Arrow and Mabel are “dressed to the nines” with sequined scarves and handbags over their shoulders.
Mabel: We are going out.
Arrow: We are going to the show.
Teacher Jessica: What show are you going to see?
Arrow: The Turtle Show. Grab chairs, everybody!
Greyson, Leo K., Mabel, and Arrow grab chairs and all four pull the chairs over to the turtle aquarium for The Turtle Show. They line the chairs up along the cubbies, sitting side by side, observing Cody and Squirt.
They repeat this scenario a few times, each time carrying the chairs and handbags back and forth between the House Area and the turtle aquarium. Leo K. creates paper tickets for the event, making the show feel much more official.
Agnes joins the House Area from the Front Yard on the third Turtle Show viewing. She observes from the loft and doesn’t approach the other children.
On the fifth Turtle Show viewing, Agnes steps forward with a sequined cape. She announces herself: “I’m Bat Agnes!” She moves her body in between the audience and the turtle tank.
Leo K.: But you are blocking the show!
Teacher Jessica: Leo, I think Agnes wants to be a part of the show. Would you like her to perform before or after The Turtle Show?
The group confers. “After,” Leo responds.
They watch the turtles for approximately 10 seconds and Leo announces it’s over. They turn to Agnes who steps forward to perform her dance. (password is: venice1987)
She receives generous applause from her audience.
In the first few weeks of preschool, one of the biggest challenges is learning strategies for entering play and making connections to peers. It’s tempting as a teacher to encourage a group of children to find or create a role for a child joining the space and to downplay the importance or rush the time a child spends as an onlooker to play. By observing as an onlooker, Agnes noticed the interest of the others in playing the audience and even recognized that their choice of entertainment included animals. She didn’t ask permission to join the game, which would have opened her up to the risk of them saying ‘no.’ Instead, she tactfully found an opening to introduce the others to “Bat Agnes” who showed dancing and social/emotional skills.- Teacher Jessica