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Interactive Habitats & Communities

By Suk Wu
Level
Grades 4-6
Subjects
Science and Technology,
Mathematics
components
  • Programming
  • Design
Tools & Languages
Block-based,
Little Robot Friends

Key Coding Concepts

  • Algorithms
  • Arrays
  • Boolean Logic
  • Debugging
  • Events
  • Functions
  • Loops
  • Sequences
  • Variables

Terminology

Algorithms

A step-by-step set of operations to be performed to help solve a problem

 

Array

Allows you to store more than just one piece of information

 

Boolean Logic

And, or, not are examples of boolean logic. they are values that can be either true or false

 

Debugging

Finding problems or ‘bugs’ in code and solving them

 

Events

One thing causing another thing to happen i.e. ‘when clicked’ block

 

Function

A type of procedure or routine that performs a distinct operation. There are often ‘canned’ functions that exist already like the ‘jump’ block

 

Loops

Running the same sequence multiple times i.e. repeat or forever blocks

 

Sequence

Identifying a series of steps for a task. Computers and Scratch read and perform commands in order from top to bottom

 

Variable

Stores a piece of information i.e. score of a game that increases by 1 value for each goal

Learners will create an interactive diorama with a robotics animal that is related to the choice of habitat. Learners will use Little Robot Friends to create an animal (e.g., an Arctic fox) and program it using LRF blocks.

Prerequisites

Learners should have been exposed to LRF blocks/Scratch programming.

Materials

  • Construction paper
  • Markers
  • Paint
  • Scissors
  • Computers (e.g., Macbook, HP netbooks, etc)
  • Little Robot Friends

Before the lesson…

  • Download the LRF Blocks App on each computer
  • Little Robot Friends need to be connected to be charged
  • Review key coding concepts and ensure you are confident describing them to your group
  • Code/build the lesson’s main project, ensuring you are comfortable with all steps

Learning Goal

We are learning to create an interactive diorama to demonstrate our learning of habitats and communities for Grade 4.

Minds On

Introduce the lesson by demonstrating a Little Robot Friend.

Ask: “How do you think the LRF works?

Elicit answers from the learners.

Activity

Have the learners choose ONE habitat that they would like to create (e.g., Arctic habitat).

Have the learners choose ONE animal that lives in that habitat (e.g., Arctic Fox).

Model how to use LRF blocks to manipulate and change the following:

  • Colours
  • Sounds
  • Motions

Give learners some time to create their interactive LRF animal. How might this animal respond to its environment?

Learners can then decorate their interactive (LRF) animal using classroom resources (e.g., markers, stickers, beads, etc)

After learners have made their interactive animal, they can create a diorama of their respective habitat for their LRF animal.

Consolidation

Learners will showcase their interactive habitats in a science exhibit where they will present their interactive animals and habitats to the learners.

Learners will use the following success criteria to ensure that they have been successful in the assignment.

Success Criteria

We will learn how to use LRF blocks to code
We will create an interactive LRF animal that is connected to their chosen habitat
We will create a diorama to represent our chosen habitat
We will communicate how our chosen Little Robot Animal Friend adapts to its environment
We will present our dioramas in a science exhibit in our classroom and/or school

List out the chosen animals and habitats and work as a class to draw connections between common habitat features or arrange animals into their place within a food chain.

Arctic Fox photo by Pixabay from Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo/animal-arctic-blur-canine-208976/

Little Robot Friends
https://littlerobotfriends.com/

Teach lessons that are tied to your existing curriculum! https://bit.ly/CLClessons

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