Bee-Bot Directions
Year 2 use Bee-Bots to learn about directions, routes and simple programming commands.
# Bee-Bot Directions
A Bee-Bot is a friendly robot that helps children learn about directions and programming. You give it instructions using buttons, and it moves exactly where you tell it. Bee-Bots are a fun first step into real coding.
Direction Words
Bee-Bots use four main commands, forward, backward, left turn and right turn. Notice that left and right are turns, not slides. The robot turns on the spot, then moves forward or backward. Learning this difference is a key skill.
Making a Route
Lay out a grid on the floor with tape or use a mat. Place a toy at one square and a target at another. Now write the sequence of commands to get the Bee-Bot from the toy to the target. Test it and see if your route works.
When It Goes Wrong
If the Bee-Bot misses the target, do not worry. This is called a bug. Count the squares again and check your left and right turns. Change one command at a time, then test again. Real programmers do this every day.
Extending the Challenge
Make the route longer or add obstacles. Try to reach the target using the fewest commands. You can even record your route on paper using arrows, which is your first go at writing a program down.
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