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Session 14: Sphero Challenge 🤖

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 14 of 17

Students apply their Sphero skills to complete mission challenges, demonstrating growth in programming and problem-solving.

Session 14: Sphero Challenge

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Program Sphero to complete specific challenges

  • Problem-solve when programs don't work

  • Collaborate with teammates on missions

  • Demonstrate growth in coding skills

Session 14: Sphero Challenge

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Sphero robots (from CSCOE library)

  • 📱 Tablets with Sphero Edu app

  • 🚧 Course materials (cups, tape, markers)

  • 📋 Mission challenge cards

  • 📓 Design Detective journals

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Thomas Aquinas — He loved using logic and reason to solve problems. He'd enjoy programming challenges!

Scripture

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:13

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for minds that can solve problems. When things get hard, help us keep trying. Give us patience, creativity, and teamwork today. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Sphero Experts — "Remember when we first met Sphero? Now you're EXPERTS!"
  2. Challenge Day — "Today you'll complete MISSIONS!"
  3. Problem-Solving Reminder:
  4. If it doesn't work, try again!
  5. Ask: What can I change?
  6. Work with your team!
  7. Let's Go!

Main Activity: Mission Challenges (20 minutes)

Setup: Create course with tape lines and obstacles

Part 1: Quick Review (2 minutes)

  • Connect to Sphero

  • Review controls

  • Practice one movement

Part 2: Mission Challenges (16 minutes)

Mission 1: Target Practice (3 min)

  • Roll Sphero to stop inside a target circle

  • Points for accuracy!

  • Three tries each

Mission 2: Maze Navigator (4 min)

  • Navigate through simple tape maze

  • No wall touching!

  • Teamwork encouraged

Mission 3: Color Show (3 min)

  • Program color sequence:
  • Red, then blue, then green

  • Make it match the pattern!

  • Add movements between colors

Mission 4: Obstacle Course (4 min)

  • Navigate around cups without knocking them over

  • Speed matters, but so does accuracy!

  • Team record attempts

Mission 5: Creative Challenge (2 min)

  • Free programming time

  • Make Sphero do something COOL!

  • Share with class

Part 3: Celebration (2 minutes)

  • Celebrate achievements!

  • What did you figure out?

Design Detective Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw your favorite mission
  2. Write: "The hardest part was..."
  3. Write: "I solved it by..."
  4. Rate yourself: Beginner 🌱 Good 🌿 Expert 🌳

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Growth Reflection — "How have you improved since first trying Sphero?"
  2. Perseverance — "What did you do when it didn't work?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for helping us grow and learn. Thank you for patience when things are hard. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Completed at least 2 missions

  • Demonstrated improved skills from Session 3

  • Problem-solved when stuck

  • Collaborated with teammates

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Simplified mission versions

  • Extra teacher guidance

  • Partner with experienced peer

For Advanced Students

  • Advanced missions with multiple steps

  • Create missions for others

  • Use "Draw" or "Block" programming

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Tell your family about the Sphero challenges! What was hard? What did you figure out? Talk about times when things didn't work and you had to try again. Perseverance pays off!

Teacher Notes

  • Reserve Sphero 2 weeks ahead

  • Charge fully before class

  • This session shows growth from Session 3

  • Have backup missions ready

Previous: Session 13 — Easter Joy
Next: Session 15 — Simple Machines