Lesson 1 - What is a Robot?

Lesson Objective: Build background knowledge of robots and the robotic industry.

Materials:
Computer with internet connection
Web Quest 1 (HTML)
Web Quest 1 (PDF)
*3-2-1* Sheet (PDF)

Books:
Robots by, Clive Gifford (2003)
Robot by, Roger Bridgman (2004)

Web Quest Pages:
Web Quest 1 (HTML)
The Tech - http://www.thetech.org/robotics/index.html
Brain Pop.com - Robot Movie & Quiz
http://www.brainpop.com/technology/scienceandindustry/robots/
BBC - Robot's Site

Activity 1 - Read Aloud & Discussion:
Ask students if they know what a robot is, where they have seen robots and share excerpts and pictures of robots in Clive Gifford's Robots (2003), and in Roger Bridgman's Robot (2004). Have a short discussion on what jobs the students notice that robots perform in the world. Make sure to explain that a robot is any machine that perform a task on its own autonomously after it is programmed by humans.

Activity:
In cooperative groups, distribute excerpts of Robots & Robot and ask students to read, chart, and report to the class about jobs Robots perform in the world around them.

Share:
Have each group report their findings to the group. Hang charts in the room or make a Robot book.

Activity 2 - Web Quest
Review with students that a robot is any machine that can perform a task on its own (autonomously) after it is programmed by humans. Students can explore one of 3 different robot websites in pairs or in groups and report their findings back to the class.

Wrap-up/Share:
Have students share their observations/discoveries.

Homework:
Have students find an object at home that is or isn't a robot and explain why.

:: rationale

:: materials

:: lesson plans

    :: lesson 1
    :: lesson 2
    :: lesson 3
    :: lesson 4

:: student work

:: resources