The Bee-Bot Maps

(Function, Systems)

A few weeks ago, the children saw some Bee-Bots in the Design room. They were curious about them and wanted to know how they worked. Tracey and Patrick went to meet Ms. Jo to borrow a Bee-Bot from the Primary Design Room.

Ms. Jo gave them specific instructions on how to use the Bee-Bot.

When they returned to class, they wrote down the instructions and presented them to the class.

Paths and Maps

In the Secondary Design Centre, the children noticed the paths on the floor. They wondered if the paths were for the Lego robot cars.

  • Tracey “I think this is for the Bee-Bot.”
  • Mason “ I think it is for the new bicycles because I see that line before. The bicycle can ride in there. If you don’t go on the lines you will bump.”
  • Eunice “Arrows because car is go to see arrow and go.”
  • Patrick “When you go on the arrow you can go on the right (correct) way.
  • Kenan “You will bump on the table and on the chair if you go the wrong way.”
  • Tracey “We will look at the side and we will touch the Bee-Bot arrow and the Bee-Bot will go.”

We noticed that the Bee-Bots needed directions to help it move.

The teachers knew that the Grade 1 students had also created maps. We went over to take a look at their maps to see what we could learn.

We noticed a picture on the wall.

  • Patrick “It can help us know where to go. I have it at home. It can tell us which directions to go.”

  • Noah “It’s a map!”
  • Kenan “It’s zoo.”
  • Tracey “The road is for the Bee-Bot but it’s too small for it.”
  • Patrick “Look, a city.”
  • Tracey “My idea is we make a big line and let the Bee-Bot go!”

We were inspired. We wondered how we can create our own maps. The children wanted to include roads, a garden with flowers for Bee-Bot to drink nectar and more! The K2 cartographers began to plan their own paths and maps.

They used directional words to explain movement on the maps. Then, we watch how a group of K1 children had created a city a few years ago. We brainstormed new ideas. What more do we need on a map to make travel a safe experience?

The teachers observed the children using arrows to show direction, symbols and signs to share important information, buildings and places to meet the needs of the robots, and labels to help the reader understand key information

Bee-Bot’s Maps

We look forward to observing how the children use their skills to complete their collaborative project.

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