Pacing Guide
This unit should be implemented to supplement student learning on the concepts of using the Coder to control the behavior of the 123 Robot, and sequencing commands in a project..
STEM Labs can be adapted in various ways to fit into any classroom or learning environment. Each STEM Lab includes the following 3 sections: Engage, Play, and Share (optional).
Each STEM Lab in this unit can be completed in as little as 40 minutes
Section Summary
The Engage and Play sections, which contain the primary learning activities, can be completed within 40 minutes. The Share section, which enables students to express their learning is optional, but estimated at around 3-5 minutes per group.
Click on the tabs below to view descriptions of the Engage, Play, and Share sections of the STEM Lab.
The Pacing Guide
The pacing guide for each Lab provides step-by-step instructions on What, How, and When to teach. The STEM Lab Pacing Guide previews the concepts that are taught in each section (Engage, Play, and Share (optional)), explains how the section is delivered, and identifies all the materials that are needed.
The pacing guide contains the following information:
Lab
Provides the approximate time duration of each section of the Lab.
Description
Provides an overview of what students will do in each Lab.
Materials
Lists the materials that are essential to completing the Lab.
Adapting this Unit
Not every classroom is the same, and teachers face a variety of implementation challenges throughout the year. While each VEX 123 STEM Lab follows a predictable format, there are things that you can do in this Unit to help make it easier to meet those challenges when they arise.
- Implementing in less time:
- In Lab 1, Play Part 2, finish the Side by Side Planning Printable as a whole class, and then have students code the robot to move to the lion in their small groups.
- In Lab 2, skip the Acts and Asks section of Engage and jump right to the Engage Demo. Implement Play Part 1 as written. In Play Part 2, do the path planning section of the Lab as a whole class, and then have students add the Coder Cards to their projects and run them in their small groups.
- Activities to support reteaching:
- For students who need more practice planning and sequencing a project using the Coder, use these 123 Activities in your learning center or with the whole class.
- Flamingos in the Wild (Google Doc/.docx/.pdf) - Students will turn their 123 Robot into a flamingo! They will then plan and create a Coder project that drives their 123 Robot flamingo to the corner of a Tile. This activity uses path planning and Coder Cards that are similar to those in both Lab 1 and Lab 2.
- Move Around (Google Doc/.docx/.pdf) - Students use the Coder to plan a path and then code the 123 Robot to navigate around objects placed on the Field. This activity includes the Turn Around Coder Card.
- For students that need more practice with path planning and sequencing, use the Choice Board activity Plan a Path with a group or the whole class.
- For students who need more practice planning and sequencing a project using the Coder, use these 123 Activities in your learning center or with the whole class.
- Extending this Unit:
- Add additional animals to the Field and have students use the Coder to create new projects to drive to them.
- Have students add a Sound or Looks card to their project to show how the robot reacts to the animals it is visiting.
- Use the Choice Board activities like Touch to Coder Challenge to provide an additional coding challenge for students who are ready, or to extend the Unit in a way that allows students to express their voice and choice in what activities they want to complete.