Build Me A Wall

Objective

Students will learn measurement and spacial awareness by following verbal instructions to build a wall. Students must listen carefully to build their wall to the correct dimensions, installing doors and windows along the way. When complete, each wall is combined to form one side of a multi-storied building.

Description

Ever watch a carpenter frame a house or a construction worker build a building? They must use math and measurement to complete their tasks. Let’s learn how! Using basic LEGO bricks and simple instructions, students will each build one wall of a multi-storied project.

Procedures

During class activity:

1. The teacher distributes roughly 60 LEGO bricks to each student. All shapes and sizes can be used. Rulers should also be distributed. If base plates are available, hand one to each student to assist in stabilization of the build.
2. Instruct students to build a LEGO brick wall. Included along this wall are to be two windows and one door. The wall each student build must adhere to the four rules located below these instructions.  
3. When each student has completed their build, have them bring their wall to the front of class. Using a base plate for each level, begin assembling a multi-storied building with each story being comprised of four walls.

• The length of each wall must be equivalent to six 2x4 LEGO bricks placed end to end or 7.5 inches long
• The height of each wall must be equivalent to eight LEGO bricks stacks on top of one another or 3 inches high.
• Each wall must have one door and two windows.
• The windows on each wall should be exactly the same size. However, the door must be bigger than the windows.

Discussion

1. How far from the side of the wall did you place your door and/or window? Why?
2. What would happen if one of the four walls were not built to its correct dimensions?
3. How many LEGO bricks did it take to build your wall? Could you have built it with less bricks? How?

Continuation

Decorate the interior! Now that you have each story of your building complete, it’s time to decorate! Give students various items to build (couches, desks, chairs, tables, etc) and invite them to decorate their interior. Each piece should be required to fit within a specific area, giving maximum dimensions and placement directions with the required build.