Robots

Summary

Materials

• Day 7 PowerPoint deck
• Asphodel Follows Directions
• Note: More educator information regarding Asphodel's code can be found here.
• Robots in MakeCode Arcade Handout
• Robots in MakeCode Arcade Handout in Word
• Robot Drawing program
• Robot Practice Field
• Practice Robot Question

Instructional Activities and Classroom Assessments

1. Algorithm Review (5 minutes)
2. Introduce the Robot on the AP CSP Exam (5 minutes)
3. Robot Practice as a Class (30 minutes)
4. Individual Robot Practice (10 minutes)

Learning Objectives

• AAP-1.B
• AAP-2.A
• AAP-2.B
• AAP-2.G
• AAP-2.H
• AAP-2.J
• AAP-2.K
• AAP-2.M
• AAP-3.A
• AAP-3.C

Essential Knowledge

• AAP-1.B.1
• AAP-1.B.2
• AAP-1.B.3
• AAP-2.A.1
• AAP-2.A.4
• AAP-2.B.1
• AAP-2.B.6
• AAP-2.G.1
• AAP-2.H.1
• AAP-2.H.2
• AAP-2.H.3
• AAP-2.J.1
• AAP-2.K.1
• AAP-2.K.2
• AAP-2.K.3
• AAP-2.M.2
• AAP-3.A.1
• AAP-3.A.2
• AAP-3.A.3
• AAP-3.A.4
• AAP-3.A.5
• AAP-3.C.1

Details

0. Before class

• Use AP Classroom to curate some robot questions students can practice.
• Assign the questions to students so the questions will be available when it is time for students to practice independently.
• Print the Robot Practice Field document to give students:
  • Students can use it to help them track the robot's path according to the code.
  • If you have erasers or Lego people you can give students one to use as their robot.

1. Algorithm review (5 minutes)

• Remind students of the definition of an algorithm.
• Remind students of the existing algorithms you have already discussed:
  • Determining the maximum or minimum value of two or more numbers.
  • Computing the sum or average of two or more numbers.
  • Identifying if an integer is or is not evenly divisible by another integer.
• Introduce a fourth example of existing algorithms:
  • Determining a robot's path through a maze.
• Review the three types of programming constructs used in algorithmic implementations:
  • Sequencing
  • Iteration
  • Selection
• Review Variables:
  • Remind student of the definition of a variable.
  • Discuss what an assignment operator does in a program.
  • Explain that the value stored in a variable will be the most recent value assigned.
  • Practice determining the value of a variable.

3. Introduce the Robot on the AP CSP Exam (5 minutes)

• Use the slides to demonstrate the movement of the robot.
• Discuss the instructions and explanations regarding robots on the Exam Reference Sheet.
• Remind students of the definition of iteration.
• Discuss the instructions and explanations regarding iteration on the Exam Reference Sheet.

4. Individual Robot practice (10 minutes)

• Direct students to either AP Classroom.
• Instruct them to complete the assignment you created.
• If students do not finish (and the assignment does not involve secure questions on AP Classroom), students can finish for homework.

5. Robots in MakeCode Arcade (10 minutes)

• Direct students to the Robots in MakeCode Arcade page.
• Instruct them to play the Asphodel Follows Directions game, and experiment with the Robot Drawing program.