Geometry: Location and direction

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   Teachers can teach direction to children by using the Bee-Bot.

     The Bee-Bot is a small bug looking electronic device which has four differing directional buttons; forward, back, left and right. The buttons allow the user to control the direction that the Bee-Bot moves and also the distance it moves in each direction. 

   

   The major focus of this activity is drawing on the geometrical aspects of direction. Therefore, it is essential for children to understand and know how to use the specific words.  

      The Bee-Bot activity.  

    First, children have to build their own city. Below is an example of a city that can be make in the classroom.

Picture of city that children can build.

    The Bee-Bot has the ability to do a full 360 degree movement, but it can only do it in motions of 90 degrees. Therefore, the shape of the city must cater the aspect of the Bee-Bot movement. 

    Upon completing the city, the required movements have to be recorded in order to program the Bee-Bot to accurately move through the city. The recorded movements are as follows: 

    

•     Forward x 2
•     Right x 1
•     Forward x 1
•     Right x 1
•     Forward x 1
•     Backward x 1
•     Right x 1
•     Forward x 1
•     Left x 1
•     Forward x 2

       

   These movements are programmed into the Bee-Bot and the final product of the activity can be viewed in the video below.

Bee-Bot activity.