The Alphabet: Alpha-Byte Zoo (Gr. K-1)

Description

In this lesson, students will program Dash the Zookeeper to take visitors through the ABC Animal Zoo in alphabetical order. (Note: Since this lesson is aimed at very young students whose attention spans are short, it’s recommended that you complete this project over a series of days, as indicated below).

Objectives

  • Sequence the letters of the alphabet
  • Recognize the initial letter and letter sound in various zoo animals’ names
  • Sequence a set of instructions for Dash to follow
  • Design a zoo trail for Dash
  • Design zoo animals
  • Program Dash to Move Forward
  • Record and program Dash to say a letter and to name an animal that begins with that letter

Lesson Procedure

  • Class 1: Planning a Trail (30 minutes)
  • Class 2: Creating the Trail (30 minutes)
  • Class 3: Creating the Animals (30 minutes)
  • Class 4: Programming Dash (30 minutes)

Curriculum Connections Summary

  • Ontario - Mathematics - Algebra (Coding) & Language
  • Quebec - Language
  • New Brunswick - Language
  • Nova Scotia - ICT
  • Alberta - Language & ICT
  • British Columbia - Language & ADST
  • Manitoba - Language
  • Prince Edward Island - Language
  • Saskatchewan - Language
  • Newfoundland & Labrador - Language
  • Yukon Territories - Follow's B.C.'s Curriculum
  • Northwest Territories - Follows Alberta's Curriculum
  • Nunavut - Follows Alberta's Curriculum


 

Robots and Accessories

Dash

Other Supplies

  • Alphabet Zoo Trail Planner (1 per group)
  • Recycled materials and craft supplies for making zoo animals (e.g., feathers, cotton balls, pipe cleaners)
  • Scissors (1 per student)
  • Pencils (1 per student)
  • Tape (1 roll per group)
  • Glue sticks (1 per group)
  • [Optional] dry erase boards (1 per student, with eraser and marker)
  • Colored markers or crayons (1 box per group)
  • Projector or interactive display with mirroring capability
  • Index cards, 5x8” (30)
  • Large sheets of bulletin board paper (1 per group, plus 1 for modeling)
  • Tablets - See Tablet Compatibility

Find Out More


Dash & Dot
Dash & Dot

Open their eyes to how the world works, coding ideas into adventures.