Dr. Jean Feldman
This activity (excerpt) is taken from:
Transition Time: Let’s Do Something Different!
When?
- Use this language experience activity at circle time or at the end of the day.
Why?
- The connection between written and spoken language is reinforced by this activity, as is children’s self-esteem.
How?
- When the children are sitting down, take the marker and write, "Mystery Person" at the top of the chart.
- Write and draw clues about a special person in the class.
- The children have to play detective to discover who the Mystery Person is.
- Ask the children to look at you.
- Write the following clue: My eyes are (color).
- Use pictures and the appropriate color markers to illustrate the clues. For example, use blue to draw blue eyes, brown to draw brown hair, etc.
- Ask the children to "read" the clue.
- Point to each word.
- Next, write the second clue. My hair is (color).
- Again, read the clue together.
- Continue writing and reading clues about the Mystery Person’s favorite food, songs, stories, games, pets, family, etc.
- Tell the children when they think they know who it is to smile.
- At the bottom of the chart write, "Who am I?"
- Read over the entire chart, asking the Mystery Person to stand up at the end. (Make the clues fairly obvious and look directly at that person.)
- The Mystery Person can draw her picture at the bottom of the page and take it home.
Adaptation
- Use a class attendance list and mark off each child when she is the Mystery Person so you don’t leave anyone out!
This activity (excerpt) is taken from:
Transition Time: Let’s Do Something Different!
by Jean Feldman, Ph.D.,
Page 244. ISBN: 087659173X
© 1995 Gryphon House, Inc