The Pirate Parcel

NEWSLETTER
November 16, 2015

Robots in the
classroom
A horse of every color.
The past week, the 8th graders have been programming finch robots . These little
robots can be used to teach a variety of subjects. Here is a list of what the students
accomplished in their classes using the finch robots.
Music- Standard 4: Music Appreciation: Creating The student understands
and uses musical tools, including active listening to create and evaluate original
works.
4. Recognize basic features of familiar and unfamiliar songs.
The students got together into groups and programmed a song into their
robots and the other groups had to try and recognize the song.
Social Studies- Content Standard 2: The student will examine the
foundations of the American nation laid during the Revolutionary Era through the
contributions of significant individuals and groups involved in the key military and
diplomatic events of the Revolutionary War that resulted the an independent nation.
3. Cite specific textual and visual evidence to summarize the impact of key
military and diplomatic events including the A. Military leadership of General George
Washington, B. Victories at Boston, Trenton, and Saratoga, C. French Alliance, D.
Publication of Thomas Paines The Crisis, E. Valley Forge Encampment, and F. Defeat
of Lord Cornwalliss army at the Siege of Yorktown
The students created an obstacle course and re-enacted the Battle of
Yorktown using their finch robots.

Science- Process Standard 1: Observe and Measure - Observing is the first

action taken by the learner to acquire new information about an object, organism, or
event. Opportunities for observation are developed through the use of a variety of
scientific tools. Measurement allows observations to be quantified. The student will
accomplish these objectives to meet this process standard.
1. Identify qualitative and/or quantitative changes given conditions (e.g.,
temperature, mass, volume, time, position, length) before, during, and after an
event.
The students used the sensory portion of the robots to record the room
conditions as seen by the finch robots, and tried different things to change those
conditions.
Geometry- Standard 3: Geometry - The student will use geometric properties
to solve problems in a variety of contexts.
1. Construct models, sketch (from different perspectives), and classify solid
figures such as rectangular solids, prisms, cones, cylinders, pyramids, and combined
forms.
The students created different geometric shapes and used those to create an
obstacle course for the robots to navigate around.
English- Oral Language/Listening and Speaking: The student will
demonstrate thinking skills in listening and speaking.
Standard 2: Speaking - The student will express ideas and opinions in group
or individual situations.
2. Compose a presentation with a well-organized introduction, body, and
conclusion that is appropriate for different purposes, audiences, and occasions.
The students gave a presentation on what they learned by interacting with
the finch robots.