Who doesn’t enjoy playing with building blocks such as Legos? There is something both relaxing and stimulating about these simple structures. Seeing your creation come together is fun for all ages! Pulling out building blocks will hook your students and almost always guarantee engagement.
Writing Precise Directions and Following Directions
For this activity, all students create a simple structure. Students have a present amount of time to create their designs. This should be a short time period. I recommend only allowing a certain number of blocks on the structure. The number of blocks/complexity could increase if the activity is repeated later or if the students are older. It is important that students be instructed NOT to share their creations. After the building phase, students write instructions for someone else to accurately recreate their design. Students will need to pay attention to details and sequencing. Now the real fun begins! To model the activity, I select two students to demonstrate for the class. One student will read their instructions, and the other student will attempt to make an exact replica of the original. If the two students had the same blocks, be sure the original is hidden. If the students did not have the same set of blocks, take a photo of the original, dismantle it, mix up the pieces, and give them to the student who will be recreating the design. The photo allows you to compare the original to the finished product.
For the first round, I have students recreate only from their written instructions. If they are successful–great! If there are discrepancies, I allow the student trying to recreate the design to ask questions of the original creator. Sometimes the process is difficult even with verbal communication. If the students have completed this activity previously, I only allow the written instructions and do not allow questions.
Next, reverse roles. I usually put students in groups of four–with two students observing and two actively sharing their instructions and rebuilding. The observers offer feedback for both parties. How could the instructions have been improved? What listening skills, details, or sequencing need further attention to be successful? Continue the activity until all group members have had an opportunity to share their written directions and build a structure. Afterward, the entire class can process the activity.
Recreating/Summarizing/Symbolizing
Sequencing
This activity works well when reading a class novel, particularly if there has been a break from reading such as winter vacation, spring break, or standardized testing in the middle of your unit. Student pairs or small groups are assigned a chapter from the reading. They have a short period of time to use their building blocks to recreate a scene or symbol depicting the chapter. After the allowed time for creation, they collectively write a description of why their creation represents the chapter. After descriptions are written, they are shared with the class. As they are shared, the class puts them in order based on the novel. This activity helps students to sequence and allows the class to review a novel in a unique way.
Building Blocks with Poetry
Additionally, Building Block Poetry can be a unique way to explore language and creativity. Students can build a structure with their building blocks. Next, they write a poem inspired by their creation, focusing on descriptive language, figurative language, and poetic devices. This activity encourages imagination and helps students think outside the box when it comes to expressing themselves through writing.
Vocabulary Building
Use building blocks to help students understand and remember new vocabulary words. Have students build structures or scenes that represent the meaning of the words they are learning. This tactile approach can make abstract concepts more concrete and memorable for students. You may want to assign each student a different word and have other classmates guess the correct vocabulary word from viewing the design.
Do you have younger students/family members?
If you have young students or family member between the ages of 5 and 9, you can sign up for the free LEGO LIfe Magazine. It will be mailed directly to you five times a year–totally free!
The sign-up link may be found here. Archival copies are available on the website, so check them out and see if they would work for your young learners.
Looking for additional reading resources?
Reading Specialty has resources for preschool to high school students. Check out these March lessons for your class! Click here to see this March bundle on TPT!
Save with the bundle! Instead of the $3.00 per resource price, you can get these 31 titles for only $1.00 each! Everyone likes a bargain–check out these titles and save!
The March Bundle contains the following passages:
Salem Witch Trials
Biographical sketch of Theodor (Dr. S master of children’s lit) Geisel
Child Labor
Hindenburg
Boston Massacre
Dred Scott
Challenger
Oklahoma City Bombing
FDR New Deal
Salvation Army
Richard Byrd
Truman Doctrine
K-9 War Dogs
Albert Einstein
Julius Caesar
Red Cross
St. Patrick’s Day
Railroad History
Wyatt Earp
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Pocohontas
Equal Rights Amendment
Patrick Henry
Houdini
Selma to Montgomery
Auschwitz
Typhoid Mary
Jesse Owens
Terracotta Warriors
Amendment 15
Charles Dickens