Number Line
View a larger version of the mat.
This colorful mat is a long strip of numbers from zero to ten, with the appropriate number of animals in each box. Students can move Bee-Bot forward and back along the number line to reach target numbers.
This mat is a perfect way to introduce Bee-Bot to your youngest students. They don’t need to turn the ‘bot, just move it in a straight line from number to number.
When they use Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot, be sure they understand that they should:
• Always press X before their turn to erase the commands from the previous student.
• Always let the ‘bot finish its instructions without touching it, unless it is going to fall off a table or run into an obstacle.
• Always press Go again to stop Bee-Bot when it is moving or just pick it up when it is going to fall off a table or run into an obstacle.
• Never push or turn the ‘bot when it is moving, as that could harm its motor.
The math concepts involved in using this mat include:
• counting
• matching
• simple addition and subtraction
Social skills include:
• taking turns
• working in a group
• helping others who may need support
Lesson Ideas
Although these ideas refer to Bee-Bot, they can all be done with Blue-Bot as well.
Remind students to press X to erase the commands the previous student entered.
Lesson Idea 1: Going to a Specific Number
- Divide students into groups.
- The teacher calls out a number.
- One of the students navigates Bee-Bot forward or backward to that number and counts the number of animals for that number out loud.
- The student places Bee-Bot back to zero.
- Repeat, with all students having a turn.
Lesson Idea 2: Going to a Random Number
- Each student in a group rolls dice or picks a playing card from a deck at random.
- The student then gives Bee-Bot commands to go to that number.
- The student places Bee-Bot back to zero.
- Students take turns navigating Bee-Bot to the number they picked.
- This idea is similar to the first one, but does not require teacher interaction.
- Students need to determine what to do if the number rolled is too high (twelve for the dice).
Lesson Idea 3: Counting to Reach a Target Number
In this lesson, students use counting to determine how many steps Bee-Bot should take to get to a target number.
- The teacher tells the first student in the group to go to one of the animals.
- The student counts the number of steps forward or backward to get there and instructs Bee-Bot to go that many steps.
- Without moving Bee-Bot, the next student navigates Bee-Bot to the box with the next animal the teacher names.
- Continue so that all students have had several turns.
For example, with Bee-Bot on the zero box:
- Student 1 goes to the turtles. Forward 7 steps, then Go.
- Student 2 goes to the sheep. Back 5, then Go.
- Student 3 goes to the bees. Forward 8 steps, then Go.
Lesson Idea 4: Using the Online Number Line Mat
If students are using computers in your classroom, have them use the online Number Line Mat in the Bee-Bot Emulator in a browser. They can use dice or playing cards to choose how far to move Bee-Bot.
Lesson Idea 5: Exploring Addition and Subtraction
- Two students choose a number from 0 to 10.
- The first student navigates Bee-Bot to their number.
- The second student navigates Bee-Bot to their number.
Ask students to consider the two numbers chosen.
If Bee-Bot goes in a straight line, the two numbers are added together. What is their sum?
If Bee-Bot goes forward and then back, the second number is subtracted from the first. What is the difference?
Mat Details
This mat is incorporated into several of the Bee-Bot Lessons. These lessons give teachers lesson plans that are tied to national curriculum standards. They give students an opportunity to engage in 200 learning activities using the floor Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot or the same activities in the online emulator.
The mat is made of washable vinyl and measures approximately 13” by 74” (30 cm by 165 cm)