Building With Numbers

Overview

Curriculum Learning Area: Mathematics and Statistics
Strand: Number and Algebra
Sub-strand: Number Knowledge
Curriculum Level: Level 1 – New Zealand Curriculum
Year Group: Year 1
Lesson Duration: 15 minutes
Class Size: 15 students
Primary Resource: LEGO bricks

Big Idea: Numbers can represent things we count and compare in our world. By using hands-on materials like LEGO, students can explore numbers, patterns, and mathematical relationships in meaningful, playful ways.

Significant Learning Outcome:
Students will represent numbers up to 10 using physical LEGO blocks and begin to recognise groups and number patterns through structured play.

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Learning Intentions

• I am learning to count and represent numbers up to 10 using LEGO.
• I am learning to recognise small number patterns (e.g., 2 + 2, 3 + 1).
• I am learning to compare which numbers are bigger or smaller.

Success Criteria

• I can build LEGO towers to match a number I see or hear.
• I can count and show how many blocks are in a tower.
• I can explain which tower has more or fewer blocks.

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Lesson Breakdown (15 minutes)

🟡 1. Karakia and Welcome (1 minute)

Gather ākonga on the mat. Begin with a short morning karakia or mindfulness greeting to focus the class and acknowledge the learning ahead.

Ako tip: Use a soft chime or a talking stone to set the intention of calm and focus.

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🟠 2. Whole-Class Introduction (3 minutes)

Teacher-led kōrero with demonstration:

1. Show a container filled with LEGO of different colours and sizes.
2. Say, “This LEGO block represents the number ___” and count the knobs on top aloud.
3. Build a tower of 4 blocks. Ask the class:
   • “How many blocks can you see?” (Encourage group counting.)
   • “Can anyone count the knobs?”
   • “Let’s count together!”

Repeat with another tower of a different number. Ensure clear emphasis on counting aloud and pointing to each block.

Ask prompting questions:
“Which tower is taller? Why do you think that is?”
“What happens if I add one more block?”

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🔵 3. Pair Activity: Build the Number (6 minutes)

Group into pairs (there will be 7 pairs + 1 group of 3).

Instructions: Give each pair a small container with 10 LEGO blocks of mixed sizes and colours. Place number cards 1–10 face down in the centre.

1. One child flips a number card (e.g., 6).
2. The pair work together to build a tower with that number of blocks.
3. When finished, they count aloud how many blocks were used.
4. Extension questions for early finishers:
   • Can you build that number using two smaller towers?
   • Can you build the same tower with a pattern (e.g., alternating colours)?

Ako tip: Support ākonga with number formation or visual aids. Encourage use of te reo Māori numbers as an extension.

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🔴 4. Sharing and Reflection (4 minutes)

Invite 3–4 students to bring their towers to the front.

• Encourage them to explain what they built:
  • “I built the number __ using ___ blocks.”
  • “My tower is tall because ___.”
  • “I made it with a pattern of blue and yellow.”

Close with reflective questions for the class:

• “What made it easy or tricky to build your number?”
• “Did anyone find a surprise when counting?”
• “How many different ways could we make 5 blocks?”

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Differentiation Options

• Support: Use visual number charts, count-along songs, or allow matching towers to pre-prepared examples.
• Challenge: Encourage simple number bonds (e.g., showing 5 as 2 + 3), or use uneven block sizes to explore volume visually.

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Integration & Localisation

Mātauranga Māori Integration:

• Use te reo Māori numbers orally throughout the session (e.g., tahi, rua, toru…).
• Connect with the whakataukī: “Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.” (With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.)
  – Emphasise collaboration as pairs combine their ideas and skills.

Links to Local Curriculum:
Encourages exploration, curiosity, and creativity consistent with the goals of many kura and schools building localised, play-based learning environments.

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Next Steps

• Introduce number stories using LEGO (e.g., “3 blocks joined 2 blocks = 5 blocks”).
• Create a wall display of the tallest LEGO towers linked to numbers.
• Observe individual number knowledge for grouping suitable support in future sessions.

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Teacher Notes

Assessment through Observation:
During paired activity and sharing:

• Is the student confidently counting?
• Can the student represent a number with the correct amount of blocks?
• Are they beginning to use vocabulary such as “more”, “less”, “same”?

Reflection Suggestion:
Have students draw their tower at a later time and label it with the number they built to reinforce the connection between number and quantity.