Lesson Plan: Robot Wars

Before reading this lesson plan you might want to read the accompanying essay “Letting Go” which describes how the lesson evolved from an initial failed plan into this form. The description of this lesson on the plan below is more detailed than most as it describes in depth the entire procedure of the successful lesson.

Lesson Level: Senior Duration: 40 Minutes

Lesson Title: Robot Wars

Grammar and Vocabulary

Vocabulary of 3D shapes.

(Cube, cuboid, pyramid, sphere, cylinder, cone, wedge)

Vocabulary of types of locomotion.

(Wheels, legs, tracks)

Vocabulary of weapons – from the robots in the Robot Wars TV program.

Lesson Objectives

Students will learn vocabulary of 3D shapes.

Students will revise existing vocabulary of locomotion methods.

Students will incidentally be aware of weapons vocabulary.

Students will use discussion skills in a collaborative task to design a robot.

Students will answer questions about their designs relating to shape, locomotion, weapons, strengths and weaknesses.

Materials Required

None

Preparation

Before the lesson the board should be laid out as follows.

On the left of the board draw (but don't label) a cube, a cuboid, a pyramid, a sphere, a cylinder, a cone and a wedge. Leave space to label them later.

In a second column draw a wheel, some legs and a tank track. Once again leave space for labels but don't label. Complete the preparation with pictures of the weapons listed, again without labelling.

All of this should occupy no more than one third of the board.

Write the title “Robot Wars” in the top centre of the board.

Procedure

1

Greet the students as you would normally.

Read the title “Robot Wars”. Get class to repeat.

Elicit meaning of “Robot” and “Wars”

Explain that this is a TV program where groups build robots to battle each other.

2

Elicit, or give, the names of the shapes one at a time. Write the words next to the shapes on the board. Get students to repeat names of each shape.

Ask a student to choose a shape.

In the centre of the board, at the top write SHAPE:<whichever shape they chose>

At the bottom draw the shape.

3

Repeat the procedure for the locomotion method. In addition to asking which method, ask how many wheels etc.

Write Locomotion:<chosen method> and add to the drawing.

4

Repeat for two different weapons.

Choose different students for each

5.

You now have a picture of a robot. Ask the class to think of strengths (good weapons, fast, strong etc) and weaknesses (clumsy, slow etc). Add them to the list.

Ask the students for a name for your robot. Write the name below the picture.

6

Put students into groups of four to six. Write these instructions on the board.

Each group

Design a fighting robot.

Choose a) a shape, b) a type of locomotion, c) two weapons

Draw the robot

Write down some strengths and weaknesses for your robot.

Give your robot a name.

You have five minutes. (You can give them more time if it's available but you need to have at least fifteen minutes left at the end of this activity.)

7

As students work walk around and assist as necessary. One minute before the end of the task clear everything from the board except for the original vocab and pictures. Divide the board space into columns wide enough to allow a drawing.

8.

Select groups to come to the board and draw.

There probably won't be time for all groups to do this so you need to pick groups. I start by asking for volunteers and if there are not enough pick a couple of groups that had the best looking robots while I was monitoring.

Students from each group come and draw the robots. Just give them two minutes to do this.

They should also write the robots ' names.

9.

When they have returned to their seats ask questions of them and of the class. For each robot on the board you can select questions from

What shape is the robot?

How does it move?

What weapons does it have?

What are its strengths?

What are its weaknesses?

Drill the answers with the class.

10.

If there is time you can repeat for other groups.