Read the Wing Article: Play is Not the Work of the Child and the Rhedding-Jones Article: Questioning Play and Work, Early Childhood, and Pedagogy (both available under Course Documents on Blackboard).Obtain permission and observe a small group of children at any learning center in a preschool, kindergarten or first grade classroom.Write an observation report (minimum 5 pages, not to exceed 10 pages) that summarizes the observation and contains the following components:

· Identifying Information – school, date, grade level, approximate ages of children served

· Purpose of Observation

· Description of learning center/area including all activities in which children are engaged

· Student Interview – ask students participating in the activity/area observed if they view what they are doing as work or play.Be certain to ask additional follow up questions to clarify the children’s explanations as necessary and include quotes.

· Teacher Interview – ask the teacher about the learning center/area and its goals/objectives and whether s/he perceives the activities/experiences in that center as work or play.Be certain to ask follow up questions to clarify the teacher’s explanations as necessary and include quotes.

· Summary Interpretation of the student and teacher interviews, relating them to the readings by Wing and Rhedding-Jones.

· Include your raw data with your observation report.

· Please use students’ initials (e.g., LR, not Leigh Rohde) when referencing a child in the observation.

Meets NH Department of Education standards: 610.02(h); 610.03(a); 610.03(b); 612.03(b)(1)(a); 612.03(b)(5)(b)(1)