Students write their first programs — sequences of commands that move a robot across a grid to a goal — learning that code is just clear instructions a computer runs in order.
Students will be able to…
How do you get a robot to go exactly where you want? You give it commands, one after another — and it runs them in order. That’s coding.
Project this and build a program with the arrow commands, then press Run. Have students predict the path first, then watch the robot follow it exactly.
Add arrows to program the robot, then press Run to reach the ⭐.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
If you could only say up/down/left/right, how would you guide a friend?
Teacher models a program.
Students use the tool.
Students create programs.
Students share a program.
Aligned to the ISTE Standards for Students and the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards.
Develop programs with sequences and simple loops to express ideas or address a problem.
Decompose the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions.
Understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps.
Describe steps in a procedure using sequence language.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students draw a grid maze with a start and goal, then write the program that solves it and trade with a partner. A printable grid-maze template is in the CS library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.