We started off by talking about algorithms. Together we wrote a "get ready for school algorithm". It looked something like this:
We talked about how you can switch some statements and the morning routine would still work. For example, you can brush your before you get dressed (take off your PJs). But sometimes you can't change the order of the statements. For example, it wouldn't make any sense to wake up after you brush your teeth.
Then the kids broke up into small groups and I gave them a sheet of paper with 9 randomized steps on how to build a paper airplane. They had to decide which 3 steps were not necessary. And then they put the other 6 steps in the right order. In order to test their Paper Plane Algorithm, they built the paper airplane using their own instructions. After testing it, they gave the instructions to another team to see if they could follow the instructions and build an airplane.
- Wake up in the morning
- Get clothes together
- Take off PJs
- Put on clothes
- Brush Teeth
We talked about how you can switch some statements and the morning routine would still work. For example, you can brush your before you get dressed (take off your PJs). But sometimes you can't change the order of the statements. For example, it wouldn't make any sense to wake up after you brush your teeth.
Then the kids broke up into small groups and I gave them a sheet of paper with 9 randomized steps on how to build a paper airplane. They had to decide which 3 steps were not necessary. And then they put the other 6 steps in the right order. In order to test their Paper Plane Algorithm, they built the paper airplane using their own instructions. After testing it, they gave the instructions to another team to see if they could follow the instructions and build an airplane.