Coding teaches you problem-solving and computational-thinking skills. This unit, you will get to bring coding to life by learning how to program Spheros to make 2D figures!
Phase I: PREPARE
1. Choose Groups: Carefully choose your group to work with. All groups must have 2 or 3 students. Before you begin the project, view the Leadership Self-Assessment and share which quality you find the most challenging. Brainstorm ways you can hold each other accountable to be great group members. At the end of this project, you will complete an individual Leadership Self-Assessment about your personal contributions to the group.
2. Create Shared Folder: Have one person create a folder in your Google Drive that is titled "Gr5 Unit5 PBL - your names". Share the folder with everyone in your group and have them add the folder to their drive. Also share this folder with Ms. Townsend: [email protected]. All documents you create for your project should be saved in this folder!
2. Create Shared Folder: Have one person create a folder in your Google Drive that is titled "Gr5 Unit5 PBL - your names". Share the folder with everyone in your group and have them add the folder to their drive. Also share this folder with Ms. Townsend: [email protected]. All documents you create for your project should be saved in this folder!
Phase II: PLAN
3. Plan and Design: "Make a Copy" of this Planning Sheet to keep in your Gr5 Unit 5 STEM Challenge folder on Google Drive. Follow the steps carefully to program polygons.
4. Teacher Conferences: Throughout the planning sheet, you will notice the phrase "Teacher Initials", which is a STOPPING POINT for you to check in with Ms. Townsend. Do not interrupt a small group, but you can check in with Ms. Townsend any other time during Math Workshop. If Ms. Townsend is working with a small group when you are ready to conference, take a break from the PBL to work on something else until she is available. Do not move on to the next part until you have met with Ms. Townsend.
4. Teacher Conferences: Throughout the planning sheet, you will notice the phrase "Teacher Initials", which is a STOPPING POINT for you to check in with Ms. Townsend. Do not interrupt a small group, but you can check in with Ms. Townsend any other time during Math Workshop. If Ms. Townsend is working with a small group when you are ready to conference, take a break from the PBL to work on something else until she is available. Do not move on to the next part until you have met with Ms. Townsend.
Phase III: CREATE
5. Create Quadrilateral Presentation: Create a presentation or display (may be online or on paper) about the Four Quadrilaterals you programmed - the square plus 3 additional. Presentation must include:
6. Narrative Writing: Write a fun story about quadrilaterals (create a picture book using Google Slides or paper). The four quadrilaterals you programmed should be the main characters. Include:
7. Wow Factor: After completing all requirements, what else can you do for your WOW factor?
Ideas (NOT REQUIREMENTS):
- Include Screenshots: Or printed pictures of Macrolab scripts for each programmed quadrilateral.
- Define Characteristics: Explain the attributes of each quadrilateral and include a labeled picture of each. What is the most specific name for each quadrilateral? Which additional names can it be called and why?
- Compare and Contrast: the characteristics of the 4 Quadrilaterals. What makes it unique from the others? (Ex. A Rectangle and a Rhombus are alike because they have 4 sides and 2 sets of parallel lines. They are different because a Rhombus must have 4 congruent sides, while a Rectangle must have 4 90 degree angles…)
6. Narrative Writing: Write a fun story about quadrilaterals (create a picture book using Google Slides or paper). The four quadrilaterals you programmed should be the main characters. Include:
- Specific quadrilateral names
- Attributes of each
- Fun pictures of each quadrilateral (they can be creative, but make sure the attributes are accurate)
7. Wow Factor: After completing all requirements, what else can you do for your WOW factor?
Ideas (NOT REQUIREMENTS):
- Create a video showing the programmed Sphero for each quadrilateral.
- Program the Sphero for EVERY triangle or quadrilateral we are learning about in this unit.
- Record a video reading your quadrilateral book and upload it to YouTube (with parent or teacher permission/support). We will share the recorded video with younger grades of students.
- What ELSE can you do to go above and beyond?
Phase IV: REFLECT
8. Group Project Self-Assessment: The Group Project Self-Assessment is at the end of your Planning Sheet. You and your group members will fill this out TOGETHER. Please use complete sentences to evaluate your work. Be specific about your work. Show how many points you deserve for each category, then calculate the score you think you deserve.
9. Leadership Self-Assessment: "Make a Copy" of this Leadership Self-Assessment for each member of your group and save them in your PBL folder for this unit. It will be completed INDEPENDENTLY. Please be honest and provide quality self-reflection. The purpose of this is self-improvement.
9. Leadership Self-Assessment: "Make a Copy" of this Leadership Self-Assessment for each member of your group and save them in your PBL folder for this unit. It will be completed INDEPENDENTLY. Please be honest and provide quality self-reflection. The purpose of this is self-improvement.