Title – The Detailed Detective

By – Erin E.

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Secondary Subjects – Other

Grade Level – Grades 3-6

Materials:

Index cards with varying degrees of descriptive phrases on each card – 4 cards describing each item.

Objectives:

• To increase expressive/written language skills
  
• To expand vocabulary skills
  
• To stay on-topic and understand relevant clues
  
• To learn the difference between general vs. specific
  
• To be more specific when listening to clues/information
  
• To expand listening/reading comprehension skills
  
• To foster appropriate “game-playing” skills

Procedure:

Students are all presented with the first index card (out of series of 4) that has a simple fact on it. Student then write down their guess about what the object is, based on the clue given. They are then presented with index card number two, which has more specific information on it. They are required to write down their revised answer. The same is done for index card number three and index card number four. Each student holds up their index card with their answer written on the back after each card is presented to see if all the students got the same answer. As the details become more specific, the students’ responses should (by card number 4) all match.

Goal:

By the fourth index card, ALL students should have the SAME answer, because the details provided were very specific. The student who receives the most points for each appropriate response wins a reinforcer of their choice.

Example of index cards:

1. Example #1:
   • Card 1 – Name an animal (many different answers-general)
     
   • Card 2 – Name an animal that lives in a zoo (many different answers-general)
     
   • Card 3 – Name an animal that lives in a zoo that eats leaves (a few different answers-more specific)
     
   • Card 4 – Name an animal that lives in a zoo that eats leaves with a long neck and spots (only one-two appropriate responses-very specific)
2. Example #2:
   • Card 1 – Name a drink (many different answers-general)
     
   • Card 2 – Name a drink that is cold (many different answers-general)
     
   • Card 3 – Name a drink that is cold and is made from a fruit (a few different answers-more specific)
     
   • Card 4 – Name a drink that is cold and is made from a fruit that is sour and yellow and you drink in the summertime (only one appropriate response-very specific)

E-Mail

Erin E.

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