Look closely
Six weeks of looking and puzzling with pictures, shapes and maps. Two short sessions a week, each with a method to try and practices at set levels.
Every week is done
That includes both return weeks. You can take any week again whenever you like.
How the course works
Pace
Two sessions a week of 15 to 20 minutes. Share the week’s practices between them. One or two sessions a week, never more than three. The days in between are for using the method in your day.
Three ways to take part
- Alone, at your own pace.
- With one other person, who reads the method aloud.
- In a group, with one person reading each step aloud.
Six steps each week
- Look back
- Warm-up
- The method
- Practice
- Use it this week
- Closing
The weeks
One week at a time, in order. You can take a week again whenever you like.
- 1
Find the details
Look in parts and find small things.
See the six steps
Look back
There is no sheet yet. Think of a picture or a view you know well. What do you remember of it?
Warm-up
Look at your hand for ten seconds. Name three small details you had not noticed.
The method
Look at a picture in parts, not all at once. Go from left to right and top to bottom, as you read a page, and name what you see in each part. When you search for one thing, picture its shape and color first.
Practice
- Find it in the paintingWith pictures
- Spot the differencesLevel 1
Use it this week
Look at one picture or view at home and find five details you had not seen before.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. Next week: Pieces into a whole.
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- 2
Pieces into a whole
Start with the edges and the big pieces.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at last week’s sheet. What did you try, and how did it go?
Warm-up
Picture a square cut into four triangles. Now put it back together in your mind.
The method
Start with what is easiest to place: the edges and corners of a jigsaw, the big triangles of a tangram. Then work inward. Turn a piece around before you decide it does not fit.
- Lesson: Jigsaw edges first 3 min read
- Lesson: Big triangles first 3 min read
Practice
- Jigsaw puzzles12 pieces, then 24
- TangramEasy
Use it this week
Do one puzzle at a table this week, on paper or with real pieces, starting with the edges.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. Next week: Turn and flip.
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- 3
Turn and flip
Tell a turned shape from a mirror image.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at last week’s sheet. What did you try, and how did it go?
Warm-up
Hold up your left hand, palm out. Picture how it looks in a mirror.
The method
A turned shape is the same shape at a new angle. A mirror image is flipped, like your left and right hands. To tell them apart, pick one corner or mark and follow where it goes as the shape turns.
- Lesson: Reflect across a line 3 min read
- Lesson: Turn a shape, don’t flip it 3 min read
Practice
- Mirror imagesLevel 1
- Mental rotationSame or mirror · Level 1
Use it this week
Notice mirror images this week: a reflection in a window, or writing seen through thin paper.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. Next week: Fold and count.
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- 4
Fold and count
Undo folds in order, and count cubes layer by layer.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at last week’s sheet. What did you try, and how did it go?
Warm-up
Fold a sheet of paper in half, then in half again. Guess how many layers there are before you look.
The method
For a folded sheet, undo the last fold first, and copy each hole across the fold line. For a stack of cubes, count one layer at a time from the top down, and remember the cubes you cannot see that hold the others up.
- Lesson: Unfold in reverse order 2 min read
- Lesson: Count cubes by layers 2 min read
Practice
- Paper folding puzzlesClassic · Easy
- Cube countingCount cubes · Level 1
Use it this week
Fold and cut a paper snowflake, and guess the pattern before you open it.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. Next week: Maps and viewpoints.
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- 5
Maps and viewpoints
Keep track of directions and of what others see.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at last week’s sheet. What did you try, and how did it go?
Warm-up
Without looking, point to your front door from where you sit.
The method
On a map, turn the map in your mind so it faces the way you are going. To see from another place, imagine standing there: what is in front, what is to the left. Say the directions aloud as you go.
- Lesson: Use your viewpoint 3 min read
- Lesson: Track your direction 3 min read
Practice
- Plan the errands routeEasy
- Perspective takingEasy
- Spatial orientationMixed · Easy
Use it this week
Draw a small map of your street or building, and mark three places on it.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. Next week: Look and remember.
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- 6
Look and remember
Look closely, then remember what you saw.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at last week’s sheet. What did you try, and how did it go?
Warm-up
Look at something on a wall for ten seconds. Close your eyes and describe it.
The method
Use what you practiced: look in parts, name what you see, and notice shapes and places. Then cover the picture and recall it part by part. Last, look again and check.
Practice
- Picture detailsLevel 1
- What changed?Level 1
Use it this week
Pick your two favorite practices from these six weeks, and keep them for the weeks ahead.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. In one month, come back for the first return week.
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Return weeks
One month and three months after your last week, come back for one short session with two of the practices, one step up.
The dates appear here when you finish the last week. They are kept on this device only, with no reminders.
- 1
One month on
Back to paintings and puzzles.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at your sheets from the course. Which methods do you still use?
Warm-up
Name the two practices you picked as favorites.
The method
Look in parts and name what you see. Then start a puzzle with the edges and work inward.
Practice
- Find it in the paintingWords only
- Jigsaw puzzles24 pieces
Use it this week
Do your two favorite practices once more this month.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. The last return week comes two months from now.
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- 2
Three months on
Back to differences and mirror images.
See the six steps
Look back
Look at your sheets from the course. Which methods do you still use?
Warm-up
Look around the room. What has changed since this morning?
The method
Compare two pictures part by part, in the same order each time. For a mirror image, follow one corner as the shape turns.
Practice
- Spot the differencesLevel 2
- Mirror imagesLevel 2
Use it this week
Keep the practices you like, and come back to any week when you want.
Closing
Say one thing you liked today. That is the whole course: keep what works for you.
What you type stays on this device. It is never sent.
Look closely · Week 1 of 6
Find the details
The method
Look at a picture in parts, not all at once. Go from left to right and top to bottom, as you read a page, and name what you see in each part. When you search for one thing, picture its shape and color first.
This week’s task
Look at one picture or view at home and find five details you had not seen before.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Week 2 of 6
Pieces into a whole
The method
Start with what is easiest to place: the edges and corners of a jigsaw, the big triangles of a tangram. Then work inward. Turn a piece around before you decide it does not fit.
This week’s task
Do one puzzle at a table this week, on paper or with real pieces, starting with the edges.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Week 3 of 6
Turn and flip
The method
A turned shape is the same shape at a new angle. A mirror image is flipped, like your left and right hands. To tell them apart, pick one corner or mark and follow where it goes as the shape turns.
This week’s task
Notice mirror images this week: a reflection in a window, or writing seen through thin paper.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Week 4 of 6
Fold and count
The method
For a folded sheet, undo the last fold first, and copy each hole across the fold line. For a stack of cubes, count one layer at a time from the top down, and remember the cubes you cannot see that hold the others up.
This week’s task
Fold and cut a paper snowflake, and guess the pattern before you open it.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Week 5 of 6
Maps and viewpoints
The method
On a map, turn the map in your mind so it faces the way you are going. To see from another place, imagine standing there: what is in front, what is to the left. Say the directions aloud as you go.
This week’s task
Draw a small map of your street or building, and mark three places on it.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Week 6 of 6
Look and remember
The method
Use what you practiced: look in parts, name what you see, and notice shapes and places. Then cover the picture and recall it part by part. Last, look again and check.
This week’s task
Pick your two favorite practices from these six weeks, and keep them for the weeks ahead.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Return week 1
One month on
The method
Look in parts and name what you see. Then start a puzzle with the edges and work inward.
This week’s task
Do your two favorite practices once more this month.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?
Look closely · Return week 2
Three months on
The method
Compare two pictures part by part, in the same order each time. For a mirror image, follow one corner as the shape turns.
This week’s task
Keep the practices you like, and come back to any week when you want.
Room to write
What did you try, and how did it go?