Image 1.
I will admit, I am totally obsessed with the use of Legos in schools and libraries. Let me explain... kids of all ages can enjoy legos. They are easy to house and keep neat. There is no limit on the things you can build and create. There is no recurring cost and most parents don't mind donating used legos to schools. You can use Legos to teach the elements of a story and other state standards. You can teach team work, collaboration, and social skills.
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When I have my own library, my very first Maskerspace will be Legos! I have mounds of legos just waiting. Lego tables, building mats, and storage boxes are essential. I especially want a Lego wall!! My vision for this wall is rather simple. I want a space where students of all ages can quickly create something visible in the library. Over time, students can add to another student's work to create something totally different. According to Lauren Britton, "A maker space refers to people coming together to create and share resources, knowledge, and "stuff""(Britton, 2012). By having one wall for the school, the students can develop a sence of community and collaboration.
"Makers build off the ideas of others and choose the best tools for the job"
(Makerspace Playbook, 2013)
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Let me introduce you to the most amazing blog that I came across recently. This blog is called Renovated Learning: Building a Culture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. This blog is filled with amazing information on Makerspace!
In this blog, you can find out:
I love that the creator of this blog looks back and evaluates the usefullness of the Lego wall. I feel that a Lego wall can be a great addition to any library or classroom because they allow for endless creativity at any age.
Resources
Brittion, Lauren. (2012, October 1). The Makings of Maker Spaces, Part 1: Space for Creation Not
Image 1. https://www.npr.org/2021/04/03/983870097/people-are-stealing-legos-heres-why
Image 2. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/education-lego-let-our-kids-be-kids-
protesters-sats
Image 3. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/7f/f7/a97ff7adf0aec4b5cb226e3417f2dd81.jpg
Makerspace Team (2013). Makerspace Playbook: School Edition. Maker Media
Rendina, Diana. (2015). Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education.
http://www.renovatedlearning.com/blog/
Rendina, Diana. (2014, September 12). How to Build an Epic Lego Wall. Renovated Learnig: Building a
Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/12/the-
epic-library-lego-wall-how-to-build-one/
Rendina, Diana. (2014, September 11). The Tale of the Epic Lego Wall. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/11/the-tale-of-the-epic-library-lego-wall-part-1/
Rendina, Diana. (2014, September26). Recent Epic Lego Builds. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/26/recent-epic-lego-builds/
Rendina, Diana. (2015, September 11). Celebrating a Year of Awesome. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2015/09/11/lego-wall-round-up/
Awesome post, Crystal! I heard, or read(?) a criticism of Lego walls recently that caused me to be less interested but this has changed my mind. I heard the drawback was that one couldn't build tall structures because of the vertical nature of the board but, I noticed several "tall" structures in this blogger's photos. And, perhaps a table could accompany the board if that becomes an issue. I saved this resource for future reference. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDelete-DeAnna Owens
Crystal. Thanks for sharing Renovated Learning blog. What a great resource and one that I can see returning to often! I love LEGO and think LEGO walls are a great idea and would certainly be a focal point for a library or classroom makerspace. The couple of tubs of loose LEGO we have in our high school library were a constant draw in the pre-COVID era and a wall might take that to the next level. Building challenges rooted in engineering principles, creativity, or daily or weekly themes would be a fun way to engage and maintain interest. Regarding "tall" builds - there was an episode of LEGO Masters this season where contestants built out from a wall and were judged on creativity and distance. The "tallest" structure was something like 6 feet (!) and was amazing. Connecting your LEGO wall with a show like LEGO Masters for ideas and inspiration could also be a fun idea. Finally, I must take issue with your assertion that LEGO are "easy to house and keep neat." The anecdotal evidence (in our house) suggests otherwise! :) Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHere's the intro to the Castle on the Edge of a Cliff challenge from Season 2 of Lego Masters (apologies for the ads): https://www.fox.com/watch/45e15aa927e84774eb838cd817790620/
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ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteI love the lego concept. It seems that items like legos are great because they can be used by individuals or in groups. When groups use items like legos they are able to work cooperatively and use teamwork to complete tasks together. Thanks for sharing all the great resources!!!
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI am also a big supporter of using legos in makerspaces. I love that the community can be involved and students can donate legos to use as well! And there are a lot of possibilities for making lego tables and lego walls for the students to use. Students will love the chance to let their creativity shine and it could certainly be an individual or group effort as well.
-Alexandria
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI have always loved having legos in my classroom, and they are always a student favorite! Mine were actually donated to my class by a cousin, and I've always had plans to increase the collection. I really like the idea of a lego wall, and it would definitely encourage collaboration between students. They would love adding to it and watching it for changes as they build! I can't wait to check out the blow!
Elizabeth Ford
I absolutely love this idea! I am in a high school, but the idea of a lego wall seems like a great way to add a pop of color to our library and signify a collaborative space. We could even use it for collaborative poetry! I am always surprised by the number of older kids that tell me they still like legos. Making it a way for students to be creative and express themselves can be a stress reliever too! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post! I am in a school library for the first time this year. I am currently working on a plan to get makerspaces and one of my top priorities is getting LEGO stations! I would LOVE to have a LEGO wall. In fact, I already have a location picked out to put one if I can just get the money! Your links are going to be a great help in hopefully helping me develop my LEGO makerspace!
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your reflections on LEGO walls, and the Renovated Learning blog! My current school library has a LEGO wall. However, it hasn't been used last year or this year due to COVID restrictions. Before COVID, though, students loved to go and play with the LEGOs that were in our school library's MakerSpace. Our school librarian kept the LEGOs in a tub on a shelf in the MakerSpace, and students could either add to the wall or create something on their own that wasn't connected to the wall. You are right...LEGOs are very adaptable and can be tied to standards easily, no matter what level you teach!