Grid Navigator: Cracking the 4x4 Code

This lesson begins with a fun game of 'Simon Says' to practice following instructions. You'll then explore a 4x4 grid on an interactive whiteboard, learning how to navigate a character using up and down arrows. You'll play different versions of a grid game, focusing on numbers, fruits, and colours. Finally, you'll complete a worksheet activity involving a frog navigating a 4x4 grid to find fruit.

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes

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1 Simon Says
2 4x4 Grids
3 Numbers Grid
4 Fruit Grid
5 Colours Grid
6 Grid Worksheet Activity

1 - Simon Says

Start the lesson by revisiting the game of Simon Says to help the students practice following instructions. Remind them how the game works by saying, "Remember, in Simon Says, you only follow the command if it starts with 'Simon says.'"

Begin playing the game with some simple commands to get everyone warmed up. As the game progresses, gradually introduce more complex commands to keep the students engaged and attentive. Don’t forget to check our Teacher Notes for a list of Simon Says commands that you can use to keep the game fun and challenging.

Teacher Notes

Simon says touch your nose.
Simon says clap your hands.
Simon says hop on one foot.
Simon says wave your hand.
Simon says pat your head.
Simon says turn around.
Simon says jump up and down.
Simon says touch your toes.
Simon says stand on one foot.
Simon says blink your eyes.
Simon says march in place.
Simon says put your hands on your hips.
Simon says shake your head.
Simon says pretend to swim.
Simon says sit down.
Simon says stand up.
Simon says wiggle your fingers.
Simon says stomp your feet.
Simon says hug yourself.
Simon says make a funny face.
Simon says hop like a bunny.
Simon says act like a robot.
Simon says pretend to swim.
Simon says crawl like a crab.
Simon says roar like a lion.
Simon says jump like a kangaroo.
Simon says tiptoe quietly.
Simon says stretch like a cat.
Simon says flap your arms like a bird.
Simon says march like a soldier.
Simon says shake your whole body.
Simon says pretend to ride a horse.
Simon says freeze like a statue.
Simon says pretend to catch a ball.
Simon says act like you're blowing up a balloon.
Simon says spin around slowly.
Simon says pretend to be a tree swaying in the wind.
Simon says walk like a dinosaur.
Simon says pretend to be a superhero.
Simon says act like you're riding a bike.

2 - 4x4 Grids

Introduce the following 4X4 grid on the interactive whiteboard, explaining that it has 4 squares across and 4 squares down. Introduce the up and down arrows, demonstrating how they move the character one step up or down on the grid. Explain that today's task is to navigate the character to different items using the arrows.

Start with a simple example, guiding the students to suggest commands, and demonstrate the movements on the board. Then, let individual students take turns using the arrows to help the character find different items, using the interactive game to practice.

There are 3 versions of the 4 x 4 grid game with different themes, you can use any with your class or mix and match them to keep it entertaining for your class!

3 - Numbers Grid

4 - Fruit Grid

5 - Colours Grid

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