Everything is Awesome… and Educational: Why The Lego Movie Belongs in the Classroom

The Lego Movie isn’t just a brick-tacular romp; it’s a masterclass in creative merging, blending traditional animation with comic book aesthetics to weave a multigenerational story that brims with heart and humor. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller deserve a medal for their audacious vision, one that celebrates childhood wonder while tapping into adult nostalgia.

Forget rigid lines between mediums. The Lego Movie is a vibrant canvas where stop-motion animation dances with digital fluidity, creating a world that feels tangible and fantastical all at once. The pixelated textures and exaggerated features evoke classic comic book heroes, while the film’s physical humor and slapstick comedy tap into the timeless appeal of cartoons. This masterful merging isn’t just stylistic; it’s thematic. The film’s story of an ordinary construction worker discovering his inner “Special” resonates with both kids and adults who’ve grappled with self-doubt and the pressures of conformity.

The humor, too, is a multilayered masterpiece. Kids erupt in giggles at the slapstick antics and potty jokes, while adults chuckle at the witty pop culture references and meta-humor that slyly mocks itself. This isn’t just “kids’ movie” humor; it’s a carefully crafted tapestry that tickles funny bones across generations.

But this creative merging goes beyond aesthetics and jokes. The Lego Movie’s narrative itself bridges the gap between childhood and adulthood. Parents chuckle at the familiar “Stepford Wives” parody in Bricksburg, while kids cheer on Emmet’s journey of self-discovery. The film explores themes of conformity and the power of imagination, resonating with viewers of all ages who’ve felt the urge to break free and build their own unique world.

This multilayered approach isn’t just clever; it’s essential. It creates a shared experience, a common ground where parents and children can laugh together, analyze together, and ultimately learn together. The Lego Movie becomes a conversation starter, a bridge across the generation gap built on bricks of creativity and shared laughter.

So, next time you pop in that “Everything is Awesome” earworm, remember, The Lego Movie is more than just a box of plastic bricks come to life. It’s a testament to the power of creative merging, a story that builds bridges across generations and reminds us all that, sometimes, the most awesome things are born when we break the mold and let our imaginations run wild.

And who knows, maybe watching Emmet’s bricktastic journey might just inspire the next generation of creative minds to merge their own passions, build their own stories, and prove that, indeed, everything really can be awesome.

Here’s why The Lego Movie deserves a place on your lesson plan, and how you can use it to spark learning in your classroom:

Building Blocks of Learning:

• Embracing Creativity: The movie champions the importance of imagination and independent thinking, challenging the “instructions-only” approach. Use it to inspire students to approach projects with their own unique ideas and encourage them to embrace the joy of building something new.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: The ragtag heroes of the film demonstrate the power of collaboration and valuing individual strengths. Use the movie to spark discussions about teamwork, conflict resolution, and appreciating diverse perspectives.
• Breaking the Mold: The film’s message of defying expectations and questioning authority resonates with students of all ages. Use it to inspire critical thinking, encourage students to ask questions, and challenge the status quo in a safe and creative environment.

Bricks and Mortar for Your Curriculum:

• Language Arts: Analyze the film’s clever dialogue and visual storytelling. Discuss character development, symbolism, and the film’s themes. Encourage creative writing through story continuations or character backstories.
• STEM: The movie’s world of construction and engineering offers endless possibilities. Design challenges based on the film’s locations and characters. Explore stop-motion animation using Lego bricks and tablets.
• Social Studies & Ethics: Discuss the film’s themes of conformity vs. individuality and the importance of community. Analyze the “Master Builder” as a metaphor for authority and power structures.

Resources for Building a Better Classroom:

• The Lego Movie Education Guide: https://www.intofilm.org/resources/188
• Challenge Success: What Teachers and Parents Can Learn from The Lego Movie: https://smartkids101.com/blog/lego-movie-lessons/
• Edutopia: The Lego Movie: Building Learning and Creativity: https://blog.teaching.com.au/10-ways-lego-education-will-transform-your-stem-lessons/

Remember, the key is to let the movie spark your own creativity and adapt it to your specific curriculum and students’ interests. So, grab your bricks, put on “Everything is Awesome,” and get ready to build a classroom filled with learning, laughter, and a whole lot of imagination!

Bonus Tip: For younger students, consider using The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, which explores themes of female empowerment and environmentalism.

Let’s make our classrooms as awesome as the Lego Movie itself!

To see other movie and book recommendations and a list of resources, read more here.