My students need Lego sets, building plates and blocks to build fraction models and 3-D graphs, create things they can write about, problem solve, explore, and collaborate in groups.
Every morning we recite a class creed that ends with "We are learning to read, write, inquire, and collaborate. We dream big. We are on the road to success!" I believe LEGO blocks will give my students endless opportunities to read, write, inquire, and collaborate in all of our core subjects.
I teach at a Title I school in an old brick school in that was built almost 100 years ago.
All but a couple of my third graders come from high poverty and eat free lunch and breakfast at school. Most of my students do not have access to the Internet or technology at home. Most of them do not have access to expensive but educational toys like LEGO. Many of my children have never been outside of our town. My children may be lacking in material things, but they are the most enthusiastic and energetic group of third graders you would ever meet! They are engaged and inquisitive. The picture I chose for my site was taken on Chinese New Year. The class was so excited to see Chinese writing in a few Chinese newspapers I picked up when I was at a city about ninety miles away. Later, they were thrilled when I let each child take a page home. There were so many squeals of excitement when I brought in a few free newspapers. I think they would be shocked if we got boxes of LEGO building sets!
My Project
I envision using LEGO resources in my classroom in so many different ways. I plan to utilize the LEGO sets during our Literacy Block. The students will build things at the writing center and then write a story about their creations. They can also use the sets to compose how to essays. I also plan to use the requested idea book for the students to practice reading and following directions in a nonfiction text. I have found many ideas posted by other teachers using LEGO blocks to build fraction models, 3-D graphs, repeated patterns, models that demonstrate operations, and other activities such as measurement in math. In science and social studies, the students will work in groups to problem solve using the LEGO blocks. The students will collaborate on projects utilizing the LEGO blocks, and then they will write about their ideas. Our LEGO blocks will be in use daily and will be incorporated into all subject areas.
My own children are grown, but they grew up with LEGO blocks and sets.
I want my students to have the same experiences of creating, problem-solving, exploring, and collaborating using this wonderful resource that my own boys had. I believe that my third graders should have the same resources and opportunities that other children have across the country. I have also found that when my students have something to manipulate in their hands, they are instantly engaged and their brains start working.
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