding and Fixing Errors in Sphero Bolt Programs
⭐ Skills ⭐
⭐ Skills ⭐
Problem Solving
Problem Solving
Breaking down a problem by understanding components of a problem and applying this to using Sphero within an obstacle course for example.
Debug
Debug
Pupils begin to identify simple errors in their code and use problem solving skills to solve them.
Exploring loops
Exploring loops
Pupils can begin to use loops to enable them to make their code more efficient by repeating certain elements.
Developing storytelling with Spheros
Developing storytelling with Spheros
Pupils can use block-based coding to program the Sphero Bolt robots to act out parts of a story, using more advanced sequencing.
PS3 - Deepening understanding of coding
PS3 - Deepening understanding of coding
What does good look like?
What does good look like?
Using Sphero Bolt effectively means developing more advanced coding skills while fostering critical thinking and innovation. Good practice at this stage involves students programming Sphero Bolt to solve complex challenges, such as navigating obstacle courses, interacting with other devices, or responding to real-time sensor data. Learners are encouraged to explore deeper coding concepts, including variables, functions, and multi-step algorithms, using both block-based coding and, where appropriate, transitioning to text-based programming like JavaScript. Collaboration and communication are essential, with students working in groups to design, test, and debug their programs, learning to reflect on and improve their strategies. These activities support the Curriculum for Wales’s goals of developing problem-solving, resilience, and digital competence, ensuring students are well-prepared for future technological learning and challenges.
How about...
How about...
A poetry lesson, where the children create acrostic poems, where the children write an acrostic poem, they then program use the canvas blocks, where they will use movement, lit up letters and sound in order for their robot to perform their acrostic poem.
A science lesson, where children learn about mimicry of animals, when an organism in nature copies the behaviour or appearance of another organism to aide survival. Children will discover various ways that their Sphero robot can be programmed for movement. Then they choose an animal from the animal sounds list and mimic the animals appearance and its movement with the robot. Children will research organisms, choose and animals to use and then programme using the block canvas.
⭐ Skills ⭐
⭐ Skills ⭐
Functions and Loops
Functions and Loops
Pupils can use functions and loops to speed up their coding process, allowing for their code to be concise and accurate.
Multi-Step algorithms
Multi-Step algorithms
Pupils can code using multi-step algorithms successfully to achieve a desired outcome.
Variables
Variables
Pupils have explored and used variables in their coding, to keep track of a score or measure distance travelled.
Decomposition
Decomposition
Pupils can break down the challenge set into small chunks to make it manageable and easier for them to understand.
Text based coding
Text based coding
Pupils have begun to explore using text-based coding to program the Spheros, such as JavaScript, moving on from block coding.
Conditional Statements
Conditional Statements
Pupils can use sensor data from the Spheros to allow them to embed simple conditional statements, such as ‘if… then…’.
PS4 - Advanced Concepts
PS4 - Advanced Concepts
What does good look like?
What does good look like?
In Progression Step 4, effective use of Sphero Bolt involves students applying their coding knowledge to tackle more complex challenges and projects that encourage creativity and innovation. Good practice at this stage focuses on learners utilising both block-based and text-based coding languages to program Sphero Bolt for intricate tasks, such as creating multi-step algorithms, incorporating sensors for environmental interactions, and developing interactive games or simulations. Collaboration is essential, with students working in teams to brainstorm ideas, design their projects, and troubleshoot any issues that arise during coding. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and reflection, encouraging students to evaluate their coding strategies and refine their approaches. By engaging in these hands-on activities, learners not only deepen their understanding of advanced coding concepts but also enhance their problem-solving skills and digital literacy, aligning with the Curriculum for Wales’s goal of developing innovative, capable individuals ready for the future.
How about...
How about...
Designing an algorithm and programme a Sphero robot to become a robot PT instructor and deliver an interactive exercise class.
Pupils can use Sphero Bolt to explore concepts of measurement and geometry. After learning about distance and angles, Pupils can create a course on the classroom floor with tape or markers. They can then measure the distances and angles they want Sphero Bolt to travel, programming it to navigate the course accurately.
Pupils can investigate the principles of forces and motion using Sphero Bolt. They can conduct experiments to see how different surfaces (like carpet, tiles, or wood) affect the robot’s speed and distance traveled. Pupils can program Bolt to move at varying speeds and record their observations, discussing the impact of friction and gravity on motion.
Pupils can use Sphero Bolt to explore mapping and geography concepts. They can create a large map on the classroom floor representing different countries or continents. Students can program Sphero Bolt to travel to specific locations on the map, learning about the geographical features, cultures, and landmarks of each place as they go.
⭐ Skills ⭐
⭐ Skills ⭐
Algorithms by design
Algorithms by design
Pupils can design an algorithm to allow a Sphero to carry out a specific task, using a success criteria follow.
Lights, Sphero, Action!
Lights, Sphero, Action!
Pupils can code a range of interactive elements into the Sphero, i.e. sound, flashing lights, display text etc.
Prototyping
Prototyping
Pupils can create a range of prototypes when coding, testing out different codes and deciding which code is fit for purpose.
Evaluate… EVALUATE!
Evaluate… EVALUATE!
Pupils are able to evaluate the effectiveness of their algorithms, take feedback and implement changes to improve their code.
Mix and Match!
Mix and Match!
Pupils can extend and join different aspects of their code together to create more intricate interactive experiences or games using a range of their skills.
Created in partnership with...
Created in partnership with...
Blackwood Comprehensive School
Blackwood Comprehensive School
Blackwood Primary School
Blackwood Primary School
Libanus Primary School
Libanus Primary School
The Federation of Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary
The Federation of Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary
The Federation of Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary
The Federation of Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary
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