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The Interview with a Robot

45 Minutes

Lesson Overview

This is the fourth of five lessons that focus on literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional learning in the context of THRIVING in challenging circumstances.

In this lesson, students will write questions for Marty to ask based on building positive mental and social wellbeing and relationships. Students will develop tools for listening and talking in addition to creating clear and relevant text. Students will then use MartyBlocks to code Marty to interview them.

Key vocabulary:
    Programming, Block coding, Sprite, Stage, Sensing, Interview, Strengths, Feelings,

Content Sections

  • Learning Objectives
    1. Extensions & Challenges
      1. Additional Reading
      2. The Interview with a Robot

        45 Minutes

        Lesson Overview

        This is the fourth of five lessons that focus on literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional learning in the context of THRIVING in challenging circumstances.

        In this lesson, students will write questions for Marty to ask based on building positive mental and social wellbeing and relationships. Students will develop tools for listening and talking in addition to creating clear and relevant text. Students will then use MartyBlocks to code Marty to interview them.

        Key vocabulary:
          Programming, Block coding, Sprite, Stage, Sensing, Interview, Strengths, Feelings,
        • Experience of a variety of MartyBlocks code: movement and looks
        • Tablet
        • Literacy and Health and Wellbeing across learning
          • Scotland Learns
          • How to get started with Marty Blocks
          • Educator FAQ
          • Marty the Robot V2 - Educators Guide

        Learning Objectives

        • Students create clear and relevant questions based on building positive mental and social wellbeing and relationships.
        • Learn how to make a MartyBlocks sprite ask questions on-screen.
        • Use blocks of code to make Marty ask questions, wait for answers and move as wanted for the interview.
        • Students reflect on their answers to the interview.
        • Explain to students that they are going to code Marty to interview them and introduce the context of positive mental and social wellbeing and relationships. Get students to think and share possible questions for Marty. Work will be completed in MartyBlocks.
        • Students need access to MartyBlocks to follow steps in the Workbook to make a Marty sprite appear on the screen, then code Marty to get ready to start the interview. Students will learn the difference between actions that Marty the Robot makes and actions that the on-screen Marty sprite makes.
        • Students should add questions of their choice into the code then check their routine for bugs.
        • Interview time! After being interviewed by Marty, students can reflect on their talk with Marty.

        Extensions & Support

        • Students could explore jobs and careers where people help other other people and share their findings
        • Student could compile their questions and some responses into an illustrated display to share with the wider school community
        • Students who are soon to progress to secondary education could include questions to help them prepare for this next stage in their life and learning.

        Additional Reading

        • Scotland Learns
        • How to get started with MartyBlocks
        • Educator FAQ
        • Marty the Robot V2 - Educators Guide

        • Technologies: Computing Science
        • Literacy & English: Listening and Talking
        • Health and Wellbeing: Mental, Emotional, Social and Physical Wellbeing
        • Literacy & English: Writing
        • CSTA Education Standards
        • Elementary Technology Applications: Grade 3 to Grade 5
        • Digital Technologies, Design & technologies: Digital Technologies
        • Computing, Design and Technology: Computing
        • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)