Robotics & Electronics & LEGOS

Comment by Jacqui Murray on August 10, 2012 at 11:56am

I am teaching robotics this year for my fifth graders. I'll expect a lot of help from you-all!

Comment by Richard Linville on August 10, 2012 at 12:16pm

Yes. Organization and logistics are critical with robotics. The plastic hanging file boxes (cheapest at Target or WalMart) are great for carrying and keeping the robot that a group makes. Fishing tackle boxes are great for parts. I let each group figure out how to organize its messy box. Some organize them neatly; some just keep them messy and do fine. I use Sharpie permanent pens to number boxes and large items for groups. Check out Pages at the Robot & Electronics & LEGOS group for more ideas. Have fun.

Comment by Jacqui Murray on August 10, 2012 at 12:18pm

Good ideas. The MS has theirs just scattered around on a table top. I like this idea better.

Comment by Richard Linville on August 10, 2012 at 12:29pm

Robots are fun but can be messy and as a teacher you need to watch group dynamics. I tell students to clean up as you work and walk around silently pointing out messes to clean. If students don't respond I ask the whole class outloud what are you suppose to do as you work and they yell CLEAN UP AS YOU WORK. Give plenty of time at the end for clean up. As far as group dynamics, if students are having a problem I ask if they want to work alone (I have extra kits for that) or try another group. Sometimes they want to stay in their group and solve the problems.

Comment by Jacqui Murray on August 10, 2012 at 12:47pm

I'm taking notes...

Comment by Richard Linville on August 10, 2012 at 8:11pm

In robotics, students want you to "give" them the answer like, "Which gear it best for climbing?" I tell the students that I don't know the answer or even if I did know it, I want them to figure it out on their own as a group. I explain that the purpose of the robotics is for you to experiment and figure out the answers just like robotic researchers are doing today. Giving students minimal hints and information, I try to be the guide on the side instead of that sage on the stage.

Comment by Sulastri Hartono on August 10, 2012 at 8:44pm

For the primary grades, in the corner of each classroom, we have a small table with raised wooden guards that is one of several learning stations. The raised guards keep the large Duplo Lego pieces inside. It allows the students to do creative free play between the daily Math and Reading learning stations. Every few weeks, we change the colors or figures on the table to surprise the students.

Comment by Jacqui Murray on August 21, 2012 at 9:33pm

I start robotics training tomorrow. The 5th grade team, the tech teachers, science teachers and a trainer. I'll let you-all know how it goes.

Comment by Richard Linville on August 22, 2012 at 4:47pm

Have fun!

Comment by Richard Linville on September 1, 2012 at 1:26am

Jacqui, how's your robotics training going?

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