Cool Creations in 35 Pieces by Sean Kenney

Reviewed by Lori
Cool Creations in 35 Pieces
Title: Cool Creations in 35 Pieces

Author: Sean Kenney

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 74881

Description: Offers instructions for creating seventy-five models using just thirty-five common LEGO bricks, including robots, spacecraft, household objects, goofy faces, and aliens.
Curriculum Links: 
  • Science: Materials and Structures
  • Art: Design and Construction
  • Math: Shapes and Spatial Perception
  • Inquiry-Based Learning
  • Reading: Non-Fiction
  • Writing: Procedural

Lori's Notes: 
This is a highly visual non-fiction text that will assist even the youngest students in creating their own lego projects.  The book runs the gamut of projects from robots to faces, buildings to furniture, vehicles to spacecraft, and animals to aliens! The book has very few words - other than giving names to the creations.  Each creation is built using step-by-step visual instructions with the various lego pieces.  Each creation uses only the 35 pieces listed just after the table of contents.  Some are very simple others a little more challenging.  A great book for any lego builder!

Recommended Audience: Kindergarten and up!  (My 12-year-old spied the book and has now absconded off with it, so the appeal for this book is high!)
  • Because all instructions are visual a good title for young readers and ELL.
  • Any Lego and construction lovers
  • A great science title to talk about materials and structures

Inquiries and Activities: 
  • Build some of the creations from the book.  Then create some new ones of your own.
  • Write a simple set of directions to build your creation.  Use photos to show how the pieces go together and in what order.
  • Break into groups to create a lego diorama.  Will your diorama be in space with ships and aliens?  Will it be in the future with robots and funky furniture?  Or will it be a natural world with plants and animals?
  • Can you build anything with only 5 pieces?  What about 50 pieces or 100?
  • Build a robot with your pieces.  What is its name?  Write a story or poem about your robot!




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