two instruments. One plus one equals two.” Children are guid- ed to add and take away the correct amounts. In the Bop and Rock game mode, children follow directions to keep the lights a particular color. They are guided to “bop the instruments” that change color. Within the classroom, Rocktopus offers opportu- nities to encourage turn taking and group play, as well as inde- pendent play. There is a free app in the App Store and in Google Play that lets you create your own music video. Very simple and highly related to the toy, the app lets users pick a location (from three choices), pick type of music (rock, pop, etc.), add a selfie and brief message, then select three instruments, touch to play solos and record. Videos can be edited, saved or deleted. This makes for an easy, fun and personalized follow-up activity. As discussed, there will be another review here- Sphero Mini Robot- with graphic, review and video link. I expect to receive the toy during the week of Feb. 18 and will send the review to you, I expect, during the following week. I’ll get it done as fast as I can
Sphero Mini Robot (www.sphero.com/sphero-mini, www.sphero.com/education/)
This amazing app-enabled mini-robot is the size of a ping- pong ball, and, when controlled by your iPhone, iPad, or your Android devices, it has 7 different driving modes, 3 games, cod- ing activities and so much more. Available in a variety of colors, its colorful shell encases a small robotic device that includes a gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights. Although designed for ages 8 and older, the Sphero Mini Robot has many fun and educational applications for younger children as well. On the easiest level, players can move their Mini around us- ing 7 driving modes which are displayed on their device. With Joystick mode, they just touch the big circle on screen and drag it in any direction to move the mini around. In Slingshot mode, players pull back on the circle and release to drive (in any direc- tion in a straight line). In Tilt mode, they tilt the device in any direction to drive; in Kick mode, they flick the on-screen ball to kick--tap to trap it and curve to swerve it. In Golf mode, they use their device like a golf club and swing. Two additional modes are Face Drive and Scream Drive. In Face Drive, you hold the device up so your face is on screen- use a smile, a frown, a smile and tilt, or a wink to drive in the directions you choose. Smile goes forward, a frown backward, etc.) In Scream Drive, you touch and drag to steer and scream at different levels to accelerate and slow down. What a motivating way to reinforce facial expression,
Rocktopus: YouTube Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_okOQZvkung
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