Start with a story, songs or poem about robots.

• Who can show us how a robot moves? Who can show us how to stand up like a robot?
  Walk like a robot? Sit down like a robot?
  

[Talk to the children about making short, stiff movements and practise with the children simple
movements with a single part of the body (e.g. turning your head, raising a hand) leading to
more complicated movements (e.g. sitting down, standing up.)]

• Why do we have robots? What are they used for? e.g. repetitive jobs, dangerous jobs,
  jobs where humans cannot reach
• How do they work? How do robots know what to do and when to do it?

Show the children how a floor robot can respond to instructions.

• What instructions do we need to give the robot? In what order? Let’s see what happens.
• How can we change the programme to make it do something different? e.g. move in a different direction,
  reach a different position

[Introduce the appropriate mathematical vocabulary for position, direction and movement. Explain that the children are going
to be like robots as they are going to programme each other to move around an obstacle course. Remind them that robots
only follow the instructions they are given so they must make sure the instructions are right!]

• What do robots look like? Ask the children to create robot costumes using the Playsuits.

[Set up an area for the children to work out their robot programmes. Have the children work in pairs on simple programming
tasks at first and then ask them to work on more complicated procedures where they have to negotiate obstacles. Encourage
them to record their instructions and to annotate the changes they make. The floor robot could be included as the robots’ pet.]

Meeting curriculum requirements:

The children will be developing understanding of concepts relating to position, direction and movement and will be using
a wide range of mathematical vocabulary. They will be learning to plan and give instructions to make things happen.
They will be introduced to using a floor robot. The programming activities will help them to appreciate the importance
of giving accurate instructions.

Tips for Painting:

Playsuits must be kept flat when they are being painted and not worn until they are dry.
Paint could be applied to large areas with a small sponge and/or brushes.
Try to keep one set of sponges and brushes for each colour.
Have different size brushes available and encourage the children to find out what marks each brush will make.
Encourage the children to paint boldly.
If things go wrong wipe out with a damp cloth.
Pieces of foil or shiny paper can be glued on to the Playsuit using water-based glue. However remember that the
children will be playing in these so any decoration added on needs to be robust!

Useful Reference:

Poems, songs, stories linked to robots. Non-fiction books with information about robots

What you will need:

Floor robot, Playsuits, paint, water jugs, paper towels, brushes, sponges, small trays or plates,
scissors, shiny paper, foil, water-based glue, paper and pencils

None