Robotics

⏱️ Two-Minute Read

Building Thinkers with LEGO WeDo:Third Graders Explore Coding and Engineering

In Mrs. Sheldon's third-grade classroom, students are stepping into the roles of engineers, programmers, and problem-solvers through hands-on experiences with LEGO WeDo. This engaging unit blends creativity with technology, giving students the opportunity to design, build, and program their own moving models.

Using LEGO WeDo kits, students work collaboratively to construct models that incorporate motors and sensors. Once their builds are complete, they use a simple, block-based coding platform to bring their creations to life. From spinning fans to moving animals, students quickly see the connection between the code they write and the actions their models perform.

Throughout the process, students are not just building—they are thinking critically. They test their designs, troubleshoot when something doesn’t work, and make improvements based on what they observe. This cycle of creating, testing, and refining mirrors real-world engineering practices and reinforces the importance of perseverance and problem-solving.

Technology plays a central role in this learning experience. Students are introduced to foundational computer science concepts such as sequencing, cause and effect, and debugging. They also begin to understand how hardware (motors and sensors) and software (their code) work together to create interactive systems.

Collaboration is another key component of the unit. Students work in teams to share ideas, divide responsibilities, and support one another through challenges. These experiences help build communication skills while fostering a sense of shared accomplishment.

Through LEGO WeDo, students are not only learning how to code—they are developing the mindset of creators and innovators. By combining hands-on building with meaningful technology integration, this unit helps lay a strong foundation for future learning in computer science and beyond.

Essential Technology Questions

How can we use code to control and interact with physical objects?
What strategies can we use to test, debug, and improve our programs?
How do hardware and software work together to solve problems?

Massachusetts DLCS Standards Connections (Grades 3–5)

Computing and Society (CS)

3-5.CS.1: Demonstrate responsible use of technology systems and collaborative tools.

Digital Tools and Collaboration (DT)

3-5.DT.1: Use digital tools to create, communicate, and collaborate effectively.

Computing Systems (CS)

3-5.CS.2: Describe how hardware and software work together as a system.

Computational Thinking (CT)

3-5.CT.1: Create programs using sequences, events, loops, and simple conditionals.
3-5.CT.2: Decompose problems into smaller steps to design solutions.
3-5.CT.3: Test and debug programs to ensure they run as intended.

School Event

Unmasking the Joy of Reading:Our School’s Masked Reader Event

This year, our school community came together to celebrate a month-long reading promotion in a way that was both creative and unforgettable—through our very own Masked Reader event!

Inspired by the excitement of The Masked Singer, teachers stepped into the spotlight… or rather, behind the mask. Each participating teacher dressed up in costume and recorded themselves reading aloud from one of their favorite books. The twist? Their identities were completely hidden, and it was up to students to listen carefully, analyze clues, and guess: Who is the Masked Reader?

Throughout the month, students eagerly watched each video, paying close attention to voice, reading style, and the carefully crafted clues. Guesses spread quickly through classrooms and hallways, sparking conversations not only about the mystery readers, but also about books, genres, and favorite stories.

Behind the scenes, I had the opportunity to support this event in my role as Digital Learning Specialist. I worked with teachers to record and produce their Masked Reader videos using our school’s technology tools. Together, we created engaging videos that maintained the mystery while highlighting each teacher’s enthusiasm for reading.

The experience culminated in an exciting all-school assembly, where the final masked readers were revealed. The energy in the room was incredible as students reacted to each unmasking—cheering, laughing, and celebrating together.

This event was more than just a fun activity—it was a powerful way to build a culture of reading across our school. Students saw their teachers as readers, role models, and participants in a shared challenge. It also demonstrated how technology can enhance engagement, storytelling, and community connection.

The Masked Reader event truly brought our school together. Laughter, curiosity, and a love of reading filled our classrooms, reminding us all that sometimes, a little mystery can make stories even more magical.

Technology Essential QuestionsHow can technology be used to create engaging and interactive learning experiences for a whole school community?
How does digital media (video, audio, and editing) influence how we communicate ideas and tell stories?
What role does technology play in enhancing student engagement and participation in literacy activities?

Digital Literacy

Sixth Graders on the Case!

Is that website telling the truth… or pulling a trick?

Our sixth graders recently stepped into the role of digital detectives during a lesson called Truth or Trick: Investigating Online Media. Armed with critical thinking skills and a healthy dose of skepticism, students set out to uncover whether online sources were credible—or cleverly disguised misinformation.

The Case File: Online Media

In today’s world, information travels fast. With just one click, students can access news articles, blogs, videos, and social media posts from around the globe. But not everything online is accurate, reliable, or created with good intentions.

During this lesson, students were presented with a variety of websites and online articles. Their mission?
Examine each one closely and determine:
Who created this content?
What is the purpose?
Is there evidence to support the claims?
Can the information be verified elsewhere?

Using a digital detective checklist, students analyzed author credentials, publication dates, domain names, bias, tone, and supporting evidence. They looked for red flags—sensational headlines, lack of sources, exaggerated claims—and searched for clues that signaled credibility.

Following the Digital Footprints

Like true investigators, students learned that credible sources often:
Clearly identify an author or organizationProvide evidence and cite reliable referencesPresent balanced informationAre current and updated

Meanwhile, questionable sources sometimes:
Use emotional or extreme language
Lack author information
Include suspicious links or ads
Provide no evidence to support big claims

Students quickly realized that being a responsible digital citizen means more than just consuming information—it means questioning it.

Building Smart, Skeptical Thinkers

This lesson wasn’t just about spotting fake websites. It was about empowering students to slow down, think critically, and avoid being misled. In a world filled with viral posts and persuasive media, the ability to investigate before believing is a powerful skill.

By the end of the lesson, our sixth-grade detectives confidently cracked the case—knowing that not everything online is what it seems.

Case closed… for now. 🕵️‍♀️💻

Technology Essential Questions
How can we determine whether an online source is credible or misleading?
What clues help us identify bias or purpose in digital media?
Why is it important to verify information before sharing or believing it?

Massachusetts DLCS Standards (Grades 6–8)

Digital Literacy and Citizenship
6-8.DL.1: Demonstrate appropriate and responsible use of digital tools and resources.
6-8.DL.2: Evaluate the credibility of information found online and explain why sources are or are not trustworthy.
6-8.DL.3: Analyze digital media for bias, purpose, and perspective.
6-8.DL.4: Use effective research strategies to locate reliable information online.