Pacing Guide

This unit should be implemented to supplement student learning on the concepts of programming language, robot behaviors, 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.

Engage (20 minutes)

The Engage section is the introductory section designed to capture the student’s attention. This section is intended to be a whole-class activity. It includes a hook, a leading question that personalizes the learning for students, and the build that will be utilized to create a hands-on, exploratory learning experience that places STEM into the hands of young learners.

Play (20 minutes)

The Play section is split into 3 parts in order to structure learning while maintaining student interest: Part 1, Mid-Play Break, and Part 2. In Play Part 1, students will run an investigation, test, and/or make predictions about scientific phenomena using their build as it relates to the key concepts of the unit. The Mid-Play Break includes a discussion of Part 1 and transition to Part 2. In Play Part 2, students will continue to explore their builds and deepen their understanding of key concepts by applying their knowledge in new ways.

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.

Lab 1 - Code and Read

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Engage

Students will be introduced to the concept of a programming language in the context of the touch buttons on the 123 Robot.

Play

Students will write a simple word, and use the touch buttons on the 123 Robot to code their robots to drive over each letter so that they can sound out the word, to read it with their 123 Robots. First, they will do this in their own groups, then they will code their 123 Robots to read the words written by other groups.

Share

Students will share what words they read, and discuss how they used the touch buttons to code their 123 Robots to perform behaviors in the correct sequence to read a word.

Materials Needed

123 Robot
Lab 1 Image Slideshow
123 Tiles
Dry erase marker
White board eraser

Lab 2 - Code and Clean

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Engage

Students will first create an “invention” to help their 123 Robots push items, and will attach their inventions to the Art Ring. Then they will see how they can use the touch buttons to code the 123 Robot to push items off of a 123 Tile, to “clean their room.”

Play

Students will build on what they did in Lab 1, with more of an emphasis on sequencing, to use the touch buttons to code their 123 Robots to solve a challenge by clearing items off of a 123 Tile.

Share

Students will share how many items they cleaned up and show their projects to the class to highlight the different ways that students went about achieving the same goal.

Materials Needed

123 Robot
Lab 2 Image Slideshow
123 Tiles
Dry Erase Marker
123 Robot Art Ring
Classroom art supplies (pipe cleaners, pom poms, etc.)
Dry erase marker (optional)
White board eraser (optional)

Adapting this Unit to Your Classroom

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:
- For a coding-focused quick implementation of Lab 1, complete Play Part 1 as whole group instruction, and have all groups read the same word as a class. Then, in Play Part 2, provide the words on the 123 Tiles for students, and have them focus on using the touch buttons to code the 123 Robot to drive through the letters of the word in the correct sequence.
- In Lab 2, skip the invention activity in Engage, and have students jump right into coding the 123 Robot to clear the 123 Tile.
Activities to support reteaching:
- For students who need more practice planning and sequencing a project, use these 123 Activities in your learning center or with the whole class.
  - Robot Count (Google / .docx / .pdf) — Students will write numbers on the 123 Tile squares, then code the 123 Robot to drive to the numbers in order. Students will need to sequence touch button presses to have the robot drive to the numbers in numerical order.
  - Path Finder (Google / .docx / .pdf) — Students will use touch buttons to code the 123 Robot to drive a path on a 123 Tile. They will need to correctly sequence the Touch project to be successful.
  - Invention Time! (Google / .docx / .pdf) —This activity is very similar to Lab 2. Have students complete this activity in groups or in a Learning Center to practice what they have learned in Lab 2, and experiment with different attachments for the 123 Robot to clear the 123 Tile.
- For students that need more practice decomposing and sequencing, use the Make a Sequence Puzzle Choice Board activity with a group or the whole class.
Extending this Unit:
- Connect 123 Tiles to write longer words, or a series of words to create a simple sentence. Have students code the 123 Robot to drive to the letters of each word in sequence and read as they go!
- Use the Choice Board activities like Mixed up Name or Robot Map for more coding practice, or to extend the Unit in a way that allows students to express their voice and choice in what activities they want to complete.

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