Skip to main content

OZOBOTS




Are you looking for a simple way to add more instructional technology into your school or classroom...Ozobots could be your answer!. These tiny little codable robots are so easy my two toddlers have them on and cruising on code within minutes. I have experience with the smaller and cheaper version the Bit (left image), but there is a more advanced Evo (right image) available now as well.The bit is about $60 but I have seen it on sale for $45 and the Evo is usually $99 but sale price was $75.  I always check the ozobot official website for new bots and accessories.

When I used them I found some great activities in the ozobot education page.  Since I taught 2nd and 3rd graders, I used the 3-5 beginners guide I found.  Always begin with calibration on paper followed by color coding with markers. I followed most of this guide and taught the kids how draw thick consistent lines, corners and paths ways for the Ozo Bit to follow.  I then moved into adding blocks of color code.  This was tricky more many of the kids because free draw with blocks of code needs to be of similar size and shape..like this:

Then I just let them free play, and they LOVED it!  They created towns and made up points for various places Ozo visited.  They made race tracks and even went bowling with them.

When I use these in my classroom, I plan on providing them with a challenge to build classroom management at the beginning of the year.  Like, can you get Ozo to school and home again with only 3 pieces of code? Or as a scavenger hunt around the room.  Can you code Ozo to get the the smartboard and back to your desk?  I also can't wait to try it as a retelling piece for reading comprehension and as a math fact tool too.  Check back in the fall when I implement those ideas for pictures :)

Keep it up buttercup




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2nd Grade Journeys Word Wall

I have transferred to a new school district as well as a new grade so now all of my first grade word lists, cards and high frequency games got moved to the back of the cabinet.  So... I needed to make new 2nd grade versions, of everything. Bummer! First, I wanted to jazz up my word wall  bulletin board.  My school district uses the Journeys reading curriculum so I knew I needed to use those specific word lists.  I like the small white cards that come with our basal set, but I find they all look the same in a big stack by lesson 18, let alone a tower or white by lesson 30.  I instead used an easy to read font and made my own cards just a bit bigger than those sent by the program.  I also added the lesson number and story title to the front of each card.  I love having those right in plain view because it gives the students (and myself, volunteers, or aides) a quick reminder what story/lesson to refer to.  Another trick I like to use each year is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Accelerated Reader...AR

Does your school have the Renaissance AR program?  I have taught with and without the program and have to say I really like having it as an extra tool to measure my kids independent reading comprehension.  The year I didn't have it, I found myself struggling to assess and hold my student accountable for the just right books I was asking them to read each day.  Plus the goal setting option is a big motivator for even struggling students because it usually means there's a prize involved. If you are unfamiliar with AR, it begins with a reading test which is adaptive to the student responses.  The test for my primary age students is about 36 questions, however, if the student gets three of the practice problems wrong at the beginning they are prompted to end the test.  So your early readers may not score until they can read a bit.  It typically takes about 30+ minutes, depending on the kiddo to take the test.  If they are getting the answers correct, the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Transferring Schools!

Yep, it's official.  I have left my school district of 11 years and made the move to a smaller district closer to my home.  Why? Because I love my kids and I became a teacher so I could be a part of their lives at school.  My oldest will be starting kindergarten and it was always my hope that we could go to school together and that I could actually see him every day.  I can't wait to pop in his room during a class party or see him perform at an assembly.  Daycare drop off has caused me severe mom guilt for the last 5 years and now I am one step closer to lessening that feeling.  Thankfully I accepted my new position in January so I had time to plan my move.  Transfering also forced me to declutter and purge all of that accumulated stuff. I set a goal to go through one drawer or crate each week and thoroughly-we're talking literally touching every single piece of paper by the end of each week.  I spent about 30 minutes each week and it paid off bec...
Post a Comment
Read more