Copycat Architects

The teacher secretly builds a small figure with colored blocks and, in pairs, children run to the supply pile for the pieces to copy it in their hoop. They work on perceiving colors, positions and shapes, on visual memory, and on moving back and forth.

How to play

1. Each pair has a hoop on the floor, their building lot; the supply pile with all the blocks is in the middle (1 min).
2. Next to the pile the teacher builds a three-block model (say, red on the bottom, blue on top and yellow beside it) and shows everyone (1 min).
3. In pairs, children walk to the pile for one block at a time, carry it to their hoop and place it like the model, which they can go look at as often as they like (4 min).
4. Check it: the teacher visits the hoops and celebrates each copy; then change to a four- or five-block model (4 min).
5. Now flip it: one pair invents a model and everyone else copies it (3 min).
6. Return the blocks to the pile sorted by color (1 min).

Rules

• One block at a time: go, grab it and come back.
• You can go look at the model, but not touch it.
• Partners decide together where each block goes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair is the pair's builder and the partner fetches the blocks.
• Visual impairment: use blocks with different shapes and textures and a model to explore by touch.
• Autism: place a photo card of the model next to the hoop so they don't have to rely on memory.

Learning goals

• Recognize and reproduce colors and positions (on top, under, beside).
• Use visual memory in play.
• Reach agreement with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic building blocks: 70
• Hoops: 13

Teacher tip

Name positions as you build the model (“blue on top of red”) so they pick up spatial vocabulary. It's not a race: if a pair finishes early, have them invent another model.

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