Using Legos to introduce GDP

How It's Made video - Legos...fascinating video

For years, I have used Play-Doh to introduce GDP - gross domestic product.  Last year, I wanted to try something different.  After much thought, I decided to create a GDP introductory activity where the students create homes using Legos.  My girls love playing with Legos...I mean, who doesn't, right?  And we have a ca-jillion Legos at home!  

For this activity, the students are divided into groups - two builders and one accountant.  When the students get ready to build their homes, the accountant comes to the front of the room and "purchases" different blocks/characters/etc. for their home.  I have price broken down based on color and speciality.  Once the home is built, a final cost is calculated.  When time is called, each group presents their home with the final value, which I write on the board.  After all groups present their homes, I add up the value of all new homes created.  This is the GDP for "Walker-country" in the year _____. (you get the point)

This activity is a fun-filled activity for the students that introduces a very important concept to the American economy.  It is one that I can also easily refer back to if needed (intermediate goods versus final product).

Not only is this activity great for the classroom, with some modifications, I believe you can make it adaptable for distance learning.  If students do not have Legos at home, have them construct a home on paper.  Considering many of us will be doing distance learning this fall, I am sure you can think of a way to modify this activity.

My goal this year is to create more Lego lesson plans so stay tuned...

Lego GDP instruction student handout (during activity)

Student reflection handout (post-activity)