2nd graders Lego Simple Machine kits

Our otters really enjoy Legos, from free builds to themes to working together with Lego Education kits. Thank you to FUTURES Foundation for helping fund the kits to supplement our learning of simple machines. I had 6 kits so most classes had 4 to a group. With kit building I found it was important to assign jobs for each student and then rotate those jobs so everyone was able to build, direct the group, find the pieces, and then check the build.

Let me share what I learned to work for our students during introduction of the kits to our 2nd graders. According to birth month each child was a 1-2-3-4. For the first session 1-was in charge of directions, getting the kit and returning the kit. 2-was the piece finder and placed the pieces on the lid for the builder. 3 was the builder and everyone groaned that was not a 3. It happens and that is why we rotate jobs. 4 was the checker and the first to try out the build. Procedures helped us to maximize our 45 minutes. Believe me 45 minutes is not long enough when you have a cart of Legos the kids want to get in to and build. The teamwork, kindness, patience, and support of one another was a beautiful thing to see. When we cleaned up we would talk about what went right and what we could improve upon. Of course everyone wanted to be the builder but then there were kids that liked finding the pieces and ones that really liked the group they worked with, and even one that said it was so fun they couldn't wait to come back to build again. Of course everyone then agreed with that student. These are skills adults use daily and I am so proud of our second graders for finding the positive with their roles and creating.

1st grade LEGO top building

Thanks to FUTURES Foundation, teachers can ask for grants to supplement programs within their classrooms.  Our second graders used the early learners Simple Machine kits so towards the end of the school year I thought maybe the first graders would enjoy learning. They had a blast! Students of today don't play with tops but ask any of them about Bayblades and they can launch into a discussion on their design, colors, and all about the launcher. We followed directions, used teamwork, and they had to figure out how to fit the gear's teeth into one another to make the top spin. It was so exciting to see it when they finally got it.

We talked about what worked, what didn't, how could you make it move faster, and then the aha moment came...can we battle one another? You mean like Bayblades do? So engaging and exciting!

I am sure these firsties won't soon forget how much fun they had in STEM class learning.

LEGOS for Education-Simple Machines

Each year FUTURES Foundation allows teachers to apply for mini-grants to support programs in the classroom. Simple machines is a unit within our science curriculum.  After some research Lego Education produces kits with step by step directions creating a variety of builds using collaboration, problem-solving and teamwork. Partners again were programmers and builders and switched half way through the steps. This allowed students opportunity to learn the pieces, where they were located, and where to put them when finished.  It is important to have procedures in place when working with Legos. 

Things I learned to have procedures for: 

• How to store the Legos
• where to store the Legos and the building manuals
• taking off the lid-without the pieces flying everywhere
• building in the lid to contain the pieces
• only taking the top tray out when retrieving a piece from the bottom 
• programmer uses the book and gets the pieces for the builder
• builder can ask for help at any time and work together
• switch roles halfway through the building steps

Our 45 minute class sessions went by so quickly and they students begged for more time.  We started with vocabulary clock-wise, counter clock-wise, rods, 2x3, flats, cranks, etc. I would leave them with a question to find out during the build. They needed to talk to one another to have an answer and demonstrate the concept of the build. Once they called me over they could add to the build and even experiment by trading gear sizes or extending pieces. There were so many "Aha!" moments I got to see from the most amazing students. I am so grateful we have organizations like FUTURES Foundation that provide the means of having these experiences for our students. Sofia Walker co-wrote the grant with me and all of 3rd grade benefited from the materials and lessons. She is the BEST!!

Are you better at follow directions or giving directions?

Along the same lines of using tangrams I tried an unplugged activity with our 2nd through 5th grades. While visiting the LEGO store at Disney Springs I was able to buy a container of  selected LEGOS. I bought pieces in sets of 15 so I could make at least 15 bags and maybe even a few in case they were lost. I would put the same pieces in each bag and have 1 master model.  Partners were then asked if they were better builders or programmers? See programming is a set of directions or steps to follow.  After rock, paper, scissors one partner got to pick builder or programmer.


I held the master copy and the programmer was allowed to look and touch the master model as many times as they needed while they told the builder what and how to build, BUT could not touch any of the pieces. Probably the toughest part for the students. The builders were to follow the programmer's directions and when they thought it was done they could check it against the master.

 With the second grades I used fewer pieces which made for a less complicated master model.

Here are some 5th grader programmers and builders.

Everyone was engaged and when we were done we took them apart and I had a different model while they switched roles. We had a breakout session at the end of pros and cons.  It was interesting listening to them give their perspective. Oh and for the 2nd one they had to give directions without using color words. Yes it was a bit tougher. Great learning experience to see how detailed directions needed to be and patience for the builder. It was interesting to see which programmers needed more time with the master model. Some didn't tough it at all where other students literally had to walk over step by step to give building instructions.

Top 10 for 2016-2017

Well that school year flew right by...
I decided to maybe do a Top 10 of my absolute favorite STEM activities from the year, after all I have like 9,000 photos saved on my phone. Yes, you read that correctly 9,000 photos. New plan Top 10 for the last 10 months and we start with September. So take a wild ride these next few weeks as I catch you up on the BEST year ever...being the STEM Special Area teacher for Cypress Creek Elementary.

After talking about being a digital citizen and getting to know one another the first few weeks the 1st challenge was posed to the intermediate students.  They had to make a crayon organizer out of available materials.  We needed to have a common definition of organized and what better way that Kahoot!  It was so much fun showing various pictures and hearing the oh my! and what? when the kids saw them and had to decide is it organized or not.  After that students were given  list of available materials and the planning started.

How big was the organizer going to be?  How would it organize the crayons? What about color pencils?  How would you decorate? maybe label? oh the possibilities were endless.

Since we only have 35 minutes it took a few sessions but the results were amazing!  More to come on that.  One of the materials was toilet tubes and from he donations received my trusty assistant made sure they were all cleaned up for the students.  Isn't she just the best ever!  The kids love having her volunteer every Wednesday and she absolutely has the BEST time with the kindergarten kiddos.

The primary students took part in  #globalcardboardchallenge  One of my favorite teachers, Amy Spies introduced me to Caine's Arcade.  Caine is an exceptional young man that used problem solving, creativity and perseverance to make the world a better place.  If you have a moment watch:

The challenge was to make something, anything out of cardboard and the wheels were turning from the word go.  Ethan was on a mission.  He wanted 26 pieces of cardboard and Ahma was on duty to help cut those pieces of cardboard.

Finished product: a set of alphabet cards and he was so proud of them.  Ethan is a kindergartener with a little sister and I know those cards were put to good use.  I was so impressed with his will and determination through the whole process.  It was going to be an amazing year.

Cypress Creek has PLC weekly for teachers to meet, learn, and collaborate which gives special are an extra 20 minutes with each grade level.  I had a buddy that let me borrow a set of Build to Express kits and I am telling you it turned out the be the BEST thing ever!  The kids loved building, creating, talking, sharing, and groaned when it was time for "diassemble and clean-up." 

Seriously this smile is worth a million LEGOS right?

Caleb loves our custodial staff.  He is the most helpful young man and created a scene of custodians.  I couldn't wait to share it with Mr. Gerry and Ms. Lori.  You never know the impression you leave with a young one.  

Back to the crayon organizers and cardboard challenge, it was a workshop of materials, movement, and you could feel the energy.  The students were impressive with their thinking, their willingness to help one another, and their creativity.  Cameron wanted to create an arcade game to score points by throwing a ball.  Aha got in on the action and it was so cute.

Cameron's next steps are to add point labels and he has some work to do.  One thing I learned quickly was storage! Where was I going to store crayon organizers and cardboard projects for all these students.  Just a glimpse into the storage room.

The T is STEM is for technology so where is the technology?  Up comes Goformative and it is a game changer.  I need to do a whole write up to give it justice. So make sure to check back.