In the West Wing, one of our strategies to build a strong sense of community is to provide experiences that initiate collaborative, small group work. One of the ways we are doing this is through a weaving we call The Thread Game. The children explain how it is played:
MJ: The needle!
Mila: First, put the needle in the hole.
Isla: You pass it to each friend. They can see it and grab it.
Archer: And then they pull it out.
Isla: Then you pass it to the other people again.
MJ: The teacher cuts the thread. And then we do more threads!
This is not a space where a child can work alone or even parallel (alongside, but not engaged) with a peer. If they want to play, the game necessitates that they must begin by finding a partner. They must be present and attentive during the game. It requires looking at their partner and reading their face and body language for cues to the giving and receiving of the needle attached to the thread. -Studio Teacher Amy