Lego and Loose Materials

 

As Grayson and Megan continued to play, they explored the materials in the baskets. Morgan looked under the table and began to add more things. She found a basket that had wooden doll house items. Together, Grayson and Megan created a home with many rooms and an outside area.

Creativity, co-operation, collaboration and story-telling at it's finest!

A Plan or A Picture?

Today we talked about the difference between a plan and a picture.

The importance of a plan is that the thinking is happening before the doing.

What happens when it comes time to carry out the plan?

*Trial and error

*Changes

*Additions

*Perseverance

*Following thinking/project to completion

The importance of drawing a picture is that the thinking comes after the doing.

How is a drawing a picture of something a child has created different than a plan?

*Copying

*Observation of detail

*Representation of object

*Discussion of three dimensional objects

*Trial and error

*Developing focus

*Self correction

Amazing Lego Creations

We continue to be in touch with the Lego company and have some exiting news. We are entering our children's amazing Lego creations in a contest! Our children continue to learn, design, problem-solve, write, create and collaborate with Lego. We can't wait for Lego to get our photographs.
Take a look at the amazing Lego creations that come from the wonderful world of kindergarten.
Can you name the learning?

Lego City

The children's interest in Lego's has continued to grow and grow and grow!!!

As they have worked on this interest throughout the year, we've noticed how much more detailed their pieces have become. The children have put such time and effort into the planning, the stories and the explanations of their pieces.

We are seeing the difference that teamwork and collaboration is making.

You can imagine our excitement when we received a reply to the letter we sent to the President of Lego!!!  The letter was signed by four Lego workers. They loved the pictures and even looked at our blog. Now they have our letter up for all the workers to see, so that everyone knows how important their job is and how happy the children are when they get to play with Lego!

The letter spurred a renewed interest in making the most of our Lego's. Lego City is being built and the children are making sure they include all the things they know about cities.

The children have made labels, maps, vehicles, buildings... even a volcano!  We are so excited about Lego and our connection with the Lego company that we have sent another letter to them. Look out summer yard sales... there will be some teachers from the wonderful world of kindergarten on a Lego lookout!!

A Visit With Shawn in France

Once again, the wonderful world of technology brings us close to our friend Shawn as he experiences France with his family.  Shawn is showing us his Lego creation. The children have been making amazing Lego creations.  Not even the Atlantic Ocean can keep friends from creating with Lego together!  Playing with Lego offers so many opportunities to learn and share.

Shawn tells us of his many adventures.  On his blog, we've seen the snow sculpture of the Eiffel Tower.  Hmmmm.... Lego... sculpture... Eiffel Tower... are you thinking what we're thinking?!

Shawn + Lego + Suzuki Kindergarten Mighty Oaks = Amazing Possibilities!

Picking Up The Pieces (Lego Pieces That Is)!

Thomas Edison said, "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."  He didn't know about Lego!  

A happy pile of Lego waiting to be made whole!

The children dig deep into the sensory bin filled with the Lego that Mrs. Pizzuto's son used when he was young.  They feel the familiar plastic pieces that their parents and grandparents built with.  Some are in search of the tiny piece with only one dot, while others need the long piece for the blade of their helicopter.  Rocket ships, flying boats, cities, cars, planes, cranes...  Oh how the day flies while the children build and tell us of their latest invention or creative structure!

The wonderful world of Lego invites our children to do more than play.  Learning is literally at their fingertips!

Joshua writes about his 'police ship'.  Dmitri signs a letter to Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, the CEO of Lego.  Jack is sure that he is the best Lego builder ever.

"That's why he is the boss!"

Ireland and Addison make pictures to send with the letter while a group of boys put the finishing touches on their city.

The children talk about, plan, build, pattern and even measure with Lego!

Playing with Lego means critical thinking, fine motor, sharing, problem solving, balance, math, trial and error... 

 ... 3-dimensional planning and building, organizing, sorting, 

cause and effect...

... story telling, teamwork, creativity, spatial reasoning ...

... Oh the learning that comes from playing with Lego.  

Thomas Edison would have to agree that a 'pile of Lego' is a wonderful way to invite the children to not only learn well, but also to 'leg godt' .  Play Well children... play well and learn!