Boy Builds Huge Lego Titanic

As you know, I am a Lego fan and frequently use them with working with students, individually, in small groups and in the classroom. I have been meaning to share this video with some students for awhile and opted to post it to my blog (click image above to view). In this stop-motion video, a boy uses Lego bricks to build a model of the Titanic. Pretty cool, right!?! 

Inspired, I did a bit of googling and was able to learn a little about this builder and his work. Fifteen-year-old Icelandic Karl Brynjar is on the autism spectrum and developed a passion for learning about the Titanic at a young age. When he turned 10, he decided to combined his passion for the Titanic with his other love: Lego. Karl worked on the model over an 11-month span, with 700 hours of build time and using 56,000 Lego bricks.

Karl's accomplishment has gone viral online. He hosted a Ted Talk to explain how a boy with autism overcame obstacles to complete his dream project and he is writing a book, My Autistic X Factor. For more information about Karl, check out the links below. I hope this inspires your child to build some amazing Lego creations! 

CBS News

CBS Local: Dallas-Fort Worth

How the Titanic Became My Lifeboat

Lego Build Ideas

Looking for ideas for Lego builds that your child can do independently, beyond kits and free building? If so, check out Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. This blog, written by the mother of four boys and one girl, provides a wide variety of ideas, from pumpkin launchers to Easter eggs. She also shares some STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and how to may learning at home fun (or at least a little more so). Please send photos of your child's creations. I look forward to seeing them!

Lego Challenges

I will present students with a problem that they must work in small groups to solve. They are told the problem, the parameters and a list of resources, often Legos (why not?). These challenges are fun and a great way for students to apply and hone important skills such as problem solving, collaboration and communication. Here are some challenges that your child can do at home:

Minifigure Transport
Problem: Minifigure needs to get across the room. They are afraid of people (after all, compared to them we are HUGE!), so you cannot touch them. Your resources: Legos, rope and a pulley. Note: there are lots of different ways they could solve this problem, such as a zip line pictured above. Instead of a rope and pulley, you could give them rubber bands to create some kind of catapult. The options are endless! Whatever you have on hand will work. Allow your child to come up with the solution on their own. Trial and error, dealing with failed attempts are an important part of the process.

Partner Build
Problem: You must communicate using only your words. Partners sit back to back, each given the same Lego blocks. The first person has one minute to build something using the blocks. Next, he/she must explain to their partner how to build what they created. They will compare their work and switch roles. Note: for single child families YOU can be the partner! Debrief with questions such as: "What made this challenging?" "How did you feel when what you built did not match? What zone were you in?" and "What would make the task easier?"

Building Challenges
Use your supply of Legos to: build the tallest tower, a bridge that crosses a specified distance (i.e., between two tables) or that spans the farthest distance or can hold the most weight. Children can work on their own, with a partner or they could compete against each other.

Legos as Models
Have your child use their Legos to create models of known buildings or scenery: home, school, places they have traveled, amusement park, etc. They could recreate scenes or buildings from a book, show or movie.

For other ideas, check out:

• Lego Club Activity Ideas
• Team Building Activities with Lego Bricks

I look forward to seeing what they build. Please send photos to: jstevenson@huusd.org.

30 Day Lego Challenge

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Legos. I use them to engage with students and teach them important social skills such as effective communication and problem solving. I came across this 30 Day Lego Challenge on Facebook. With a different build each day, this could be a fun distraction for your child, providing a creative outlet and a way to manage their worries. If you are willing, I would love to see their creations! Email photos to jstevenson@huusd.org.

(Source: East Elementary - Jefferson, WI)