Lego Bar Graphs
Mathematics (Data Analysis)
An activity for preschoolers
Materials
-Mega Legos
(Materials for modifiers) -list of materials Modifiers/Scaffold
For an easier challenge:
-Practice counting the Legos with the student, and arranging the Legos into different numbers. For most children: -Encourage children to make a Lego bar graph for all the animals For a trickier challenge: -Use smaller Legos with later students. -Have the students collect data with four or more bars and make the bar graph out of Legos. Follow-up Ideas
- Have the students arrange their shoes from biggest to smallest! Include doll shoes and the teacher's shoes to further the activity. You can also arrange lunch boxes and water bottles from biggest to smallest as well.
-Let the children collect data. Give them a set of questions to ask each other, and then have them use tally marks to keep track of their data. Then, use the Legos to make bar graphs representing what they found afterwards. |
Originating Idea
Everyday, my class makes a bar graph illustrating how many boys and how many girls there are in our class. Ever since we started doing this I hear my students constantly counting how many boys and girls there are on a daily basis. I thought this activity would put a fun and enjoyable twist on a daily routine.
How to Make It
You place a box of Mega Legos next to the teacher's easel.
How to Implement It
During circle time, the teacher tells her children, "We are going to make a bar graph this morning! However, we're not going to use just our easel and markers. Today, we're going to use Legos! Raise your hand if you're a boy!" Let the boys all raise their hands, and assist the earlier students who are confused if they're a boy or a girl. "If you rose your hand, come up and stack a Lego in my hand." The students will come up and stack the Legos in your hand. Then the teacher will do the same thing with the girls. She will then talk about the difference between the two stacks with her students. After that, she will say, "Miss Whitney and I have gotten enough Mega Lego for you all to make your own bar graphs! We're going to find out which animal is your favorite- a lion, a tiger, or a bear - and then I want you to make me a bar graph showing our results!" The teacher will collect the data and write out how many students like each animal on the board before passing out the Mega Legos.
Most students may make a single bar graph showing how many friends like their favorite animal. Earlier students may simply stack the blocks up, while later students may make bar graphs with three or four different bars. They will count the Legos with their friends, and may even correct some of them! They will talk to their teacher about their favorite animal, and the number of friends who did like their favorite animal. Once the students are done with their graphs, they can choose to either put their Mega Legos away and enjoy free choice, or continue playing with the Lego as a part of their free choice. |