To help the ladybug plan the path it should take to navigate through the maze, click on the direction buttons. The commands will appear on the screen below the picture of the ladybug. Click on the Play button to see if the path works. To clear a step, click on the step in the plan and then click on the Clear Step button. To insert a step, click on the step in the plan and then click on another direction button. Other features can be accessed from the following buttons: 

	Play
	Pause (left button) and resume (right button)
	Stop and erase the path (does not erase the plan)
	Shows or hides the leaf
	Moves the leaf
	Forward
	Backward
	45 degree right turn
	45 degree left turn
	90 degree right turn
	90 degree left turn
	Clears the selected step
	Clears all steps

Task

The objective of this task is to plan a path that moves the ladybug through the maze. Click on the direction buttons to help the ladybug plan the path it should take to move through the maze without crossing the walls. Click the "Play" button to see if your plan works. Try some of the other mazes.

Getting Started in the Classroom

As students develop proficiency in navigating with the ladybug, they can create navigational plans that will move the ladybug through a maze. This process enables them to apply strategies learned in the other activities. To assess students' understanding of direction and distance, as well as their problem-solving strategies, teachers might ask the following:

• Did you picture in your head how to get the ladybug through the maze?
• Which movements did you use the most?
• If you walked the same path here in the classroom, starting at your table, where would you end up?

What Students Learn in Ladybug Mazes

Creating a plan to move the ladybug through a maze offers different challenges that are more difficult than those in the previous activities. Students must make a plan that will turn the ladybug at the appropriate corners and keep it on the path without crossing the walls. Because the applet allows students to modify one step in their plan, to begin with a new set of directions, and to execute their plans step by step or in their entirety, students have some flexibility in how they can approach the task while they gain experience in estimating length and turn (angle) measures.

Take Time to Reflect