FREDERIC OSADA AND TEDDY SEGUIN/DRASSM/STANFORD UNIVERSITY
This robot explores under the sea. It can go deeper underwater than humans can. It explores shipwrecks on the ocean floor.
This robot can go deep in the ocean. It can explore shipwrecks.
FREDERIC OSADA AND TEDDY SEGUIN/DRASSM/STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Robot Roundup
You’re going to read a story about a woman who makes robots. People make all kinds of robots! Here are some of them.
From the December 2020 / January 2021 Issue
Lexiles: 470L
Guided Reading Levels: K
DRA Level: 16-18
Vocabulary: explores, shipwrecks, earthquake, technology, gecko
Topic:
Science,
Common Core Standards
TEKS Standards
1) Robots can explore.
1) Robots can explore.
2) Robots can cook.
2) Robots can cook.
INGO WAGNER/DPA/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Robot chefs help in kitchens. They save people time! They put sauce and toppings on pizzas. Then they place the pizzas into an oven.
But humans have the best job. They eat the pizzas!
Robots can help in kitchens. They can save time! They can make pizza.
Humans eat the pizzas!
3) Robots can save lives.
3) Robots can save lives.
CHUNG SUNG-JUN/GETTY IMAGES
This may look like a Transformer, but it’s a real robot. A human driver sits inside it and tells it where to go.
One day, people could use this robot after an earthquake. The robot could walk over buildings that fell down. It could find people who need help. That is some lifesaving technology!
This real robot looks like a toy. A human sits inside and drives it.
One day, this robot could be used after an earthquake. It could find people who need help.
4) Robots can climb.
4) Robots can climb.
MARK CUTKOSKY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY (ROBOT CLIMBING); WALTER ROHDICH/FLPA/MINDEN PICTURES (GECKO)
What is that climbing up the window? It is a robot that climbs like a gecko.
People have also made robots that fly like a bee. They copy animals to make robots that can go anywhere.
A Stickybot is a robot that climbs like a gecko.
People have copied other animals to make robots. They made robots that fly like a bee and swim like a fish.
5) Robots can be friends.
5) Robots can be friends.
LARRY FRENCH/GETTY IMAGES FOR SONY (ROBOT DOG); PAVEL HLYSTOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (BALL)
Aibo (EYE-boh) is a playful robot that acts like a real puppy. It can do tricks. Would you want a robot pup?
On the next page, you’ll read about a woman who made robots to be friends. But she didn’t make a puppy! Turn the page to find out more.
This robot can act like a real puppy. It can do tricks. Would you want a robot dog?
On the next page, you’ll read about a woman who made robots to be friends. But she didn’t make a puppy!
Activities
(5)
Skills Activities
About the Article
Next Generation Science Standards Focus
ETS1.A Defining and delimiting engineering problems
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
The big question of this issue of Storyworks 2 is: Does technology make our lives better?
- Reading and discussing “Robot Roundup” along with the other technology-themed texts in the magazine (the Big Read, “Can a Robot Be a Friend?,” the mini graphic novel, “In the Zone,” and the fiction, “A Clean Start”) should give kids insight into ways technology can be helpful and ways it can be a hindrance or a distraction.
- Through the above genres, students will discuss: Does technology make our lives better? How can it be helpful? How can it cause harm? How do I use technology in my own life?
- NOTE: This article gives kids background knowledge that will help them better understand this issue’s Big Read story, “Can a Robot Be a Friend?” on page 6.
1. BEFORE READING
Activate Schema (3 minutes)
- Ask children if they know what a robot is. Listen to their answers. If they know what it is, ask if they have seen or interacted with one in person. They can share their knowledge with the class.
Activate Schema (3 minutes)
Preview Vocabulary (5-10 minutes)
- Play the online vocabulary slideshow. This article’s featured words are explores, shipwrecks, earthquake, technology, and gecko.
2. READ THE ARTICLE (10 MINUTES)
- This article works well with the whole class. You can call on different students to read each box aloud. The numbers make the text easy to navigate.
- As you read, stop to analyze the photos. What is the robot doing on the bottom of page 4? (Making a pizza.) Ask, “Would you want to eat that pizza? Do you think it would be as good as pizza a person made?”
3. AFTER READING
Notice Nosey! (3 minutes)
- Point out our doggy character, Nosey, on page 4. Ask someone to read her voice bubble.
- Explain that Nosey pops up throughout Storyworks 2. Not only does her nose sniff out facts, but she’s also just nosy. She’s curious and wants to know about everything.
ELA Focus: Key Details (20 minutes)
- It’s time to help Nosey fill out her fact file! Nosey’s Fact File is in the Resources section of our website.
- The fact boxes are scaffolded to help kids know what to write. Kids can share their facts with a partner, the other students at their table, or the class.
ELA Focus: Comprehension (5-10 minutes)
- Assess students’ comprehension of the article, with this quiz.
Enrich the Learning: Paired Text
- After reading the article, students will have background knowledge for “Can a Robot Be a Friend?” on page 6.
- Kids can compare the article and story with the Two Different Texts printable.
- This article and the Big Read, “Can a Robot Be a Friend?,” also pair with our mini graphic novel, “In the Zone,” on page 13 and our fiction story, “A Clean Start” on page 24.
Text-to-Speech