Kinderbots Bring Coding to After School Program at SFLS
Thanks to a generous parent donation through Thrivent, Sioux Falls Lutheran School has four new Code n’ Learn KinderbotsTM for our students to enjoy. The toys, which will be incorporated into Wired Wednesday activities during our after school A-OK program, use exciting coding challenges to teach children early math concepts, shapes, colors, letters, how to follow directions, reasoning and problem solving skills, and more.
The robots have three different programming modes: free coding, where students give the robot a series of commands that follow basic cardinal directions; challenge mode, where the robot tells the user what to program and does cool stuff when students follow directions correctly; and “Secret Code Mode,” where kids enter pre-programmed codes to unlock fun sound effects, accessories, and characters.
The product’s tagline, “inspiring little learners to be big thinkers,” falls right in line with our school’s philosophy of creating lifelong learners by transforming natural childhood curiosity into a passion for learning, thinking critically and working collaboratively within the classroom, and exercising problem-solving and decision-making skills when challenges arise.
A-OK Director, Janelle Lafrentz, shared the following ways in which she has already observed our students using a variety of those life skills while playing with the Kinderbots:
Critical Thinking
Students must have a specific plan in mind when playing with their robot. In the K-8 group, I allow them to guide themselves through different challenges that they enjoy. In preschool, we decide as a group what mode to play on and each person sticks to that mode. It can be challenging for the preschoolers to program the proper direction or color, so we are finding fun ways to foster knowledge of colors and directions as we use the toys.
Collaboration
Students work with small groups and take turns programming the robots. Sometimes they have the freedom to come up with a plan with a partner or small group before programming begins. During small group time, taking turns is a big social emotional learning tool. We are becoming more aware of the feelings of others while also having fun.
Problem Solving
Now that we know how to use the robots, I sometimes give the students specific challenges while we play. For example, “Make your robot touch my foot, and then back up to touch ____’s foot.” These challenges encourage students to use high-level thinking by breaking the directions down step-by-step in order to achieve a successful outcome. They really have to evaluate distance by sight and cardinal directions, and they experience many failures before their successes. Failure is the best teacher! My mantra for the students is, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”
If your child attends A-OK care after school on Wednesdays, be sure to ask them about their Kinderbot experience!
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
At Sioux Falls Lutheran School, our mission is to develop capable, Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, we are committed to partnering with parents and the church to raise lifelong learners who use their gifts and the fruits of the Spirit, in faith, to touch a troubled world with God’s grace.