This document outlines how to run a LEGO Junior Makerspace program at a library. It discusses choosing the appropriate type of LEGO program based on age group, including open play, robotics, and makerspace programs. It provides details on how to structure a LEGO Junior Makerspace program for kindergarten through 5th grade, including dividing it into a reading and making portion, suggested materials, and integrating technology extensions. The goal is to combine hands-on building with LEGO bricks and literacy.

1. LEGO Junior Makerspace
LEGOs and Literacy – A Perfect Pair
Nadine Buccilli Spano, Youth Services Librarian
Locust Valley Library

2. Lots of LEGO Programs
● Open Play- Lego Club
● Limited or no registration
● Self-guided by children and their caregiver
● LEGO Robotics and themed programs
● Mindstorms, City, or themed sets are used
● Librarian guided, but with specific outcomes
● LEGO Makerspace programs
● Reading and LEGOs are paired together
● Librarian and curriculum driven

3. Which to choose?
● Consider the Target Audience
● Ages 3-5yr Free build (<3 years consider a Duplo program)
● Ages 6-9yr Makerspace Junior
● 10 and up Mindstorms, and any of the above
● Budget considerations:
484-790 piece sets
$28.99 to $54.99
Price varies. $22.99
and up
Price $349.00 per set
Think
DONATIONS!

4. LEGO Junior
● Created by ALSC and LEGO
Systems
● Cost effective and versatile
● Online toolkit for librarians
● Research based
● Combines Making with LEGO
bricks and reading
● Step by step facilitation guide

5. How LEGO Jr. Makerspace Works
● For Kindergarten- 5th grade
● Max 20 children per 1 hour
program
● Grown-ups welcome
● Designed in two distinct
sessions
● Reading and Making
● Free build and Sharing

6. Materials To Use
● LEGO Bricks
● 2 -3 children per bin. Sharing is expected
● Additional Making materials: pipe
cleaners, rubber bands, pop sticks, straws
● Books
● A book to read aloud on Making
● Assorted LEGO, and Making books from
library collection
● LEGO challenge cards
● Index cards with idea starters for building

7. Program Format
● Welcome and Reading (10-15 minutes)
● Ask what kinds of things they like to “make”. Listen.
● Read a book about Making.
● Journey by Becker
● If I Built A Car by Van Dunsen
● Free Build, Make and Share (25-30 minutes)
● Have children work together or independently to create.
● Leave time at the end sharing.
● What did you make? How did you make it?
● Consider a Flickr stream with LEGO photos or other social media site.
● Clean Up (5 minutes)

8. Integrating Tech and Scope
● Integrate iPads
● Watch a short related video after your read-aloud.
● Moonshot by Brian Floca
● Watch the NASA video of the Apollo 11 launch and moon landing.
● Journey by Aaron Becker
● Watch the YouTube video of the author and his inspiration
● Extend the Scope of the program
● Speed builds
● Using just a handful of LEGOS, build for 5 minutes on a theme.
● Blind-Fold Build
● Challenge kids to recreate something while blindfolded.
● Lego board-game
● Use Pinterest and find a sample of the LEGO board game. Recreate it for your
library.

9. “Making” Fun For ALL
Look how we used LEGO to measure our reading this summer!

10. Make it YOURS - More Ideas
● Search
● Search and follow
librarians. Here is my LEGO
board https://www.pinterest.com/bookgirl521/lego/
● Blogs
● Try Homegrown Learners,
which has a fun LEGO
curriculum
● LEGO Quest Kids which has
great theme ideas
● LEGO.com Online