Monthly Archives: November 2011

Elementary Robotics Here – How It All Started

When I came to the Williamsburg Schools eight years ago, there was an established robotics program for sixth graders, which I continued.  It was based on the older Lego RCX robots, which were problem prone.  A grade 1/2 teacher and … Continue reading

Posted in Child Development, Robotics, Teaching, Technology | 4 Comments

Integration of Writing and Robots

Wow.  The third graders are writing up a storm with their adventure stories that go along with the WeDo airplane robot.  They also started creating Lego and paper props and backgrounds.  Some students, who are in the FLL, Jr club, … Continue reading

Posted in Robotics, Teaching | 1 Comment

Legos – Does The Idea Come First or the Blocks?

I was building with Legos last night with my 5 year old son and he told me that he thinks of the idea for a Lego creation first and then builds it.  I usually look at the blocks first and … Continue reading

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3 Year Third Grade Students

The third grade robotics students seem very proficient to me in both building and programming.  I started this group in grade 1 with WeDo robotics.  I wish I could quantify this more.  I will be able to compare their open … Continue reading

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Use of Props for Robotics Related Writing

We are doing  the Lego WeDo Adventure Stories unit in third grade.  This unit integrates with language arts, particularly writing.  Students write in a number of different formats (plays, interviews, logs) with their adventure robots as the setting and impetus … Continue reading

Posted in Robotics, Teaching | 2 Comments

iPad versus Computer

I initially saw the iPad as handy way to consume content without having the bulk and  “long” startup times of my laptop.  So I mostly used it to consume content:  check but not write email, check Facebook, web sites, etc.  … Continue reading

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Reaction to Robotics

I walked into one of my third grade class yesterday with the cart of robotics materials and all the kids in the class cheered when I came in.  That does not happen every day!

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