Initiating the Excursion
This excursion relies on previous experience with understanding the basic concepts of navigating paths. These concepts were introduced in the three prior ladybug activities.
To introduce this excursion, make an overhead copy of the A Maze of Fun Activity Sheet. Place the first page of the A Maze of Fun Activity Sheet on the overhead and use a marker to indicate the starting point. Place another marker on the ending point. Ask the students to describe a simple path from the starting point to the ending point. As they orally describe their paths, the students should state movements using the following terms: move forward, move backward, turn right and turn left. Provide the class with a set number of
forward and/or backward movements that must be used when developing the solution. Be sure to have students tell you which angle to use when making the turns.
Next distribute the A Maze of Fun Activity Sheet to each student. Have them complete the path that was just described on the overhead. Use the overhead to give the directions again and have each student complete the
activity sheet as you are describing the path.
Now students will need the second page, Create a Maze, of the A Maze of Fun Activity Sheet. Explain that you are hiding a marker somewhere in the maze. They are to navigate the path, according to the directions you give, to find the hidden marker. Illustrate their directions on the overhead to see if they completed the correct path without crossing the walls. You may choose to do this a few times, changing the ending point each time. Students may use a different color crayon to mark the new path each time you try this, while continuing to use the same handout.
Developing the Excursion
Creating a plan to move the ladybug through a maze offers different challenges that are more difficult than those in the previous three activities. Students must develop a plan, which will turn the ladybug at the
appropriate corners and keep it on the path without crossing the walls. By creating these navigational plans, students apply strategies learned in the previous activities.
If this is the first time your students have used this applit, you should provide a brief overview of the four directional buttons used to navigate the ladybug at the interactive applet. It is important for students to understand how clicking each of the buttons affects the direction of the ladybug. Remember to include movements for left, right, forward and backward. (See directional
figures above).
move backward |
move forward |
45 degree
|
90 degree
|
To introduce the activity, place students in teams and have them open the Ladybug Mazes Applet.
Working together, partners share the responsibilities of "Mouse Driver" and "Reader/Recorder." The "Reader/Recorder" will read the directions from the activity sheet and record observations while guiding the activity. The "Mouse Driver" controls the action of the mouse and movement on the computer screen; partners should switch roles until all have moved the ladybug.
Once they have opened the applet, the partners should work together to navigate the maze and find as many solutions as possible. Encourage students to explore several mazes and modify their solutions. They can alter just one step in their plan or develop an entirely new set of directions each time a maze is explored. After students have had the opportunity to explore the mazes, lead a class-wide
discussion using the following questions.
Closing
Once the students have experimented with the ladybug maze, they will need the "Create A Maze" portion of the A Maze of Fun Activity Sheet. Ask students to create a maze, give it to a partner, and discuss with that partner why they think their maze is easy or challenging. Consider using the guiding questions found in the Questions for Students section below to encourage student reflection.
The closing should be structured so that students can review and pull together what they have learned. Include questions or tasks that encourage students to reflect on their work. In so doing, they will consolidate what they have learned. Furthermore, this will provide an opportunity for you and the students to assess what they have learned and what
they still want or need to understand. This will give you ideas for further instruction.
