Lesson Plan #1 Legos

1. Lesson Plan #1: Legos
Standard(s):
1B-AP-08: Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine the most
appropriate one. (P.6.3, P.3.3)
Materials:
Legos
Paper
Utensil
Objective(s):
Students will be introduced to the following lesson plans surrounding the programming theme.
They will learn programming vocabulary and then do an activity with Legos. This activity will
give them a sense of how programming languages work.
Website links
• PowerPoint On Paintbrush Pals Website: Lesson Plan #1: Legos
Duration: How many minutes do you think you will need to teach this lesson?
60 minutes:
Introduction (5 minutes):
● Use the PowerPoint below to introduce the lesson.
● Begin by asking students what they already know about programming.
● Explain what this unit is going to detail, including scratch.
● Shortly explain what the scratch program is.
Vocab (10 minutes):
● Tell students to get out a piece of paper and a utensil.
● Use the following slides that have vocab words and definitions.
● Answer any questions the students may have on what those words mean and use examples
for each.
Before Lego Activity (5 minutes):
● Instruct students to choose a group of 2.
● If there is an odd number of students, do one group of 3.
● Have them sit back-to-back and wait for instructions.
Lego Activity (20 minutes):
● Give each group a handful of Legos; each person in one group should have a set to match.
● Instruct students that they cannot look at each other’s Lego masterpieces until they switch.
● One person will make a structure for 5 minutes and then instruct their partner to make the same
design one piece at a time.
● Set a timer for 5 minutes.
● After 10 minutes, the group can look at their designs to see if they were able to make the same
structure.
● The two students will switch jobs and repeat the last 10 minutes.
Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes):
● Allow students to share their structures with the class.
● If a group was not able to make the exact same structures, they should ask another group who did
make the same structures on what they did.

2. Conclusion (5 minutes):
● Have the students clean up the Legos and put them back in the same bags they came with so
the Legos don’t get mixed up.
● The students will go back to their seats to be ready for the next lesson.