Grade 2 Explores Denver, One LEGO Brick at a Time

The program began with a large, empty floor map of Denver. Working together, students placed wooden models of real historic buildings onto the map, learning about early residents and the businesses that helped shape the city. Once the historic city was complete, students reflected on how cities grow and change over time—what drives development, how people decide what to preserve, and how city planning involves careful decision-making.

Next, students turned their attention to the present. Using LEGO bricks, they designed and built modern structures to add to the city, imagining how Denver might continue to evolve.

To wrap up, classes explored the concept of historic preservation, learning what qualifies a building as a landmark and why some buildings are protected. Some groups even participated in a vote to decide whether to replace a historic structure with one of their new LEGO creations—a thoughtful way to consider the balance between honoring history and making room for the future.

"LEGO City: Denver" is just one part of Grade 2’s broader exploration of the city. Students have also visited the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, City Park Lake, and the Molly Brown House. That visit served as an introduction to next month’s Bio Expo, where students will present on a historical changemaker.

Way to go, Grade 2 historians!