5th grade dash robot lesson

2 min read 03-02-2025

This lesson plan provides a comprehensive guide for introducing 5th graders to the Dash robot, focusing on coding fundamentals, collaborative learning, and creative problem-solving. We'll explore various coding activities suitable for this age group, emphasizing engagement and fun.

Getting Started: Introducing Dash

Begin by introducing the Dash robot. Let students physically interact with it, explore its features (sensors, lights, sounds), and get a feel for its responsiveness. This hands-on approach immediately grabs attention and fosters curiosity. Discuss the robot's capabilities: movement, sound production, light displays, and its potential for programming.

Key Concepts to Cover:

Sequence: Understanding that commands are executed in order.
Loops: Repeating a set of commands.
Events: Actions triggered by sensors (e.g., proximity sensor detecting an object).
Conditional Statements: Making decisions based on conditions (e.g., if Dash detects an obstacle, turn).
Debugging: Identifying and fixing errors in code.

Lesson Activities: Coding Challenges and Collaborative Projects

This section outlines several age-appropriate activities using the Dash robot and its accompanying coding app (Wonder Workshop's Blockly app is recommended for 5th graders due to its visual, block-based interface).

Activity 1: Obstacle Course Challenge

Objective: To program Dash to navigate an obstacle course.

Materials: Dash robot, coding app (Blockly), markers, cones or other objects to create an obstacle course.

Procedure: Divide students into small groups. Each group creates a simple obstacle course. They then collaboratively program Dash to navigate the course, using various commands to avoid obstacles and reach a designated endpoint. This fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills. Encourage experimentation and different approaches to solving the challenge.

Activity 2: Dance Party!

Objective: To program Dash to perform a dance routine.

Materials: Dash robot, coding app (Blockly), music (optional).

Procedure: Students work individually or in pairs to program Dash to execute a dance sequence. This can involve incorporating movement, lights, and sounds. Playing music in the background can add to the fun and creativity. This activity encourages expression and creative coding.

Activity 3: Storytelling with Dash

Objective: To use Dash to tell a story.

Materials: Dash robot, coding app (Blockly), props (optional).

Procedure: This activity involves integrating narrative into coding. Students create a short story and then program Dash to act it out. They can use movements, sounds, and lights to represent different characters or events in the story. This encourages imaginative thinking and blends coding with creative writing.

Assessment and Extension Activities

Assess student understanding through observation during activities, reviewing their code, and discussing their problem-solving strategies. Extension activities could involve:

Advanced coding challenges: Introduce more complex programming concepts, such as functions or variables.
Robot design and customization: Encourage students to decorate their Dash robots to reflect their personality or the projects they've created.
Research and presentation: Students could research different types of robots and present their findings to the class.

Conclusion: Fostering Future Innovators

This lesson plan provides a dynamic and engaging introduction to robotics and coding for 5th graders. By focusing on collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, it helps students develop valuable 21st-century skills while having fun with technology. The hands-on nature of the activities ensures a memorable and impactful learning experience, laying the foundation for future explorations in STEM fields. Remember to encourage creativity and experimentation—the possibilities with Dash are endless!