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The Teacher Who Makes Learning Fun!

 I was recently in a second-grade classroom working with the teacher and students to create a foundational understanding of using the compass rose. Later in the day, these same students saw me in another part of their school and excitedly told their teacher "I just saw the teacher who makes learning fun!" I laughed when the teacher told me that story, but it shows that students want to learn more when they have fun learning!
Here's how I created that culture in their classroom. First, I thought about what tool would make this learning stick and what was the best tech tool to achieve the level of learning necessary to use a compass rose. That's where the Sphero Bolt robots come in. Bolt robots connect to the SpheroEDU app. In the app, the heading function looks like an unmarked compass rose! Primary students initially recognize the heading tool as a compass rose. I used that recognition to my advantage!
(Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub)
I created an activity in which students used cardinal and intermediate directions to draw the path they thought the robot would take when it was programmed. Once they predicted the paths (and drew them), they had to program the robot to follow the same directions. Then, they had to draw the actual path the robot took. Next, students had to compare the two paths and discuss the differences between the prediction and the actual path. This engaged their critical thinking and problem-solving skills!

(Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub)
Students felt empowered while having fun. They enjoyed looking at the two drawings to find differences. They were also excited to use the robots—something they had been told was only for big kids! The level of excitement in the room as they completed this activity was palpable. 
(Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub)
The second part of this activity involved the students applying their new navigation skills to a world map. Their social study standard involves knowing the 7 continents, the equator, the north and south poles, and the northern and southern hemispheres. I created several different task cards for students to use as they navigated around a world map. One was the normal, expected actions students should be able to do. The next was a challenge card with skills students should be able to do with some scaffolding. The last one was for students to create their own adventure! Every group finished the first task card. Over half the groups almost completed the challenge card. Two groups worked on creating their own adventure! Every student mentioned how much fun they had as they adventured around the map!
Task Cards
(Photo Credit: Vicki's Tech Hub)

(Photo Credit: Vicki's Tech Hub)

(Photo Credit: Vicki's Tech Hub)
What are you waiting for? Get adventures and help your students have fun learning!

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