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Engaging Math with LEGO – Curriculum Map (Grades 3-4)

Play-Based Math Curriculum

Teacher's Guide — International Enrichment Edition • Grades 3–4

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This page outlines the scope and sequence for Grades 3–4. Individual Brickit lessons will be provided separately.

🧭 Teaching Philosophy

“Engaging Math with Spare LEGO Bricks” for Grades 3–4 bridges the transition from concrete exploration to abstract reasoning. Students use LEGO models to represent, test, and explain mathematical ideas — turning hands-on activity into visible thinking.

Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract

LEGO connects ideas to tangible models, supporting the CPA progression.

Collaborative Reasoning

Students verbalize strategies, justify solutions, and learn from peers.

Creative Math

Every model becomes a proof, not just an answer.

Growth Mindset

Experimentation and mistakes are integral to the learning process.

Teacher tip: Begin each topic with a short hands-on task before moving to representation and symbols.

📚 Course Overview

Course Type:Supplementary hands-on enrichment
Duration:35–40 lessons (1 per week)
Target Age:8–10 years (Grades 3–4)
Lesson Length:45–50 minutes
Group Size:2–4 students per team
Materials Needed:400–600 LEGO bricks per team, Brickit App for Schools, baseplates, rulers, grid paper, tablets or cameras
Differentiation:Within each topic, Level A (basic) supports Grade 3; Level B (advanced) extends to Grade 4

🎯 Curriculum Units

1

Multiplication & Arrays

Focus: Repeated addition, equal groups, arrays

Students represent multiplication using visual models, exploring patterns and the commutative property.

6 Lessons:
  1. Equal Groups and Repeated Addition
  2. Building Arrays (2×–10×)
  3. Skip Counting Towers
  4. Commutative Property
  5. Multiplication Stories
  6. LEGO Array Challenge

Teacher Comment: Connect arrays to the future concept of area (Unit 6).

Differentiation: Level A — up to 5×5; Level B — larger arrays and decomposition strategies.

2

Division & Sharing

Focus: Equal sharing, remainders, inverse operations

Students divide models evenly and explore relationships between multiplication and division.

5 Lessons:
  1. Sharing Equally
  2. Division as Repeated Subtraction
  3. Fact Families
  4. Remainders in Real Life
  5. LEGO Bakery Challenge

Teacher Comment: Use realistic sharing contexts (people, tables, plates) to introduce remainders.

Differentiation: Level A — division without remainders; Level B — interpreting remainders in word problems.

3

Fractions & Decimals

Focus: Equivalent fractions, comparison, tenths and hundredths

Students connect equal parts to real models, exploring fraction equivalence and visual decimal representations.

6 Lessons:
  1. Equivalent Fractions
  2. Comparing Fractions
  3. Mixed Numbers with LEGO
  4. Decimals as Fractions of a Whole
  5. Tenths and Hundredths
  6. Fair Share Café Challenge

Teacher Comment: Teach fractions through visible LEGO plates before introducing decimal notation.

Differentiation: Level A — halves, thirds, quarters; Level B — 2/3 vs 3/5, linking to 0.3 = 3/10.

4

Place Value & Large Numbers

Focus: Thousands, expanded form, rounding

Students model 3- and 4-digit numbers, showing structure through stacks of 10, 100, and 1000.

5 Lessons:
  1. Base-10 Builds (Ones, Tens, Hundreds)
  2. Building Thousands
  3. Expanded Form Models
  4. Rounding Towers
  5. Comparing Large Numbers

Teacher Comment: Build “towers of tens” before symbolic work.

Differentiation: Level A — up to 1,000; Level B — up to 10,000, rounding to tens, hundreds, thousands.

5

Data, Graphs & Logical Thinking

Focus: Data collection, bar graphs, interpretation, logical reasoning

Students collect data from their builds and organize it visually to identify patterns.

4 Lessons:
  1. Sorting and Counting LEGO Types
  2. Building Bar Graphs
  3. Reading and Interpreting Data
  4. Logic Puzzle Challenge

Teacher Comment: Introduce this unit after place value to connect numerical reasoning and data display.

Differentiation: Level A — simple bar charts; Level B — comparing sets, median/mode extension.

6

Area & Perimeter

Focus: Measurement, units, area of rectangles

Students measure builds in studs, discover area as repeated addition, and calculate L×W.

5 Lessons:
  1. Measuring in Studs
  2. Perimeter Models
  3. Building Area (Length × Width)
  4. Comparing Areas
  5. Design Your LEGO Park Challenge

Teacher Comment: Reinforce connection between arrays and the area formula.

Differentiation: Level A — small rectangles; Level B — composite shapes and perimeter puzzles.

7

Geometry: Shapes, Angles & Symmetry

Focus: 2D/3D shapes, angles, rotation, symmetry

Students identify, build, and describe shapes using correct mathematical language.

5 Lessons:
  1. Building 2D Shapes
  2. Types of Angles
  3. Lines of Symmetry
  4. Rotational Patterns
  5. The LEGO Architecture Challenge

Teacher Comment: Emphasize geometry vocabulary (vertex, edge, ray, line, right/acute/obtuse).

Differentiation: Level A — identifying properties; Level B — constructing with constraints and rotations.

🌍 Curriculum Alignment

Alignment to major international frameworks ensures portability across diverse educational contexts.

Concept Area Common Core (US) Cambridge Primary IB PYP Concept
Multiplication & Division 3.OA.A–3.OA.D N3.1–N3.5 “Operations show repeated relationships”
Fractions & Decimals 3.NF.A–4.NF.C N4.1–N4.5 “Parts and wholes describe proportion”
Place Value & Number Sense 3.NBT.A–4.NBT.A N3.2–N4.2 “Number systems build structure”
Measurement & Area 3.MD.A–3.MD.C M3.1–M4.3 “Measurement connects math to real world”
Geometry & Symmetry 3.G.A–4.G.A G3.1–G4.3 “Shapes represent space and pattern”
Data & Reasoning 3.MD.B–4.MD.B H3.1–H4.2 “Data helps us interpret the world”

Note: Decimals serve as Grade 4 extension; fractions remain core for both grades.

🧠 Skills Progression Map

This map shows how mathematical skills develop progressively across the seven units.

Skill Domain Unit Focus Observable Outcomes
Multiplication & Division Units 1–2 Builds and interprets arrays; connects to repeated addition
Fractions & Decimals Unit 3 Compares and models equivalence; links fractions to decimals
Place Value Unit 4 Builds and reads numbers ≤ 10,000; rounds accurately
Measurement & Area Unit 6 Measures in studs; calculates area/perimeter
Geometry Unit 7 Identifies angles and symmetry in 2D/3D models
Data Representation Unit 5 Collects, organizes, and interprets data
Reasoning & Communication All Units Explains strategies; uses precise math vocabulary
Collaboration & Reflection All Units Works in teams; gives constructive feedback

Teacher tip: Revisit earlier models when introducing new ideas to strengthen conceptual connections.

🧰 Teacher Toolkit

Materials Checklist

  • LEGO bricks (400–600 per team)
  • Brickit App for Schools
  • Baseplates, rulers, grid paper
  • Markers, sticky notes
  • Tablets or cameras for photo portfolios

Group Setup

  • 4–6 teams of 2–4 students
  • Rotate roles weekly: Builder – Recorder – Presenter – Checker
  • Arrange tables for easy scanning and collaboration

Assessment Tools

  • Observation checklists (participation, accuracy, reasoning)
  • Peer feedback cards (“2 stars + 1 wish”)
  • Student journals and reflection prompts
  • Photo portfolios of builds with student comments

Mini Rubric for Open Tasks (4‑Point)

  • 4 – Model correct, reasoning clear, vocabulary precise
  • 3 – Model correct, reasoning partial
  • 2 – Idea present, model incomplete
  • 1 – Needs teacher support

Differentiation Strategies

  • Two levels (A/B) within each lesson
  • Scaffolded builds and visual aids
  • Extensions: limited resources, optimizing design, strategy comparison
See also: Digital & Data Pack • Green Education Kit