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🤖 Weeks 2-3: Sphero Coding Adventures

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 2 sessions × 30 minutes
Lesson Type Multi-Week Unit
STREAM Focus T (Technology), M (Math), R (Religion)

Weeks 2-3: Sphero Coding Adventures

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Use Sphero Edu app to code basic movements (forward, back, turn) 2. Create a simple sequence of at least 3 commands 3. Use a loop to repeat actions 4. Debug programs that don't work as expected

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Understand that robots follow instructions from humans 2. Connect purposeful programming to using our gifts wisely 3. Practice patience and perseverance in coding

Weeks 2-3: Sphero Coding Adventures

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Stewardship of Gifts — God gave humans the ability to create technology. When we learn to code, we're using the gifts God gave us — our logic, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. We use technology responsibly and for good purposes.

Scripture Connection

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." — Colossians 3:23

Wonder Question

"Have you ever wondered how people program robots to do helpful things — like delivering packages or helping in hospitals?"

📚 Materials and Preparation

Materials Needed

Item Quantity Source
Sphero robots (SPRK+, Bolt, or Mini) 1 per 2-3 students School inventory
iPads with Sphero Edu app 1 per group School inventory
Masking tape for paths 1 roll Classroom
Challenge cards 1 set Teacher-made
Coding journal pages 1 per student Teacher-made

Teacher Preparation

  • Charge Spheros overnight

  • Test Sphero-iPad connections

  • Create challenge cards (increasing difficulty)

  • Set up coding space with clear floor area

  • Create tape maze for Week 3 challenge

📝 Week 2 Procedure: Introduction to Coding

⏱️ Timing Guide (30 minutes)

Section Time Activity
Opening Prayer & Review 3 min Prayer and introduction
What is Coding? 5 min Unplugged introduction
App Demonstration 7 min Show Sphero Edu
Coding Practice 12 min Hands-on coding
Closing 3 min Reflection

1. Opening Prayer (3 minutes)

Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for giving us creative minds that can solve problems. Help us to be patient as we learn something new today. Amen."

2. What is Coding? (5 minutes)

Unplugged activity:

"Before we use the robots, let's understand what coding is."

Have one student be the "robot":

  • Give specific commands: "Take 3 steps forward. Turn right. Take 2 steps forward."

  • The "robot" must follow EXACTLY

  • Point out: The robot only does what you tell it!

Key concept:

"A program is a list of instructions. The computer or robot does exactly what you tell it — nothing more, nothing less. That's why we have to be very specific!"

3. App Demonstration (7 minutes)

Show Sphero Edu on projector:

Block Mode basics: 1. Roll block — makes Sphero move 2. Delay — makes Sphero wait 3. Turn — changes direction 4. Loop — repeats commands

Create a simple program together: 1. Roll forward 1 second 2. Wait 1 second 3. Roll backward 1 second

"Watch what happens!" (Run program)

Debugging:

"What if it doesn't do what you expected? That's called a BUG. We DEBUG by finding and fixing the problem."

4. Coding Practice (12 minutes)

Distribute Spheros and iPads (groups of 2-3).

Challenge 1: Make Sphero move forward and stop Challenge 2: Make Sphero move forward, then backward Challenge 3: Make Sphero move in a square pattern

Teacher circulates:

  • "What are you trying to make it do?"

  • "Is it doing what you expected?"

  • "What could you change?"

Encourage collaboration:

"Work together! One person can code while others observe and suggest."

5. Closing (3 minutes)

Discussion:

  • "What was easy about coding?"

  • "What was challenging?"

  • "How did you fix problems?"

Journal entry: Draw your favorite thing Sphero did today.

Closing Prayer:

"Thank you, God, for helping us learn to code. Help us to be patient and to keep trying. Amen."

📝 Week 3 Procedure: Coding Challenge

⏱️ Timing Guide (30 minutes)

Section Time Activity
Opening Prayer & Review 3 min Review commands
Loop Introduction 5 min Teach loops
Challenge Course 17 min Complete challenges
Sharing & Closing 5 min Demonstrate and reflect

1. Opening Prayer & Review (3 minutes)

Prayer:

"Dear God, help us to work together and solve problems today. When we make mistakes, help us to learn from them. Amen."

Quick review:

"What commands did we learn last week?"

2. Loop Introduction (5 minutes)

Show the loop block:

"A LOOP makes something happen over and over. Instead of writing the same code 4 times, we can use a loop!"

Example: Without loop: Roll forward, turn right, roll forward, turn right, roll forward, turn right, roll forward, turn right (makes a square)

With loop: LOOP 4 times: Roll forward, turn right

"See how much easier that is?"

3. Challenge Course (17 minutes)

Set up the room with tape paths/challenges.

Progressive challenges:

Challenge Task Skills
1 Travel from A to B (straight line) Basic roll
2 Navigate around a cone Roll + turn
3 Make a square Turns + loops
4 Navigate a simple maze Problem solving

Groups rotate through challenges or work at their own pace.

Encourage debugging:

  • "It didn't work? Great! What will you try differently?"

  • "How many times do you need to repeat that?"

4. Sharing & Closing (5 minutes)

Demonstrations:

"Who wants to show us their solution to a challenge?"

Let 2-3 groups demonstrate.

Discussion:

  • "What strategy helped you succeed?"

  • "How did loops make coding easier?"

Faith Connection:

"When we code, we're using the logical minds God gave us. God made us to be problem solvers! These same skills help us solve problems in real life too."

Closing Prayer:

"Thank you, God, for helping us think logically and solve problems. Help us to use technology to do good things. Amen."

✅ Assessment

Coding Skills Checklist

Skill Week 2 Week 3
Can make Sphero move ☐ ☐
Can make Sphero turn ☐ ☐
Creates multi-step sequences ☐ ☐
Uses loops — ☐
Debugs programs ☐ ☐
Works cooperatively ☐ ☐

🔄 Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-made code to modify

  • Partner with tech-confident student

  • Simpler challenges (straight lines only)

  • Hand-over-hand guidance

For Advanced Learners

  • Add sounds and lights to program

  • Create a dance routine

  • Design their own challenge for others

  • Use variables (speed changes)

📎 Home Connection

Family Note:

"We're learning to code with Sphero robots! Your child is learning to create programs using block-based coding. Key vocabulary: SEQUENCE (order of commands), LOOP (repeat), DEBUG (find and fix errors). At home, play 'Robot' — give exact directions to walk somewhere. If your 'robot' hits something, debug your directions!"

Lesson Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025-12-05