The big ideaA robot does only the steps it is given. Clear steps help it.
How it works
A robot does only the steps it is given, no more and no less.
A robot cannot guess, so it needs clear steps.
A bug is a mix-up in the steps. We fix the steps and try again.
Clear, and not clear.
Example 1: Not clear
Grandpa says, go over there.
Nia does not move, because over where?
A robot cannot guess, so it needs a clear step.
Example 2: Clear steps
Take two steps forward. Turn around. Take three steps.
Each step is clear, so Nia can do it.
Example 3: Steps on a board
Nia tells Bo: forward three times, turn left, forward twice.
Bo walks the dotted way and lands on the star.
A step that walks Bo into a rock would be a bug.
Bo walks the dotted way to the star.
Example 4: Fix the steps
Nia takes one more step and bumps a flowerpot.
That is a bug, not a bad robot.
Grandpa fixes the steps to turn first, then step.
Words to know
robot
A machine that does only the steps it is given.
step
One thing to do.
clear
So easy to do that a robot knows what to do.
bug
A mix-up in the steps.
programmer
The one who says the steps.
Watch out
A robot cannot guess what over there means.
A bump is a bug, and a bug is nobody's fault.
Say one clear step at a time.
After a fix, try the steps again.
Try it
Is go over there a clear step?
Is take two steps forward a clear step?
Nia bumps a flowerpot. What is that?
What do we do about a bug?
Answers: 1. No · 2. Yes · 3. A bug · 4. Change the steps and try again
Try at homeWith a grown-up, hide a toy and play robot. One of you says the steps, like step forward, step forward, turn. The other is the robot and does only those steps. If the robot bumps, that is a bug: fix the steps and try again. Then swap!
For grown-upsHide a toy and play robot: one of you says the steps, like step forward, step forward, turn, and the other does only those steps. If the robot bumps, say 'that is a bug' and fix the steps together. Then swap.
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