The Lego Six Bricks Approach is a methodology that makes use of a simple set of six Lego bricks to facilitate learning through hands-on activities. It’s an engaging and interactive way to help young learners develop various skills. Here’s how you can utilize this approach to introduce coding concepts to grade 1 students.
- Introduction to Sequencing: Using Lego bricks, you can teach students the basic concept of sequencing, which is fundamental to coding. Provide students with simple patterns of bricks and ask them to continue the sequence. Slowly introduce the terminology: “First do this, then do that.”
- Algorithms and Instructions: Define an algorithm simply as a set of instructions to accomplish a task. Ask students to build a simple object with their six bricks, then have them explain step-by-step how they built it. This can also be turned into a game where one student has to follow the “algorithm” of another student to replicate a Lego build.
- Debugging: Create a simple Lego structure and make an ‘error’ in the sequence. Explain that sometimes when we code, we make mistakes and need to find and fix them. Let them figure out what is wrong and how to fix it.
- Loops: Use the Lego bricks to explain loops by building a repetitive pattern and explaining that this is like telling a computer to do something over and over again. For example, you can use two colors of Lego bricks and create a pattern that repeats, and ask them how they could instruct someone to recreate it without explaining every step.
- Conditional Statements: Teach them about conditions using scenarios. For example, “If you have a red brick, add it on top. Otherwise, add a blue one.” Help them build a structure based on these simple conditions.
- Building Characters and Stories: Allow the students to build characters and stories using the Six Bricks. Then, guide them through creating a simple story with their characters by structuring it with a sequence of events, introducing them to the concept of storyboards which are similar to coding structures.
- Robot Movements: Use the Lego bricks to represent a robot or a character and create a grid or a path. Ask students to write down instructions to move the Lego robot from one place to another, teaching them how commands can control the movements, similar to programming a robot.
- Pair Programming: Divide students into pairs and have one be the ‘driver’ (who assembles the Lego) and the other be the ‘navigator’ (who gives instructions). This will introduce them to the concept of pair programming, a common practice in software development.
- Visual Programming Introduction: Once they are comfortable with the basic concepts using the Lego bricks, you can introduce them to visual programming languages like ScratchJr which uses block-like structures much like Lego bricks to create code. This will allow them to make the connection between physical bricks and coding blocks.
Sample Lesson Plan: Introduction to Sequencing
Materials:
- Lego Six Bricks sets for each learner
- Large paper sheets and markers
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Set the context for the lesson.
- Explain what a sequence is by giving simple real-life examples:
- Getting Dressed: First, we put on our underwear, then a shirt, then pants, socks, and finally shoes.
- Making a Sandwich: First, we take out two slices of bread, then we spread butter or jam, add lettuce and a slice of cheese, and finally put the second slice on top.
Main Activity (35 minutes)
Activity 1 (15 minutes):
- Hand out the Lego Six Bricks sets to each learner.
- Show them a simple pattern made with three bricks, such as red, blue, red.
- Ask them to replicate the pattern with their bricks.
- Guide them through extending the pattern by saying, “What comes next after red? Right, blue! And after blue? Yes, red!” Encourage them to continue the pattern.
Activity 2 (20 minutes):
- Divide the learners into groups of four.
- Hand out large paper sheets and markers to each group.
- Guide the groups through creating a four-step sequence of patterns with their Lego bricks. For example:
- Stack a red brick on a blue brick.
- Add a green brick to the top.
- Attach a yellow brick to the side.
- Put a white brick in front.
- Ask the learners to draw each step on paper, using the markers to color code them.
- Once the steps are drawn, have each group present their sequence to the class. They should explain each step as they demonstrate it with the bricks.
Evaluation (5 minutes)
- Encourage the learners to look at the sequences created by different groups.
- Ask questions like:
- “What did you notice about the different sequences?”
- “Can you think of a different way to build the same shape?”
- Praise the learners for creating different sequences and recognize the diversity in solutions.
Conclusion (3 minutes)
- Recap what sequencing is and how it’s like giving instructions in order.
- Explain how this is similar to coding where you tell the computer what to do in a specific order.
Extension Activity/Homework (2 minutes)
- Ask the learners to think of a simple activity they do at home, like setting the table or packing their school bag, and to write or draw the steps in order. They should present this to a family member and explain the sequence.
Sample Lesson Plan 2: Debugging Patterns and Sequences with Lego Six Bricks
Materials:
- Lego Six Bricks sets for each learner
- Worksheets with sets of sequences (using patterns of Lego bricks)
- Large paper sheets and markers
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Introduce yourself and set the context for the lesson.
- Explain that today’s lesson is about finding and fixing mistakes in sequences of patterns, which is called debugging in coding.
Main Activity (35 minutes)
Activity 1: Identifying the Incorrect Sequence (15 minutes):
- Hand out a worksheet to each learner with sets of sequences made of patterns using Lego bricks.
- Explain that all sequences are the same, but one is incorrect.
- The patterns should be simple, consisting of 2 types of bricks (e.g. colors), and each sequence should be repeated 3 times.
- Ask learners to identify the incorrect sequence.
- Discuss as a class which sequence was incorrect and why.
Activity 2: Debugging Lego Sequences (20 minutes):
- Divide the learners into pairs and give each pair a set of Lego Six Bricks.
- Provide each pair with an example structure consisting of patterns with 2 types of bricks, and a sequence repeated 3 times with an error in it.
- Explain that their task is to work together to figure out what is wrong with the sequence and how to fix it.
- Circulate around the room and support the learners as needed, encouraging them to talk through their thinking process with their partner.
- Allow the pairs to present their solutions to the class, explaining the mistakes they found and how they fixed them.
Evaluation (5 minutes)
- Have a brief discussion with the learners about the activities.
- Ask questions like:
- “What strategies did you use to find the incorrect sequence?”
- “How did you fix the sequence?”
- Emphasize that making mistakes is okay and that debugging is an important skill in coding.
Conclusion (3 minutes)
- Recap what debugging is and how it helps in finding and fixing mistakes in sequences.
- Explain how pattern recognition is important in debugging and coding.
Extension Activity/Homework (2 minutes)
- Ask learners to create their own sequences with a mistake using objects at home (e.g., spoons, pencils).
- They should write or draw the sequences and bring them to the next class to let classmates find and fix the mistakes.