TWT2011-Integrating+Simple+Robots+into+K-1+Math+Curricula


 * Session: 6. BeeBot: Integrating Simple Robots into K-1 Math Curricula**
 * Presenter: Preeti Fibiger Math Specialist, Lillian Polite Kindergarten Teacher, Jay Heath Technology Integrator**
 * School: Fieldston Lower, Ethical Culture Fieldston School**

Elementary teachers at Fieldston Lower and Ethical Culture have begun utilizing simple floor robots in math curricula to teach concepts of directionality, sequencing and pre-planning. This workshop will focus on how BeeBots were used in our first and Kindergarten classes, with an opportunity for hands-on experiences with the BeeBots.
 * Description:**

After taking this workshop, participants will learn the advantages and strategies of teaching with robotics in lower grades. Kids love these robots and we think you will as well.

Presentation can be found here (I have also embedded the videos below, if they do not work in the presentation) Photos from the session ** here ** and more photos of Fieldston Lower students using BeeBots here

Notes:

 * BeeBot
 * Do you only use the BeeBots for math? Can they be used elsewhere?
 * BeeBot curriculum had a very loose scope and sequence
 * We had a great experience shooting from the hip and really collaborating during class. Since there were often 4 or 5 teachers present during the BeeBot sessions, we were always conferring and sharing thoughts and ideas. Most of what we are so proud of with this unit came during the unit, from students experiences.
 * Next Steps with BeeBots
 * Make more of the BeeBot experience
 * Clothes
 * BeeBot herself
 * maps
 * flags
 * arrows / planning maps
 * integrate BeeBot with literacy curric by creating individual BeeBot stories
 * Thoughts / Responses:
 * Not a huge add-on, very integrated
 * Make a school map for the BeeBot to navigate, add pictures of the community members
 * Upper grades can make more details maps
 * Some students have a difficult time visualizing space, and this can help
 * INtegrate time into BeeBot experience
 * kindergarteners have no sense of time, so comparing to movements of BeeBots, i.e. 5 movements is one minute.
 * Other teachers have used:
 * Computer-based planning software, similar to BeeBot: Trudys Time and Playhouse
 * Zoozoo pets
 * MicroWorlds
 * Model Magic
 * Purchasing
 * BeeBots cost about $50-60
 * google it to find them, we have bought them from Academic SuperStore
 * touchboards.com was very reliable and accepts POs
 * academicsuperstore.com had a good price, but took four months to fulfill and had poor customer service. Not recommended.
 * academicsuperstore.com had a good price, but took four months to fulfill and had poor customer service. Not recommended.

If you begin integrating BeeBots as a result of this session, please email us and let us know what you do! Thanks everyone for attending.

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