Minds On

Origami frog

What would you think if someone said, “Go make a frog from a piece of paper”?

Would you be able to do it?

What might you need to know to make the frog out of paper?

Brainstorm a list of questions. Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Press ‘Questions’ to reveal the possible questions you could ask.

Your question might be:

  • What materials do I need?
  • Can you show me?
  • What do I need to do first?
  • What do I need to do next?

Action

Frog algorithm

An algorithm is a set of directions.

You can use algorithms to describe a path on a map, or how to make a sandwich, or how to wash your hands.

Directions can help us move from one step to another.

We can use directions to help us do a task, like make a paper frog!

Your turn

Let’s try it! Explore the following video "Folded Paper, Hopping Frogs." This video explains the steps for how to make a paper frog.

Can you follow the instructions?

How did your frog turn out?

What worked?

What didn’t work?

What did you do if you didn’t understand a step?

Consolidation

Following directions

A dog needs to get back to its doghouse! You have 4 sets of directions to help the dog get home.

Examine the following map and directions.

Test out each set of directions. What do you notice?

There are four different sets of directions to help the dog get to their home. The map has 5 rows of 5 squares. The dog's position is third row, and first square from the right.

Directions set 1: Start at the dog's position, then move 4 squares to the right, and two squares down.

Directions set 2: Start at the dog's position, then move 2 squares down, and 4 squares to the right.

Directions set 3: Start at the dog's position, then move 1 square upwards, 4 squares o the right, and two squares down.

Directions set 4: Start at the dog's position, then move 1 square right, 2 squares down, and 3 squares to the right.

There are 4 sets of directions to follow.

The first set of directions is right, right, right, right, down, down.

The second set of directions is down, down, right, right, right, right.

The third set of directions is up, right, right, right, right, down, down.

The fourth set of directions is right, down, down, right, right, right.

One set of directions didn’t work!

How can you change the directions so that the dog can get to the doghouse?

Press ‘Answer’ to reveal the new directions.

Up, right, right, right, right, down, down, down

Can you use arrows to create a different path for the dog to get to the doghouse?

Try it yourself on the following fillable and printable Dog Maze document. You can also draw the maze on paper or use another method of your choice.

Dog Maze

Press the Activity button to access Dog Maze.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Make a set of directions to help the dog get home. You can use up, down, left, or right directions.

Questions

Record what you learned about algorithms (sets of directions) digitally, orally, or in print.

How do they help us?

How do we make them?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.