TEACHER CONTROLS · AGES 5–7
One idea: directions tell Pip which way to move.
Standalone lesson, ages 5–7. Meet Pip, read each mission aloud, point to START and the goal, then predict and run arrows. Repeat “Which direction?” and invite children to point and say Up, Down, Left or Right before predicting the next square. Arrows are absolute directions on the screen: UP toward the top, DOWN toward the bottom. Pip keeps facing the children. There are no turn instructions.
Five maps: two right steps; two up steps; combine right/up; combine left/down; route around two hedges. Do not reveal the pictured route before the children test. Several combined routes work; the program is judged by its actual final square, not a stored answer. At a hedge or map edge Pip stays in place. Explain that error once, stop the attempt and let children change an arrow. Arriving early then walking away does not finish at the goal.
Allow 8 minutes greeting and daily directions, 25 minutes exploring, 17 minutes paper-map testing and 10 minutes sharing and inventing a new route. Use precut arrow cards and a paper Pip. Children point or speak; English reading is not required. Support with one arrow already placed; extend by finding another working route. No loops, rotation or conditions are introduced.
Click an existing program card, then an arrow to replace it. Undo removes the last arrow. Stop cancels playback and audio. Every run starts cleanly. Teacher controls progression; Slower pace extends the observation time. Open the paper route kit ↗.
