This game enhances observational skills and requires learners to use oral language to describe, compare, and contrast information. This language of classification is important for young children as it provides them with a means to organize and understand their world.
Materials:
– none
Grouping: partners
Playing the Game
- Stand facing your partner. Decide who will be Partner A and Partner B.
- Partner A goes first and examines Partner B carefully, looking for things that are the same about both partners (e.g., “We are both wearing T-shirts.” “We both have short hair.” “We both have freckles.”).
- On the signal, switch roles and Partner B looks for similarities.
- On the next signal, switch roles again and this time look for things that are different (e.g., “I am wearing a blue T-shirt and you are wearing a green T-shirt.” “We are both wearing running shoes but my shoes are black and yours are white.” “I have brown hair and you have blonde hair.”)
- On the final signal, switch roles one more time and look for differences.
- Share your ideas with the whole class.
Variation
- Use the Conversation Cards from the Kindergarten Oral Language Kit and provide each pair of students with a card. Have partners meet with another pair to compare the images on their conversation cards. Ask, “What is the same about your cards? What is different about your cards?” Hold a whole class discussion so students can share their discoveries.