BeeBots are an engaging, hands-on way to introduce sequencing, algorithms, programming and debugging to primary and elementary students. In this introductory activity, information will be presented in a clear and concise way so that students can collaborate to plan, create, and run a program. Students will correct through debugging as necessary. The attached resource includes vocabulary and tips for using BeeBot with students. 

Spice things up with students by programming BeeBot to go to specific numbers as a way to reinforce multiples and common factors.  Activity cards, a brief overview, and a student planning sheet are included. 

In this activity, students and teachers are able to sort components of a computer into 4 categories: input, output, process, and store (memory).
Reinforcing the ability to drag and drop, learners are able to identify and begin developing the purpose of each categorized component.

This activity complements the book Hello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer by Linda Liukas and was remixed with permission from the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Computer Science Team.

Key concepts include:
mouse
keyboard
printer
microphone
headphones
monitor
controller
camera
temperature sensor
3-D printer
CPU
GPU
ROM
RAM
Hard Drive
Input
Output
Memory
Process

Set students up for programming success by creating a BeeBot anchor chart!These editable instructions will help students identify their role as planner or driver and set clear expectations of how Bee-Bot is used in computer programming. Tips:Introduce Bee-Bot whole classMake sure students understand the importance of the clear (x) button to erase the previous codealways press clear first to signal a new code (like how a capital letter signals the start of a new sentence) Plan the program in developmentally appropriate steps (some students program one step at a time, while others can program to the end goal)Turn the Bee-Bot off and use it as a game piece to write successful algorithmsHave students write their plan, or algorithm, on a whiteboard instead of using the cardsThe Bee-Bot emulator is perfect for guided practice!   

Students will love programming their "robot teacher" to maneuver around the classroom in this introductory coding lesson. Basic computer science concepts are defined and applied as students work together to plan, create, and test algorithms. Students will recognize that programmers are the brains behind machines and technologies. 

This lesson reviews citizenship expectations as students effectively communicate in small groups and the whole-class setting to prepare for a trip to the Science Museum! Students analyze and sort behaviors into categories, based on the attributes or actions described while reviewing vocabulary critical to a museum visit. Special thanks to the Science Museum of Western Virginia and the Center for Educational Networks and Impacts at Virginia Tech for their advisement and resource contribution to this lesson. 

Springing off of the picture book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, students contemplate diverse cultures and customs before learning about how a computer program translates English to binary code. This resource combines ELA with computer science and includes interactive read aloud questions, a discussion about culturally diverse backgrounds, review of the prefix bi-, introduction of binary language (with a translation chart), and instructions to create binary bracelets.

Words matter, and the words we say to ourselves matter most of all.Through a series of reflective questions, students find their "one word" of focus to encourage and inspire them in the coming months. Appropriate for the beginning of the school year, the start of a new calendar year, or anytime in between, this lesson plan includes ideas for incorporating personal goal setting with writing, digital learning integration, and a follow-up lesson integrating computer science. 

This is a follow-up lesson to One Word: My Mantra which will allow students to write their "one word" in a different language and create classroom decor that will remind them how the classroom community is linked together to support one another in staying focused on their goals.

Students easily identify appropriate and inappropriate online behaviors. This lesson empowers students to collaborate while reviewing strategies to disengage or react when interactions become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. 

Setting and maintaining expectations is an essential indicator of future student success at all grade levels. At the start of each school year, classes review citizenship skills to get reacclimated to the school and the classroom environment. Help students set a strong foundation for their digital lives by teaching digital citizenship and face-to-face skills. In doing so, students will be equipped with tips for safety and success no matter their setting.  

After reviewing tips for following instructions, students will use plane figures to create a mystery image using their teacher's algorithm. Unfortunately, the teacher's directions are not very precise. Students will lend a hand by giving detailed feedback to debug and clarify the set of ordered instructions to successfully build a snowman.   

Co-authored with Kaitlin Read and Udaya DatlaCan you remember a time you've been sick? Why aren't you still sick? How did you get better?Join Udaya Sree Datla, a doctoral student in translational biology, medicine, and health at Virginia Tech, as she presents Infections, Germs, and Immune Cells. The accompanying lessons and resources provide students with an introduction to germs, the immune system, and the career path of an immunologist, all while emphasizing the importance of handwashing and incorporating a computer science twist. The second lesson capitalizes on an opportunity to integrate computer science by introducing students to the career path of computer programming and constructing a set of step-by-step instructions (algorithms) either independently or collaboratively to sequence the steps of handwashing. These resources are part of the Advancing Computer Science Education Grant to support the implementation of Virginia's Computer Science Standards of Learning in partnership with Floyd County Public Schools with additional support from Virginia Tech's Center for Communicating Science and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology.