This contribution is a creative, inclusive way to do one of three things: introduce members of a community to each other, deepen a community’s understanding of itself and its members, or exploring what a faith community truly is or could be. This activity works well for people of all ages and in a plethora of communities, but seems to fit especially well for young people…and even better for communities that have a variety of ages, including young people.
The best part of this activity is the creative element. It allows the participants to envision and imagine the present and future of their community, while literally allowing them to create something with their hands. Legos are both simple and different enough to lead to final results that are very diverse, yet able to be discussed in harmony.
This activity is clearly laid out in lesson-plan format, and the video provides an excellent example and nice motivation for the activity.
This activity clearly fits with many of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences, but hits on many of Vella’s twelve principles, as well. For example, the lesson plan lifts up safety (through universalizing the activity and reminding the group there is no “right” answer), fosters sounds relationships (out of the teamwork of building and sharing), emphasizes praxis (through doing and making the model, then discussing it), focuses on learning and exploring the learning community as its own subject, supports learning with ideas, feelings, and actions (each is incorporated into the exploration, creation and discussion), and utilizes teamwork and engagement (the learners have control and investment in the activity).
After reading this lesson plan and watching the video, I cannot help but be moved to try out this activity with my family and with members of my faith community.