Introduction

Recap the work on turning in the last two weeks. What sort of commands have we been giving? Check their understanding of other key terms like algorithm and debug.

 

What is Logo?

Open Purple Mash > Tools > Logo

 

 

What looks different in this program? (compared to other programming tools like 2Go)

 

 

Establish that there are no arrow or number controls. If there are no arrows and numbers, how do you think we make the robot move? If they spot the command box, discuss the basic commands available; fd, bk, lt, rt,.

Explain that these are the basics of a programming language called Logo. Just like humans, computers can understand a few different languages, Logo is a nice simple one to get started with that uses word and number commands instead of arrows etc.

Show how you can click on the commands to add it to the command line (the instruction box at the bottom) or you can just type them in, but either way you still need to press Enter on the keyboard to run the commands.

Add ‘fd’ and press Enter, why doesn’t anything happen?

 

 

 Establish we need a number as well, just like in 2go. Add another ‘fd’ and then a number (make sure there is a space between the command and the number).

 

 

How could we turn the robot? Lt and Rt will do this, but again we need to add a turn number. Establish that this is the number of degrees the robot will turn. Remind them that we can measure turning in degrees and that we have been doing quarter turns, they are 90 degree turns.

How could we draw a square? What would be the first command? Take their suggestions and demo, emphasising the need to type in Lt 90 for all the corners.

 

Main task

Give the children some time to experiment with Logo, ask them to try out some simple commands using Fd, Bk + a number, and Lt and Rt + 90. 

They can also investigate what the command home does. Commands for them to try are on the teacher presentation slides.

Clear their screen and have a go at drawing a simple letter shape like a T with their robot, they can choose the size of their lines.

 

 

Some children might be able to have go at writing other capital letters or simple shapes.

 

Plenary

If I type in these commands, one at a time, each time ask what would you expect to happen?

• fd 10
• fd 10 rt 90 fd 10
• rt 360
• home
• fd 10 lt 90 fd 10 bk 20

Recap the different control methods used over the last few weeks, which was easiest to use? Which was most difficult? What do they think of Logo? This is something they might revisit in our Y2 unit ‘Programming with Logo’ which goes into much more depth with the language of Logo.

All the methods they have used over these weeks have been programming computers and robots with directions. They have been creating algorithms and debugging their instructions when they didn’t work first time. Check their understanding of these key terms.