Kindergarten: Building Bridges and Connections
Grade: Kindergarten
Duration: 50 minutes
Topic: Engineering strong and durable structures
Overview
In this lesson, students will explore building bridges using basic materials. They will learn the importance of strong foundations, relating the activity to building strong relationships and following God’s path.
Objective
- To introduce basic engineering concepts by building simple bridges.
- To develop problem-solving and creativity in building.
- To foster an understanding of relationships and connecting with others, just like building bridges.
Materials
Lesson Steps
1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin with a prayer to ask God for wisdom and guidance in our learning and relationships.
Suggested Prayer:
“Dear God, help us build strong relationships with others, just as we learn to build strong bridges today. Amen.”
2. Introduction to Bridges (10 minutes)
- Discussion: Show pictures of different bridges. Ask students what bridges are used for and why they are important.
- Connection to Faith: Explain that just like bridges connect places, God connects us to Him and to each other.
3. Building Bridges with Legos (10 minutes)
- Activity: Guide students in building simple bridges with Lego blocks. Emphasize the importance of balance and strength.
4. Testing the Bridges (10 minutes)
- Activity: After building, test the bridges by placing small weights or toys on them. Discuss which designs held the most weight and why.
- Catholic Integration: Relate this to building strong relationships with others and how our actions can help or hurt those connections.
5. Drawing Reflection (10 minutes)
- Activity: Ask students to draw a picture of a bridge they built and to think about how they can be a “bridge” in helping others.
- Sharing: Allow students to share their drawings and reflect on how they can help others by building connections.
Catholic Integration
- Building Strong Relationships: Discuss how, just as bridges connect places, we are called to build strong relationships with others by helping, caring, and being kind.
- Connection to Jesus: Relate building strong bridges to following Jesus’ teachings, as He is the ultimate “bridge” between us and God.
Assessment
- Bridge Building: Assess how well students built their bridges using the materials.
- Reflection Drawings: Evaluate students’ understanding of the connection between bridges and building strong relationships.
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
End the lesson by thanking God for the connections we have with others.
Suggested Prayer:
“Thank you, God, for the people in our lives. Help us build strong friendships and relationships, just like we build strong bridges. Amen.”
For Parents
Building Bridges and Connections
End of Lesson Plan