Building & Making
Grades 3-5
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Design and Build
Age Group
Ages 9-11
Session Intention
Children plan and build something to solve a design challenge.
Materials Needed
- Mechanix Plastic (2)
- Jodo Straws (1)
- Mechanix-2 (1)
- Super Architect / Lego (2)
- Jodo Blocks (1)
- Magnetix-2 (1)
- Jumbo Blocks (1)
- Mechanix Beginner Assortment (3)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 and give each a construction kit.
2. Building happens at benches or floor space.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Buzz (3-4 min)
1. Pick someone to say 1, the next child says 2 and so on.
2. Every multiple of 3 becomes BUZZ instead of the number.
3. Anyone who says the number restarts the count.
4. Do one slow round, then one fast round.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the pieces.
2. Take turns.
3. Be kind.
4. Do not break each other's builds.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Write 3 levels of challenges on the board:
- Starter: Build something the tallest structure that does not need support.
- Medium: Build a bridge from one bench to the other. It should hold a full water bottle for 10 seconds.
- Hard: Build something tall and strong enough to survive 3 taps from the facilitator.
2. Distribute the construction kits to each group.
3. Give groups 3 minutes to discuss and plan their build.
PROCESS:
1. Ask groups to start building and testing their ideas.
2. Encourage groups to improve their designs if something does not work.
3. After 18–20 minutes, ask each group to show, test and explain their creation
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Visit groups and ask what they are trying to build.
2. Encourage groups to test their creations and make changes when needed.
3. If a build keeps failing, ask children to identify the part that needs improvement.
4. If a group is finding the challenge too difficult, encourage them to try an easier version.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. If a group is running out of time, ask them to focus on the most important improvement.
2. If a group finishes early, challenge them to rebuild using fewer pieces.
What You May Notice
1. Groups will approach the same challenge in very different ways. Celebrate the variety.
2. Children get frustrated when builds fail. Use it as a chance to talk about trying again.
3. Notice how groups communicate: do they plan together, or does one person decide?
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Start giving time check as the end approaches
2. Each group can present their design in 30 seconds.
3. Clap for each group.
4. Ask the children to pack materials back into the correct boxes.
Try Next Time
1. Introduce constraints. Eg: Build using only 20 pieces or No square shapes allowed.
2. Let groups explain their design decisions to the class.
3. Give a client brief - Build something that you can play with in class.