The LEGO and "Story Table" Workshops use the same principle to engage and teach: student construct, then retell the Bible story using props (figurines, LEGO, etc). In the past, these workshop ideas have been called "Diorama" and "Construction" workshops.
They are a particularly fun and "different" kind of workshop in the Rotation Model.
Lego table dramas can be as simple or elaborate as time and student ability allow.
There are many reasons why we like "LEGO" workshops:
- Kids and adults love to build with Legos.
- Legos scale nicely between 1st and 6th graders.
- Construction focuses their mind's attention. It's the fine-motor skills that do it!
- Construction can foster cooperative behavior.
- Legos have a cool factor.
- Many church members have Legos to donate! They can also be purchased in bulk online.
- Creating the scene of a story helps student Imagine and better remember the story, and consider details they may not have noticed by simply reading or hearing the story. .
- Lego characters are POSABLE. In addition to conveying action and reaction in the story.
Whether you're constructing one Bible story scene, or splitting into groups and creating several different scenes in a story, their Lego creations are personal ("I made that") and they are shareable ("let me tell you the part of the story I constructed").
Here are some photos from State Street UMC's Elijah rotation
Different groups took different parts of the Elijah story, which they had been studying that month, recreated and then retold the story in Legos.
Do you recognize Elijah's story above?
Hint: Notice the fallen characters and blue border.
Answer at the end of this post.
Elijah calls Elisha to service. Elijah eats dinner with Elisha and his family.
Answer to the first photo:
1 Kings 18: Elijah and the Prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel.
Elijah had them pour water on his bull and God sent down fire.
