I’m so excited to tell you about this today – it’s StoryStarter, a new LEGO Education kit to get kids imagining, working together, creating stories, and publishing.
Like you, I’m always trying to find new ways to entice kids (mine included) to write. Which is why the LEGO® Education StoryStarter kits make me do a happy dance.
Of course, I wish I could give you each one to use with your students and children. Since I can’t do that, I can give one of you an entire set, software and curriculum valued at $234.95– scroll down for details. 🙂
Lego Education Kit
The Storystarter Kit contains sorting trays, baseplates, activity spinners, organizational stickers, gobs of specialty bricks and mini-figures plus a curriculum guide and StoryVisualizer software.
Let me explain the process for using the kit.
1. Play and Plan Your LEGO Story
The kids used lessons from the LEGO® Education StoryStarter Curriculum Pack for their stories. The curriculum contains 24 project-based activities, all correlated to Common Core Standards.
Together the girls worked to plan out the sequence of events. Then, they built each scene with the kit’s LEGO bricks.
2. Create and Shoot Photos of Scenes
Once each scene was ready, they used my handy-dandy photo backdrop hack –a 3-fold poster board clipped with white craft paper, and took pictures.
Here is a scene from a backyard circus story. Cute, right?
3. Write and Publish Using StoryVisualizer Software
Upload your photos into the program on the computer. Then, create your own comic book story. It’s as easy as drag, drop, and write!
Even easier, an iPad app is coming out soon! Then you’ll be able to do everything on the iPad.
Above is a screen shot of the StoryVisualizer program.
Ta-da!
Stories are written. Books are published. Writing fun happened!
What’s not to love?
Enter to Win StoryStarter Kit, Software & Curriculum
What do you think?
Would this LEGO Education kit inspire your kids to write like it did mine?
I received compensation for this review/article, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy here.
ALSO SEE:
Gifts for Kids to Inspire Writing
Welcome!
Download my "Can't Put 'Em Down" book lists for your kids ages 3 - 13.
Also, I'll send you a bonus "23 Reasons to Read" printable poster!
Liv says
What is the best way to let children have a format of the story the create if we do not have a printer readily available?
Melissa Taylor says
They can read it on the computer until you can access a printer.
jetstar says
My daughter would love this kit! I agree, it is so hard to get kids interested in writing. Thanks for the giveaway.
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cool math games says
I always love reading your blog…I’ve bookmarked it so that I can come back and read it again and again.
ACE Essays says
That’s a great way to present something like this writing stuff. Also this is an extended referenced essay writing task that requires you to demonstrate your ability to develop a line of positive way on a topic related to your interest
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You should read the marking criteria on the next page before writing your essay and make sure that you include in-text references and a bibliography.
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Eileen says
Hi, I was lucky enough to get 2 of these Story Starter sets funded through Donors Choose but now I’m trying to figure out the best way to structure their use in my classroom. I was unaware that they can with nothing and you have to purchase additional resources to work online or access lesson plans. Any tips?
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I want to thank you for posting such an educational blog. And also will wait for your next post.
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Eva Mills says
My little girl is presently simply getting in Lego’s and having a ton of fun.. he cherishes to peruse and compose so this would be an extraordinary expansion to his toy box. much obliged to you.
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Assignment Done says
Yeah, it is really very nice, yes, it’s very much inspire the kids and help them in writing this type of this together the kids on right place give an easy way to work freely. If someone students who want help with assignment writing to adjust himself like other kids.
Danielle Ogilvie Rodda says
This is on our curriculum wish list for next year. My son is a lego maniac and is highly motivated by lego. Hopefully this would help him launch his inner author. 🙂
Lisa says
Just stumbled into your blog through Pinterest… love your post about anxiety and now finding this! Fantastic!
Melissa Taylor says
thanks, Lisa!
ontiptoe says
So want one of these for my girls! Hardest part would be keeping the legos from migrating to their room. 🙂
Melissa Taylor says
agreed!
Andrea Gardner says
Oh wow! I have high hopes for this! I would desperately love to win it. My son has several learning disabilities (dyslexia, inability to track while reading, SPD and auditory processing disorder). He hates reading and writing and I am always looking for ways to make it more fun for him since he has to work so very hard. I am really excited about the potential this product holds. Thank you for writing such an amazing review. I really feel like I know what to expect from this product 🙂
Monica Caylor Leasure says
Neat….. my boys could really use this… boys are so hard to keep focused with learning but this is a fun hands on activity that they would love…
Laura says
What a great idea! My kids love Legos & this is such a great inspiration to tie them in with their writing.
pcain says
What an awesome idea! For any classroom of any age or level!! THIS is what I’m talkin’ ’bout!!! 😀
majowe says
I was at both workshops this past school year (lego & virtual story writing) and it’s amazing!! Even my special needs kids at school enjoyed the tactile activity:)
Tammi says
This would really help my son who has learning disabilities. He loves legos and he likes to make videos. Maybe this would help his writing. Crossing my fingers to win!!
Kristin Gail says
Even if I don’t win, I’m thankful for the idea and reasoning for a push. My son makes incredible stories with his Legos, and I document them with photos and always *talk* about making a book with the images …
GINAT11 says
I hope I win this. Sounds great for the kiddos in my class!
Storytime Mommy says
This is a wonderful giveaway! If I win I’m going to donate it to my daughter’s school. Then everyone there can use it!! 🙂
Joanna says
My son loves Lego, and telling stories, plus I can use this for my newcomer students.
Chris says
Wow, what a great give away!
NIkki Slaght says
My son is now just getting in Lego’s and having a blast.. he loves to read and write so this would be a great addition to his toy box,, thank you
Jill says
I homeschool at teach with LEGOs at my homeschool church. Would LOVE to have one to use at home at “school”.
Susan says
My daughter LOVES Legos, writing, and making her own movies. This would be perfect for her!!
Debbie says
This looks amazing! Not only writing but team work and computer skills! Would love this!
A Special Hug says
I can’t find the instructions on how to enter to win the kit! I would love to have one for my kids (8 and 4 years old) who love Lego and telling stories.
Jeni B says
This would be amazing! I have a reluctant writer, but surely this will motivate!
Megan Sheakoski says
I am beyond obsessed with this!!! I wish this had been around when I was teaching!!!!! OMG! In love!
Martha says
My son would love this. I think there is a good chance he would want to write with this Lego set.
Kara Mixon says
When I pinned the image through Rafflecopter the URL is wrong.
I love to hear the Lego stories my boys come up with. These would be such fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy says
I have 4 Lego Loving boys in my house that would love this!
Lea says
Great times are had daily with Legos at our house!
Paula J says
Awesome giveaway! I would love to win this!! 🙂
katdb70 says
I work with newcomers to the US. This would be an amazing way for them to create stories and share ideas in multiple languages! And everyone loves LEGO!!
Mom_In_High_Heels says
WOW! This is amazing. I have a reluctant (dyslexic) writer, but he loves Legos and makes up stories with them all the time. The added bonus of the software would be amazing.
Ezrismomna says
What an amazing giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!! Where is the email subscriber link supposed to take us? It seems to be linking back to itself… Thanks again!
Melissa Taylor says
scroll down to the bottom of this post and enter in the box at the bottom.
A Special Hug says
When we click on the link in “If you’re reading this as an email subscriber, click here to enter.” it takes us to the exact same page as before. I assume there is not a special section for subscribers.
Melissa Taylor says
right — the Rafflecopter section for the giveaway doesn’t show up in the email which is why you must enter online.
Carrie S. says
This is incredible!!! This looks like the perfect way to get my kids writing. Thank you for sharing!
molly says
My kids do this every day, minus the cool software program. Lego is my favorite for imagination, direction following, spatial learning, etc., etc. Not sure we need anymore Legos in the house but I’d love to see this in person…
Jeane Campbell says
What a great idea. Legos are already in the house.. kids working/ playing together..even better! ♥
Leslie says
My daughter would love this kit! I agree, it is so hard to get kids interested in writing. Thanks for the giveaway.
Laura says
I am always looking for new and creative ways to get my RTI students excited about writing. The boys are often times harder to really engage. This would be a fabulous way to get the boys and the girls excited about creating and writing!!! What a great idea!
Susanne says
We are a Lego family! It would be an awesome addition to our
Collection!
This_Kid_Reviews_Books_Erik says
This is AWESOME!!! Thank you for telling us about it!!! 😀
Christine Enberg says
Having trouble entering this on iphone. My children would love this they both love Lego’s but hate to write.
Melissa Enfinger says
I have read about this kit at Lego Education and want it so very badly. I have spoken with the administration at my son’s school and have been given permission to start a Lego Club that will meet after school for the upper elementary grades. I am thrilled about the possibilities – but just have not had the funds to put into action some of these great plans. My son did his very first stop-motion animation Lego movie this summer and I am hoping to help the kids in the club do a book and maybe even their own stop-motion movie.