The activities module for Cycle 1 includes two sequences. The first is entirely unplugged (done without a computer, tablet or robot and using only motor skills development materials) while the second is a plugged activity (using robots).
- The first sequence (entirely unplugged) lets students invent and use a language to program an avatar's movements. Little by little, they enrich this language with new instructions, tests and loops.
- The second sequence (entirely plugged) introduces students to the basics of robotics: understanding that a robot can interact with its surroundings (by manipulating a Thymio robot); for more information).
A review lesson is available: it can be taught after Sequence I or Sequence II.
Lesson summary
Sequence I: Playing Robot
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Lesson |
Title |
Summary |
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Moving an object around a grid |
Students learn how to give precise orders to an avatar to control its movements around a grid. |
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Challenge: Programming an avatar's movements along a route |
By combining instructions from the previous lesson, students design a program to create a complex route for an avatar. |
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Formative assessment: Other routes, other programs |
The students write and interpret programs for other routes. |
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Conditional routes: Treasure hunt |
Students enrich their programming language with conditional constructs (if–then statements). |
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(Optional) A route of any length: Loops |
When routes become long or complex, students begin to understand the importance of simplifying a program: they discover that loops can be used to avoid repetitions. |
Sequence II: Playing with robots
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Lesson |
Title |
Summary |
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Introduction to the Thymio robot |
Students are introduced to the Thymio robot and learn how to manipulate it. |
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Colors and behaviors |
Students learn that Thymio has several modes and can behave differently depending on the chosen mode. |
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Thymio in Investigator mode |
Students discover Thymio’s turquoise mode and prepare a route that Thymio can follow alone. | |
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Challenge: Get Thymio through a maze |
Students build a maze and must find all possible ways to get Thymio through it. |
Conceptual scenario: "Cycle 1 computer science"
The key ideas covered during these two sequences for Cycle 1 can be organized as follows. (click to enlarge the image)
| Pedagogical module | Cycle 2 activities >> |