PL 3.02Watching Another Child's Work
The child learns to ask "May I watch?", accept the answer, and watch from beside the mat with hands still.
Presentation
Search videos (opens YouTube in a new tab)- 1
Gather a small group. Ask an adult or older child to sit at a mat building the Pink Tower.
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Say: 'I would like to see what Sam is doing. Watch what I do.'
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Walk to the edge of the mat, stop, and ask quietly: 'May I watch?'
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The partner says "Yes." Kneel or stand beside the mat, not on it, and fold your hands behind your back or in your lap.
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Watch for a short time without speaking. When you are done, stand and say quietly: "Thank you."
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Show the other answer: ask again; the partner says "No, thank you." Answer "All right" and walk away.
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Ask the children where your hands were and where you stood. Invite children to take turns asking and watching.
What catches the child’s eye
- Hands folded behind the back
- The edge of the mat as the place to stop
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Watch a lesson the guide is giving to another child
- An older child shows a younger one how to watch
- Ask to work together after watching (see Inviting a Friend to Work)
Control of error
The working child's answer; a child who reaches in or steps on the mat sees the worker stop.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Asks before watching
- Watches with hands still, off the mat
- Walks away calmly after a "no"
Guide note
This is the presented lesson behind the classroom norm "Observing another child's work" (see Norms and routines). Give it in the first weeks of the year, before the room fills with mats.