Indi, the race car robot and Sphero Bolt + are two amazing programmable robots for educational use. They are so fun and engaging to play with AND to learn with. Sphero provides many lessons and ideas for learning computer science and incorporating grade level content learning through these robots.
I borrowed one of each to try with my class and both of these robots have a lot of ways they can be used for learning basic to advanced computer science AND our second grade content. Second grade would like to share a set of each type of robot because we feel that our students start the year as little ones and end the year ready to do a lot more, just like the big kids. Indi is geared for TK-2 and Bolt is for 3rd grade and up, but we find both robots appropriate for second grade. There is a natural progression from Indi to Bolt+ and even after a few weeks I can see that both robots will be loves and helpful.
More about Indi:
BUILT FOR EARLY LEARNERS: indi is intuitive, durable, and rechargeable. Built to withstand busy classrooms and excited hands, indi provides flexibility to grow alongside students' skills.
More about BOLT +:
Our team is excited to use the robots in our teaching. Our plan is to collaborate around the robotics lessons, sharing everything so that all second grade students benefit from the same experiences. When we work together in this way, we learn so much from each other, and we always find ways to improve our instruction.
We have many projects in mind for the robots to be used and integrated throughout the year, such as content parades, where students make mini floats of their work and program the robots to parade their presentations through the class, using the robots to teach their TK buddies lessons about coding and sequencing, These robots will not be something that just sits on the shelf until National Coding Day. We also plan to use them weekly for a more engaging way to practice Reading and Math skills. Beyond standard skills practice and coding, these robots come with many higher level thinking challenges and puzzles. These will be great for all students because they are differentiated for different levels of difficulty. The students are already loving the challenges we have tried with the robots I borrowed.
We are hoping for 8 Indi robots and 15 Bolt+ robots.
Yes, this is for shared robots for all second grade at KBE.
We can use classroom funds for any additional costs to maintain, repair, or even replace the robots, though that is not an anticipated need. We may end up using classroom funds to buy small add ons.
We would also be happy with fewer robots if the funding needs to be adjusted, the indi robots are about $150 each and the Bolt+ are around $200. We can adjust our lessons to use fewer robots, but these class packs are the best deal and we feel like it is a good number for three classes to share.