- Fractions: The different colors and sizes of
Lego bricks enable you to create a visual representation to show kids how
fractions add up to make a whole, and as their skills progress, how they
can add them to make other fractions. For instance, if you call a 2-by-8
brick a "whole," then a 1-by-1 makes 1/16, a 1-by-2 makes 1/8, a
2-by-2 makes 1/4, and so on. Use contrasting colors to demonstrate the
concept at a glance.
- Square Numbers: Lego bricks offer a perfect way
to demonstrate square numbers. Just have your child make a square where
the number of pegs down each side is the number they are squaring. Then
ask them to count the total number of pegs in the square.
- Area and Perimeter: Like with square numbers, Lego
bricks give kids a visual representation of a concept, a way to count out
the answer, and -- as their math skills improve -- a demonstration of how
the formulas for perimeter and area actually work. Using the base pieces,
create squares, rectangles, and nonconforming shapes with the Legos, and
ask your child to find the perimeter and area. You can also do it in
reverse, and ask your child to create a shape that has a specific
perimeter, area, or both.
- Multiplication and Times Tables: Lego bricks make a perfect way to
demonstrate multiplication in a way that kids understand better than just
rote memorization. If you're teaching the two times table, for instance,
make a rectangle with two rows of three or four pegs. Explain that "2
x 4" is the same as two rows of four pegs, and ask your child to
count the pegs to find the answer. Then add a 1-by-2 brick to quickly add
one peg to each row, and ask again. Repeat with each number, and then
repeat the entire process with each times table.
- The Mean or Arithmetic Average: Lego brick towers make a great
way to demonstrate the concept of the mean, or arithmetic average. Give
your child several towers of Lego bricks: for instance, a tower of four
bricks, a tower of three, and a tower of five. To find the average, have
your child combine all of the bricks into one tower, and then split them
equally into the same number of towers they started with. In this case,
there are 12 total bricks, to make three towers of four bricks each --
demonstrating that the mean is four.
Tips for Lego Lessons
With Lego math, expect that
not all of the lesson will be focused study. This is okay because the entire
purpose of using Legos to do math is to make it fun. Have a plan for what
concepts you want to teach, but allow time for free play initially. Then you
can transition more naturally into the lesson at hand.Kids learn best when their imagination is given free rein, their curiosity about the world is encouraged, and concepts are taught in ways that relate to real life. If this sounds like the kind of education you want for your child, you will love the Montessori approach. Contact our Mission Valley Kindergarten to schedule a tour of our school.
