approximate time – 30 minutes

Lesson 1:  Finding iPad App, Pairing Sphero, Opening a new Program (this may take a few sessions with Ks)

Demo – How to open app, how to start and name a new draw program, how to Aim Sphero, how to draw letters using their fingers. (make sure they draw fairly small – show what happens if their letters are too large) Explain that Sphero’s light will turn off when they pick their finger up (it’s not drawing then – this is hard for them to grasp) Show them the JavaScript for the letter, and explain that they are learning to code.

Task – Draw the first letter of your name and have Sphero code it. Each person in the group should try it.  Early finishers can try to make their letter go around their partner. (change size/aim)

Pair students or make small groups. Hand out iPads to each group.  Show how to open Edu app, Name and open a draw program.  Send groups off to different parts of the room before letting them open the app to facilitate bluetooth pairing.  Explain that Sphero gets confused if there are other robots too close to it.  Stress that if they are having problems, they should NOT walk around with iPad or Sphero to try to find you, but wait for an adult to check in with them. Make sure to check in with each group!

Lesson 2: Alphabet Game

Demo – Review how to open app, how to start and name a new draw program, how to Aim Sphero, how to draw letters using their fingers. Teach song.

Other Materials – plastic letters in a tub

Twinkle Words – Twinkle twinkle little letter, How I wonder what you are, on my Sphero rolling around, it is drawing on the ground, Twinkle twinkle little letter, how I wonder what you are.

Task – Choose a random letter from the bucket and then put it back. (don’t show your partner) While your partner sings “Twinkle Twinkle little Letter :-)” with their back to you, draw your letter.  At the end of the song, push start and have your partner guess your letter.  Switch places and play again.

Pair students as in lesson 1 and go.

Lesson 3: Changing Colours

Demo – Review how to open app, how to start and name a new draw program, how to Aim Sphero, how to draw letters using their fingers. review song, show how to change colours with the colour wheel.

Other Materials – plastic letters in a tub

Task – Same as lesson 2, only students should change the colour of Sphero’s light to match the colour of the letter they choose with each try.

Pair Students and let them go. They should mostly have this by now.

Lesson 4: Driving

Demo – How to open drive, how to reduce speed, change colour of robot.

Other Materials – chairs or some other stationary object

Task – Change the light to a colour that makes you happy, drive Sphero around the chair and back to you.

Pair students and let them go.

Lesson 5: Driving the ABCs

Demo – Same as lesson 4

Other Materials – Building blocks

Task – Create the letter you were assigned on the floor with the blocks.  Drive Sphero around the outside of the letter as closely as you can.

Pair students and let them go.