STEM Lesson Plan & Activities - SPHERO Year 5


Spheros
Year 5
Curriculum areas:
Digital Technology:
- Define problems in terms of data and functional requirements drawing on previously solved problems (ACTDIP017)
- Design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition)(ACTDIP019)
Music:
- Explore dynamics and expression, using aural skills to identify and perform rhythm and pitch patterns (ACAMUM088)
- Explain how the elements of music communicate meaning by comparing music from different social, cultural and historical contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music (ACAMUR091)
Dance:
- Explore movement and choreographic devices using the elements of dance to choreograph dances that communicate meaning (ACADAM009)
- Explain how the elements of dance and production elements communicate meaning by comparing dances from different social, cultural and historical contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance (ACADAR012)
Lesson 1:
- Look at properties of music which are determinant of music in dance
- Pitch, rhythm and beat
- Kids look for songs
- Decide on a code that would be used to describe the movement visually with colours
- Create examples of descriptors
Lesson 2:
- Formalise their code and make iMovie which shows the code only with no other visual in time to the music
- Share with another group. Only include the iMovie and descriptors of movement
- Other group needs to crack the code and determine which descriptors match which colours
- Peer assessment and feedback in relation to how well the dance relates to the song using online survey tool (e.g. Microsoft survey)
Lesson 3:
- Introduce the students to the Spheros with minimal instructions
- Groups given a chance to play with it
- Direct them to the Spheros community to let them see what others have done
Lesson 4:
- Make a pack of cards with simple direction on them
- Groups choose 8 of these cards at random and attempt to program their Spheros to follow those directions
- Video for seesaw
Lesson 5:
- Whole class is given the Macarena and students attempt to get their Spheros to move left and right to the basic beat
- Each group tries to add a new move and then shares with the class
Lesson 6:
- Each group is given a different genre of music (e.g. classical, indigenous, electronic, folk) to design a dance routine
- Share at the end
- Discuss a class the differences depending on the genre
Lesson 7:
- Children are given the same music
- Groups working independently of each other they need to come up with a dance routine using the agreed codes for the song
- They watch each other’s routine at the same time
- Examine differences and similarities
- Vote for their favourite
Lesson 8:
- Final Synchronised dancing presentation of the Spheros
- Film the final presentation from a low point and groups make a music video
Other concepts:
- Ten pin bowling
- Painting
- Maze making
- Disability studies
- Dot to dot
- Spheros racing
- Spheros chasey
- Spheros Sumo
- Spheros soccer
- Spheros driving test
- Mapping
- Write your name