Next students programmed the Bee-Bot to move to a certain location on a double-sided "Challenge Mat."
Here are some of the ways students used the mats.
1) Partners pick a number on the mat, then try to find more than one path to get the Bee-Bot from "start" to the target number. The great thing about this challenge is that there are several right answers. Students have to think about multiple paths around the mat and are not satisfied with only the simplest or most obvious option. Students are asked: Can you program another way to get to the same number? Can you create an algorithm that doesn't go through 0?
2) Students receive cards aligned to grade-level Common Core math standards. As partners they solve the problem or answer the question and then program the Bee-Bot to go to the number on the mat showing the answer. For example, Area A and P7A solved problems of addition and subtraction within 10.
3) Area B took the last challenge a step further. The whole class received the same problem of addition or subtraction within 20, and the teams raced to solve the math problem, plan out the algorithm, and program the Bee-Bot to move to the correct answer. Speed, accuracy, critical thinking, and teamwork all played a role in a team's success.
This was just one type of Challenge Mat. In future units students will program Bee-Bots on a variety of mats to explore other grade-level math and literacy concepts.
