Quick and simple ideas of how to use LEGO in the classroom

LEGO bricks are one of the most popular toys in the world. Thus, you can use LEGO in the classroom to make learning art, science, reading and even math more fun for your students.

LEGO bricks are a fun, hands-on practice of Math

1. Counting. Arrange the bricks from 1 to 10. Sort the bricks in order of size.
2. Number building. Build numbers using the bricks. For example, bricks of 1 make the same as the brick representing number 2. They’re the same size as well.
3. Calculations. From simple to most complicated. A great visual tool! From counting every integer, to counting in 5s and 10s.
4. Multiplications.
5. Fractions. Using bricks of different colours, fractions make more sense as the size of one brick compared to the bigger brick becomes more obvious. This is especially important for kids that learn visually.
6. Patterns. Sort the bricks into colours, create number/size patterns, etc.
7. Problem solving. Anna has 5 apples, she gives her sister 2 apples, how many has she got left? You can work into more complex figures. For example, there are 100 car park spaces in the mall and 81 cars parked, how many empty spaces are there left?
8. Calculating areas and volumes.

LEGO bricks for English

You can use LEGO characters in the classroom to form families, to tell stories, to create characters or to set scenes for a new story. Here is the LEGO story to give you discussion ideas:

You can create a quiz about the story, you can practise writing by asking your children to re-write the story in their own words, you can practise discourse markers (then, after that, finally, etc.)

LEGO bricks for Science

Can you build a bridge? Can you build a basket to carry all your pencils? Can you design…? You name it!

Use LEGO in the classroom to create a habitat for animals.

If the bricks have magnets, you could demonstrate forces.

LEGO bricks for Art

Paint on the LEGO bricks and create mosaics, patterns, country flags, stamps.

Have you ever used LEGO bricks in your classrooms? How old were the children? Can you name any activities that went really well?