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I have loved LEGO® bricks ever since I was a kid. I remember having a whole pool table filled with all sorts of buildings. My children have enjoyed LEGO® building as well. This summer we had the opportunity to try one of LEGO Education’s kits–the Homeschool Simple Machines Kit.
My 11 yr. old daughter begged me to let her do this project. It’s been awhile since she has begged me to do a school-related project. 
I figured this would be a great introduction to simple machines.
LEGO Education Simple Machines
This is the first LEGO® educational kit we’ve owned. The homeschool simple machines kit features 16 learning activities geared for elementary children (7+). It comes with a scripted teachers manual, visual step-out booklets, bricks to complete the projects and a cd to print related worksheets. Students are introduced to basic physical science concepts such as gears, pulleys, levers, and wheels and axles through observation, reasoning, prediction, and critical thinking.
Our first lesson covered gears. We learned that gears had names (who knew?), and how different gear sizes and parts affect rotation speed and direction. The lesson was super easy to present. My daughter was able to do the buildings without my help just by using the booklet. I just made sure she took time to think about what was happening as she built the project.
She is very excited to complete the whole series. I love that she is learning science concepts while “playing” with bricks. This is the best type of learning— especially for my kinesthetic learner.
I’m thrilled to be a LEGO® Education Blogger and am partnering with LEGO Education to help bring attention to the many wonderful products that LEGO Education offers for homeschoolers and educators. All opinions are entirely my own.
Enter code MMAugust2013 at checkout for 10% off. Good until 8/31/2013.
You can read what my fellow bloggers thought about Simple Machines too!
Homegrown Learners – LEGO Simple Machines
Homeschool Creations – Simple Machines from LEGO Education
Milk and Cookies – Creating Simple Machines
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