This lesson introduces students to the core coding concept of sequencing through art. They will learn that to create a picture, a robot must follow a series of instructions in the correct order. This is a hands-on, unplugged activity where students become the "robots" and you are the "programmer."
Materials Needed:
Drawing Tools: A set of crayons or markers in three different colours.
Dot Grid Worksheet: Downloadable from this step.
Begin the lesson by telling the students they're going to be a "robot artist."
Explain that robots need very specific instructions to make art and that they must follow every instruction exactly as it's given.
Show the students the instruction cards.
Each card represents a single action.
Have the students practice each action as you hold up the card.
This helps them connect the symbol to the action.
For example, hold up the ➡️ card and have them trace a line with their finger from one dot to the next.
Give each student a copy of Worksheet 1.
Lay out a simple sequence of instruction cards on the floor or a table.
For example, to draw a simple square, the code would be: ➡️, ⬇️, ⬅️, ⬆️.
Guide the students to follow the algorithm on their worksheet. As you point to each card, they perform the action, drawing a line from one dot to the next.
If mistakes occur during the lesson, tell the students that sometimes, even "robots" make mistakes.
Say, "Oops! My code on the floor looks different from the picture we made. Let's look at the code together to find the bug." Guide them as a group to find the part of their drawing that doesn't match the code.
Get ready to embark on an incredible learning journey! Get access to this lesson and hundreds more in our Digital Skills Curriculum.
