Year 1

Programming – Moving a robot

In this unit, students will be introduced to early programming concepts. They will explore using individual commands, both with other students and as part of a computer program. They will identify what each command for the floor robot does, and use that knowledge to start predicting the outcome of programs. The unit is paced to ensure time is spent on all aspects of programming, and builds knowledge in a structured manner. Students are also introduced to the early stages of program design through the introduction of algorithms.

Lesson 1: Buttons

Learning objectives

To explain what a given command will do

● I can predict the outcome of a command on a device

● I can match a command to an outcome

● I can run a command on a device

In this lesson, students were introduced to floor robots. They talked about what the buttons on a floor robot might do and then tried them out. They spent time linking an outcome to a button press. The students were able to consider the direction command buttons, as well as the ‘clear memory’ and ‘run program’ buttons.

Chiff Chaff, Crow and Cuckoo class used the floor robots. The children gave the Bee-Bot instructions to help it move. They noticed that the Bee-Bot only moved when they pressed a direction button and then the green Go button.

Chiff Chaff class gave the Bee-Bot instructions to follow.

Ezda and Dominic using Bee-Bot.

Zakariya: "Woah, look at the robots moving."

Iyaad: "Let's see which robot is the fastest!"

Crow class talked about what the buttons on a floor robot might do and then tried them out.

Subhan and Ian, matched an outcome to a command.

Rafe could predict the outcome of a command.

Gabriel used the 'clear memory' and 'run programme' buttons.

Cuckoo class - "This is so cool, we did this in Reception. It will only move if we press the buttons!" - Aisha

"If I press the orange arrow (left) then press 'go' it moves to the other side." - Ibraheem

"When I pressed the forward arrow then 'go' it went forwards." Maryam

"We have to take turns to choose the directions and press the buttons." - Suleiman

Lesson 2: Directions

Learning objectives

To act out a given word

● I can follow an instruction

● I can recall words that can be acted out

● I can give directions

Year 1, thought about the language used to give directions and how precise it needs to be. They also worked with a partner to give and follow instructions. These real-world activities were related to the floor robot introduced in Lesson 1.

Lesson 3: Forwards and backwards

Learning objectives

To combine ‘forwards’ and ‘backwards’ commands to make a sequence

● I can compare forward and backward movements

● I can start a sequence from the same place

● I can predict the outcome of a sequence involving ‘forwards’ and ‘backwards’ commands

In this lesson the students focussed on programming their floor robot to move forwards and backwards. They saw that the robot moved forwards and backwards a fixed distance. This highlighted the idea that the robots follow a clear, fixed command in a precise and repeatable way. They thought about starting the robot from the same place each time. Using the same starting position with fixed commands allowed them to predict what a program would do.

Robbie

"I can move my robot forwards and backwards."

Hayaa

"I followed the sequence A. I know how to take the robot back to the start."

Chance

Chance enjoyed following the instructions and making the Beebot move.

Kamal

"I took the robot back to the start."

Cora and Isa

" We predicted that our robot would land on the sun."

Leila and Rafe

" We liked sequence B becuase it went forward, backward, forward and backward."

"We followed the instructions and could predict what would happen."

Maryam

"I programmed my Beebot to move forward, forward, backward, forward."

"I want it to go 1 forward and 2 back." - Kevin

"I predict it will move 1 forward." - Aisha

"It will go forward 1 and back 1." - Matias

" This Beebot will go to Ibraheem forward 5 times." - Yusuf

Lesson 4: Four directions

Learning objectives

To combine four direction commands to make sequences

● I can compare left and right turns

● I can experiment with ‘turn’ and ‘move’ commands to move a robot

● I can predict the outcome of a sequence involving up to four commands

In this lesson, the students used ‘left turn’ and ‘right turn’ commands along with ‘forwards’ and ‘backwards’ commands. This helped them to develop slightly more complex programs. They created their programs in this lesson through trial and error. They also predicted where given programs would move the robot to. They made their predictions by looking at the commands and matching the program steps to movements.

"We tried our best to lanad on the finish square."

"It was tricky but we got to the finish."

"I programmed the Beebot correctly."

"We needed forward, forward, right turn to begin with."

Safer Internet

To help celebrate Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 10th February the students watched a virtual 25 minute Tech We Can assembly for children ages 5-7.

In an engaging and age appropriate manner, Fran, a virtual teacher explained how technology is used to keep us safe online! The children will discover the many ways in which technology helps us to explore the internet safely through the use of privacy settings, safer search engines, parental controls, reporting and blocking tools and more! Fran also highlighted lots of related technology careers which students could pursue in the future to help keep people safe in the online world.

Live Online Assembly

Crow class joined schools from around the country to take part in a live Internet Safety Assembly. They also thought about the different related careers which they may wish to persue in the future to help keep people safe online.

Live Online Assembly

They responded to questions and scenarios. After the assembly they took part in a quiz about talking to people online, personal information, sharing pictures and videos, being kind online and what to do if something feels wrong. There was lots of lively discussion!

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