Games – Building together separately

Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3
In this variation of 'Build under a theme', we each first build something ourselves under the common theme and then we combine our models with a story.
The task

We each build something that falls under the common theme and then we combine the models. The purpose of the activity is to create a small room for negotiation and agreement via the game.

Games – Build under a Theme We create a motivating environment for the children. 

Procedure

Framework

Suggestion for introduction

We create a motivating environment for the children. 

For instance, we can say: “Today, we are building under a common theme e.g. a museum or a zoo. We start by building something by ourselves that fits within the theme. Then we place our things on our common plate and keep building together until the things fit together. We might come up with a cool story together for the models and the theme.”

Time

The activity can be adapted to the framework of one lesson and varied according to the time available and the children’s prerequisites.

Materials

We can use small Lego sets, wooden blocks, plus-plus, magnetic tiles, paper, or something else. We choose the materials that motivates to build and we can mix the material if we feel like it.

During the activity
Reflection Routines

During the play session, the children encounter challenges and successes, where we can stop and help spot what is difficult or what is going well. We can do this in several ways:

Reflection routines 

When we get the opportunity to reflect together with the children on what challenges or discoveries arise along the way, we can use one or more reflection routines. It could be, for example, a learning metaphor with a social strategy that we practice, an emoji that describes the feeling we have right now, or a rating of how well we think the building is going. In this way, a reflection routine can help to show and put into words the experiences that the children have during the play session.

Facilitating questions

We can ask facilitating questions to the children along the way, as they naturally arise in the building process. In this way, we facilitate the play session so that we continue the play and at the same time learn something from it. For example: 

  • I see that you have stopped building. I wonder how we can continue from here? 
  • I see that you have encountered a challenge. Should we try to solve it together? 
  • Try to notice what you are doing right now. Do you think this is a collaborative strategy? 
Show and Tell

Finally, in the play session, we give a Show and Tell of our construction, so that we have the opportunity to share our experiences, reflections, and feelings about the construction process.

First, we talk about our model and the process of building it. During the Show and Tell, we can use reflection routines and reflective questions to support the discoveries that have been made. For example:

  • What went well? 
  • What was difficult?
  • Is there anything that you want to do differently the next time we are building together?
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