Lesson: Navajo Rug


Lesson Overview

  • Objective: Learning pattern recognition and instruction sequencing through Navajo rug design and LEGO robotics
  • Recommended grade level: 4th grade – adult
  • Time to complete: 2 hours

Materials needed

  • LEGO SPIKE Prime Hub
  • At least 1 motor (2 recommended)
  • Laptop for coding
  • Marker(s) and paper
  • Rubber band (size and tension that can stabilize the marker to stand upright)
  • Example rug designs

Problem Statement

Using your LEGO SPIKE Prime kit, design and create a Navajo rug pattern.

Example robot (Dinésh Chįįn)

Suggestions for calibrating difficulty

  • To start off: Have students draw out a basic pattern and create a set of instructions to make that pattern — then pass the instructions to a classmate and see if they can recreate the pattern
  • To add a little challenge: Create a robot that drives and holds the marker to the paper. This design will have imperfections at corners but is a simple starting build to accomplish the challenge.
  • To add a lot of challenge: Have students follow the rug building instructions provided below.
Navajo-Rug-Building-Instructions-1-of-2