Play/Work Observation Assignment:

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.

Attachments:

• 1497084923-215511_2_Cheng.Research-on-Childrens-play 1.pdf
• 1497084929-215511_2_Cheng.Research-on-Childrens-play.pdf